De Republica Anglorum: By Sir Thomas Smith
De Republica Anglorum was written by Sir Thomas Smith in 1562–5 when he was Queen Elizabeth's ambassador to France. His avowed intention was to describe English social institutions, judicial system and governmental procedures for the benefit of foreigners, explaining in what way the English system 'differs from the others'. A renowned scholar, with considerable experience in government, he succeeded in producing an account which has always been considered a major source of information and insight into Elizabethan England. This edition endeavours to establish the original text as written in the 1560s. The discovery of several manuscript texts written before the 1583 printed edition and their collation with the 1583 edition allow us to see the nature and extent of the alterations made. For the first time one can read De Republica Anglorum without the heavy amending hand of the 1583 editor and approach the text as Smith wrote it in the 1560s. The new text throws light on the old problem of plagiarism in certain chapters of the work and on the question of changing procedures in Elizabethan government.
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De Republica Anglorum: By Sir Thomas Smith
De Republica Anglorum was written by Sir Thomas Smith in 1562–5 when he was Queen Elizabeth's ambassador to France. His avowed intention was to describe English social institutions, judicial system and governmental procedures for the benefit of foreigners, explaining in what way the English system 'differs from the others'. A renowned scholar, with considerable experience in government, he succeeded in producing an account which has always been considered a major source of information and insight into Elizabethan England. This edition endeavours to establish the original text as written in the 1560s. The discovery of several manuscript texts written before the 1583 printed edition and their collation with the 1583 edition allow us to see the nature and extent of the alterations made. For the first time one can read De Republica Anglorum without the heavy amending hand of the 1583 editor and approach the text as Smith wrote it in the 1560s. The new text throws light on the old problem of plagiarism in certain chapters of the work and on the question of changing procedures in Elizabethan government.
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De Republica Anglorum: By Sir Thomas Smith

De Republica Anglorum: By Sir Thomas Smith

De Republica Anglorum: By Sir Thomas Smith

De Republica Anglorum: By Sir Thomas Smith

Overview

De Republica Anglorum was written by Sir Thomas Smith in 1562–5 when he was Queen Elizabeth's ambassador to France. His avowed intention was to describe English social institutions, judicial system and governmental procedures for the benefit of foreigners, explaining in what way the English system 'differs from the others'. A renowned scholar, with considerable experience in government, he succeeded in producing an account which has always been considered a major source of information and insight into Elizabethan England. This edition endeavours to establish the original text as written in the 1560s. The discovery of several manuscript texts written before the 1583 printed edition and their collation with the 1583 edition allow us to see the nature and extent of the alterations made. For the first time one can read De Republica Anglorum without the heavy amending hand of the 1583 editor and approach the text as Smith wrote it in the 1560s. The new text throws light on the old problem of plagiarism in certain chapters of the work and on the question of changing procedures in Elizabethan government.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780521108058
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication date: 02/12/2009
Series: Cambridge Studies in the History and Theory of Politics
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 176
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

Read an Excerpt


APPENDIX A. The first edition of the De Republica appeared in 1583. It was printed by Henry Middleton for Gregory Seton. The second followed in the next year. It is nearly, though not quite, identical with the earlier, the differences, except in the marginalia (see Introd. pp. xliii—xlv), being almost exclusively mere variants in spelling. Even these variations are to some extent explainable when we notice that in the later edition the compositor has made freer use than his predecessor of certain composite double-O's and double-E's, and that this has led him to "full out" his lines with occasional unnecessary mute E's. Thus an earlier "stretes...stretes" has become in 1584 "streets .. .streetes." The third edition comes in 1589. The Latin title is now for the first time Englished. The title-page runs as follows. "The Common-Welth of England, and Maner of Government thereof. Compiled by the honorable Sir Thomas Smith, Knight, Doctor of both lawes, and one of the principal! Secretaries unto two most worthie Princes, King Edward and Queen Elizabeth: with new additions of the cheefe Courts in England, the offices thereof, and their severall functions, by the sayd Author: Never before published. At London. Imprinted by John Windet for Gregorie Seton, and are to be solde at his shoppe under Aldersgate. 1589." The title-page of the fourth is similar (though "Common- Wealth" has advanced a step nearer its modern spelling). "At London. Printed by Valentine Simmes, for Gregorie Seton, and are to be solde at his shoppe under Aldersgate. 1594." These two editions omit the table of contents and make some slight alterations in the marginalia; e.g. the sharp rebuke at the end of thenote to III. 8.—"Litleton seene in the tongues as Sir Thomas Smith was in Litleton "—is dropped. The "...

Table of Contents

Introduction; The first published edition of 1583; The manuscripts; 'A necessarie table of all the principall matters contained in this booke'; Preface to the 1583 edition: 'To The Reader'; Note on the text; De Republica Anglorum; Appendices.
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