A 16th-century scholar who transcribed and published ancient English laws and customs, making them accessible to the public for the first time.
William Lambarde is renowned for being the author of the first English county history, A Perambulation of Kent, published in 1576, as well as other influential works on legal subjects and politics. His writings have left an indelible mark on the understanding of English law, history, and governance.
Born on 18 October 1536 in London, William Lambarde was the son of John Lambarde, a draper who served as Master of the Drapers Company, alderman, and sheriff of London. The family home was the Manor of Westcombe in Greenwich.
In 1556, Lambarde was admitted to Lincoln's Inn, where he studied law. His early writing endeavors were encouraged by Laurence Nowell, who motivated him to publish a collection of Anglo-Saxon laws, Archaionomia, in 1568. This publication featured a woodcut map, known as Lambard's map, which is believed to be the first map of any sort designed, printed, and published in England.
In 1570, Lambarde completed A Perambulation of Kent, which circulated in manuscript before being printed in 1576. The book's popularity led to a second edition in 1596. Although he considered writing a similar work for all of Britain, he abandoned the idea when he learned that William Camden was working on a similar project.
On 11 September 1570, Lambarde married Jane Multon, who unfortunately passed away in 1573. He resided in the Manor of St. Clere in Ightham. Following Laurence Nowell's death, Lambarde inherited his estate.
William Lambarde's contributions to the fields of antiquarianism, law, and politics have had a lasting impact on our understanding of English history and governance. His works continue to be studied and appreciated by scholars and historians to this day.
Lambarde's pioneering work on county histories paved the way for future generations of antiquarians and historians. His influence can be seen in the development of local history studies and the preservation of historical records.
Through his writings, Lambarde has left an indelible mark on English law, history, and governance, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in the field of antiquarianism.
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