William Camden’s Followers (7)

William Camden

Born

in London, England

March 23, 1551

Died

November 09, 1623

Genre

History, Antiquities

Influences

John Leland ...more

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William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, and officer of arms. He wrote the first topographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

He was born in London and attended Christ's Hospital and St Paul's School. In 1566 entered Oxford University, attending Magdalen College, Broadgates Hall, and Christ Church. It was at Christ that he became acquainted with Sir Philip Sidney who encouraged his antiquarian interests. Camden returned to London in 1571 without taking a degree. In 1575 however, he became the Usher of Westminster School, a position that gave him the freedom to travel and pursue his antiquarian researches.

In 1577, with the encouragemen William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, and officer of arms. He wrote the first topographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

He was born in London and attended Christ's Hospital and St Paul's School. In 1566 entered Oxford University, attending Magdalen College, Broadgates Hall, and Christ Church. It was at Christ that he became acquainted with Sir Philip Sidney who encouraged his antiquarian interests. Camden returned to London in 1571 without taking a degree. In 1575 however, he became the Usher of Westminster School, a position that gave him the freedom to travel and pursue his antiquarian researches.

In 1577, with the encouragement of Abraham Ortelius, Camden began his great work Britannia, a topographical and historical survey of all of Great Britain and Ireland. His stated intention was "to restore antiquity to Britaine, and Britaine to its antiquity." The first edition was published in London, 1586, in Latin. The work was very popular, going through seven editions by 1607. The first English translation, prepared by Philemon Holland (probably under Camden's direction) appeared in 1610.

In 1593 he became Headmaster of Westminster School. He held the post for four years, leaving it when he was appointed Clarenceux King of Arms. The appointment to King of Arms, however, roused the jealousy of the herald Ralph Brooke who published in retaliation an attack on Britannia, charging Camden with inaccuracy and plagiarism. Camden successfully defended himself against the charges in subsequent editions of the work.

In 1597 Lord Burghley suggested that Camden write a history of Queen Elizabeth's reign. Camden began this work in 1607 in Latin. It was entitled, Annales Rerum Gestarum Angliae et Hiberniae Regnate Elizabetha. The first part told of Elizabeth's reign up to 1597 and appeared in 1615. The second part was not completed until in 1617, and was not even published until 1625 following Camden's death. The Annales is one of the greatest of English histories and had a great impact on the later image of the Elizabethan age. ...more

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William Camden’s books

Average rating: 3.65 · 20 ratings · 5 reviews · 184 distinct works

	History of the Most Renowned and Victorious Princess Elizabeth Late Queen of England: Selected Chapters. by William Camden, Wallace T. MacCaffrey (Editor) 3.13 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 1616 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Bishopric of Durham: In a Modern English Version by William Camden, Simon Webb (Editor) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Remaines of a greater worke, concerning Britaine, the inhabitants thereof, their languages, names, surnames, empreses, wise speeches, poësies, and epitaphes (1605) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2010	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Greek Grammar for the use of Westminster School really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Remains Concerning Britain liked it 3.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 1605 — 42 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Institutio Graecae Grammatices, 1595 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2010 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Britannia: or, A Chorographical Description of Great Britain and Ireland, together with the Adjacant Islands; written in Latin by William Camden, Clarenceux, King at Arms, and translated into English with Additions and Improvements by William Camden, Edmund Gibson (Editor) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1586 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Visitation of the county of Rutland in the year 1618-19. Taken by William Camden, Clarenceaux king of arms 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2008 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	I Spit My Last Breath at Thee: Shakespeare in Love 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The visitation of the county of Leicester in the year 1619 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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William Camden’s Followers (7)

William Camden

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William Camden’s books