|
The First Art Newspaper on the Net |
|
Established in 1996 |
|
Friday, November 22, 2024 |
|
British Library researcher throws new light on Elizabeth I |
|
|
An opening from one of the manuscripts of Camden's Annals: © The British Library Board.
|
LONDON.- For centuries, dozens of passages in the original manuscript drafts of William Camdens Annals have been invisible to the naked eye. In many instances, pieces of paper were pasted over the original text and the passages over-written, implying that Camden was concerned not to offend his patron, King James. Now, thanks to advances in enhanced imaging, these concealed lines can be read for the first time using transmitted light, offering a deeper insight into the political machinations of Elizabeths court.
Camdens Annals is one of the most valuable sources on early modern Britain and is considered to be the official contemporary account of Elizabeth Is reign (15581603). Written in Latin, the text is based on first-hand evidence such as eyewitness reports and official parliamentary records, collected by the historian William Camden (d. 1623). The Annals was started in Elizabeths lifetime but was completed in the first decades of the 1600s at the command of Elizabeths successor, King James I of England (James VI of Scotland).
Often regarded as the most important source in shaping the image of Elizabeth I and her reign, modern historians have commonly relied on Camdens Annals as an impartial and supposedly accurate record. This new research reveals that key sections of the Annals were revised before publication, including Elizabeth Is obituary, and the accounts of King James VI of Scotland and Elizabeths arch-rival King Philip II of Spain. It implies that Camdens Annals were deliberately rewritten to present a version of Elizabeths reign that was more favourable to her successor.
Did James plot to assassinate Elizabeth?
In 1598, a man named Valentine Thomas confessed to having been sent by King James to murder Queen Elizabeth. Newly studied passages reveal that Camden initially intended to keep this shocking information in the Annals, but he subsequently amended and softened the confession to say that Thomas had accused the King of Scots with ill affection towards the Queen. James had never plotted against Elizabeth, but he was highly sensitive to any slander against him, having sent other writers to prison for offending him.
How did Philip II die?
The section of the Annals that covers the death of Elizabeths arch-rival King Philip II in 1598 was also amended. The original text, which hasnt been seen for 400 years, reports that Philip had no imperial skills. The original drafts also reveal that he had died of phthiriasis, a gruesome disease by which parasites multiply in the human body, which was seen as a divine punishment from God. These phrases were removed so as not stain Philips legacy and to protect Camden from any allegations of bias in his history.
Accusing Rome of plotting against Elizabeth I
In 1570, Elizabeth was excommunicated by Pope Pius V. It appears that Camden intended to paraphrase this episode, before he changed his mind and decided instead to include the whole document of excommunication, effectively removing his own commentary on why this had happened. His original paraphrase attributes the Popes motives to spiritual warfare, which was covered over and replaced in the published version with the statement that Pius was creating secret plots against Elizabeth. By removing the previously inflammatory wording, Camden made the official record more neutral in tone.
Did Elizabeth I name James as her successor?
Camdens Annals ends with Elizabeth Is obituary, in which she is said to have named James VI of Scotland as her successor on her deathbed. Elizabeth never married and she died childless in 1603, to be succeeded on the English throne by Marys son, James VI of Scotland. Analysis of the manuscript drafts shows that the deathbed scene was a fabricated addition that Camden did not intend originally to put into his history. He presumably included it to appease James, so that his succession looked more predetermined than it had actually been. Elizabeth was too ill to speak in her final hours and no other historical evidence points to this deathbed scene being true.
The manuscript
The handwritten manuscript drafts are still being analysed in detail, with the previously hidden sections being revealed for the first time and translated from Latin into English. This research has been undertaken by DPhil student Helena Rutkowska, as part of a Collaborative Doctoral Award at the University of Oxford in partnership with the British Library and Open University, and it represents a significant finding in early modern historical scholarship.
Helena Rutkowska, DPhil student at the University of Oxford, said: William Camdens Annals has long been regarded the first history of Elizabeths reign and its been a thrill to have the chance to use new imaging technology thanks to my collaborative PhD with the British Library to explore hundreds of previously covered passages in Camdens text for the first time. While historians have studied the Annals in print before, an in-depth analysis of the manuscript drafts has never been done and the sheer amount of new information we have been able to discover regarding Elizabeths reign has been astounding.
Julian Harrison, Lead Curator Medieval Historical and Literary Manuscripts, at the British Library, said: This year marks 50 years of the British Library, and while its an opportunity to reflect on the Librarys history its also an opportunity for us to look forward, and explore the technologies that are helping us to reveal new findings from our collections. We hope by using enhanced imaging to unveil passages that have been hidden for 400 years we will help researchers now and in the future to see Elizabeth Is reign with a new, richer understanding.
|
|
Today's News
August 16, 2023
A museum of 'Electrifying Frankness' weighs dialing it down
Brice Marden: A legacy beyond the monochromes
This ancient whale may have been the heaviest animal ever
Lorenzo Quinn bronze to be offered at La Belle Epoque Auction
How old is that polar bear? The answer is in its blood.
An oil painting by Louis C. Tiffany and a French carved walnut vestment headline auction
British Library researcher throws new light on Elizabeth I
Nationalmuseum acquires iconic portrait of Axel von Fersen
'Where Land Meets Sea' the work of six South Korean contemporary artists feature of Stroll Garden exhibition in NY
Jack Shainman Gallery announces representation of the Estate of Emanoel Araújo
Kerstin Honeit, The Society of Affective Archives, and Rodolfo Andaur works featured at PHI Foundation
Rago and Toomey & Co. present historic auction 'Roycroft: Life in Abundance, The Collection of Richard Blacher'
Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive presents new work by Kenneth Tam
Witness and chronicler of the world, works by photographer and poet Allen Ginsberg featured at Fahey/Klein Gallery
'On the Value of Time: New Presentation of the Collection of Contemporary Art' at Museum Ludwig
Thamesmead's talented youth shone at the annual, community-powered festival
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki publications and branding internationally honoured
Is Albarino the next great white wine? It depends.
Rare X-Men #1 comic book from 1963 up for auction in celebration of the 60th Anniversary
Museum for Art in Wood presents new exhibition 'Placing: The Windgate Arts Residency Program in Wood 2023'
Magoo, rapper and former Timbaland collaborator, dies at 50
Antique Gold Rush-era bottles, stock certificates, coins, tokens and postcards do well at auction
Strawser Auction Group announces major Majolica collection
At Time Spans Festival, New York shows off new music
Peppa Pig House Wallpaper: Adding Whimsy and Charm to Kids' Spaces
Unlock Business Growth With Effective Cleveland SEO Services
Why You Should Choose a Melcher Ramp Alternative
|
|
|
|
|
Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography, Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs, Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, . |
|
|
|
Royalville Communications, Inc produces:
|
|
|
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful
|
|