This is from the sixth edition of William Camden’s ‘Britannia’ first published in 1586. It was the last to be published in his lifetime and the first to be illustrated with county maps although this had been contemplated since at least 1589. Camden (1551-1623) was an antiquary and historian. An academic by profession he would become the headmaster of Westminster School in 1593. He spent much of his time travelling and collecting material for his highly respected ‘Britannia’. The first printed map of Bedfordshire from the third fully illustrated edition of William Camden’s classic work. An example of the second state. Chambers no. 5.ii; Chubb 18; Shirley BL T.Camd 1e; Skelton 5; STC 4508; Taylor ‘Late Tudor and Early Stuart Geography’ pp. 9- 13.