Llwyd, Humphrey | The first edition in English, coining the term "British Empire"

Llwyd, Humphrey

The Breviary of Britayne ... lately Englished by Thomas Twyne. [London: Imprinted by Richard Iohnes: and are to be solde at his shop, ioynyng to the southwest doore of Paules Church], 1573

8vo (136 x 83 mm). Title within woodcut typographic border, woodcut decorative initials and tail-pieces; occasional spotting, lightly browned, title laid down with two small losses to corners just touching one border, closely trimmed at head just touching some headlines, **1 and 2 bound after [par.]*⁴, small repair to upper corner of last fol. Nineteenth-century speckled calf, spine gilt and with red morocco label; minor wear to extremities. 

First edition in English. This brief historical and geographical description of Britain first appeared under the title Commentarioli Britannicae descriptionis fragmentum in 1572 and was the first attempt to compile an encapsulation of Britannia tota.

REFERENCE:

STC 16636

PROVENANCE:

Peter Corbett (engraved armorial bookplate, with name in ink beneath)