William Camden (1551-1623) was a historian and antiquary. 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. It was the first great history of the Islands and was first published in 1586. An instant success it would go on to many editions over the ensuing two centuries. The first five editions bore no maps although the idea had been visited at an early stage. Is was not until this work first published in 1607 that a series of county maps was included. It was the only edition of Camden’s important Britannia published during his life with maps. Many of the maps are the first of the county as Saxton grouped many together on the same plate. Provenance: bookplate of James Comerford. Shirley BL T.Camb 1e; Skelton 23; STC 4508.