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NORDEN, John : Speculum Britanniae: An Historical and Chorographical Description of Middlesex and Hartfordshire

Daniel Browne, London, 1723

Quarto (235 x 180 mm.), full brown cloth library binding with blind embossed stamp to the upper cover, with gilt title to the spine. (iv), 24, (viii), 50 [49 & 50 unnumbered], (iv), (vi), 31, (1, advert) pp. With 3 divisional decorated engraved title pages, together with a general typographic title page, printed in red and black. The introductory page to ‘Nordens Preparative’ is in decorated engraved borders. Dedication to and engraved arms of Elizabeth I, 4 engraved double page maps and plans, engraved head & tail pieces, initials & coats of arms in text. Lacking initial engraved and typographic titles, otherwise fine.

John Norden (c.1547-1625) is noted as being the first person to undertake a complete series of county histories. Unfortunately he suffered financial issues during his life which limited the reach of the project. This is largely due to "the Puritan tracts he wrote to raise money and his flattering dedication to Essex shortly before the uprising of 1599 set him so far out of political favour that he never received the patronage necessary to finance expensive surveys" (Globe). The first part was successfully published in 1593 which covered Middlesex, Hertfordshire followed in 1598. Both were published at Norden's expense. No others were published during his lifetime but he left a few further county histories in manuscript form. After dedications to Queen Elizabeth and Sir William Cecil this reprint entitled 'Speculum Britanniae' begins with a lengthy introduction by John Norden. This is followed by the first part describing Middlesex which includes three engraved maps of the county, London and Westminster engraved by John Senex after those of John Norden. Then there is a description of Hertfordshire complete with engraved map of the county by John Senex after that of John Norden. Of the original manuscripts by Norden that of Middlesex survives in one example without map. The Hertfordshire survives in two examples, both with manuscript maps, one in private hands. Provenance: London Library duplicate; bookplate of Heather Lawrence inside front cover; Marrin's Bookshop; private English collection. Darlington and Howgego (1964) 5; ESTC T136123; Hodson (1974) 26; Kitchen (1997); Lawrence (1989); Upcott (1968) p. 582; Worms & Baynton-Williams (2011).

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