AT first sight, this map appears very extraordinary; but when I came to compare it with those of Britain, in Ptolemy, and other old geographers, I was much surprised to find how far it exceeds them: that in the oldest editions of Ptolemy is very mean, and especially erroneous, in turning all the major part of Scotland toward the east, instead of the north. Printed at Ulm, 1482.
I have Schottus’s edition at Argenson, 1513, with Mirandula’s translation.
Also another edition, 1540, at Basil, by Munster: but the map of Britain and Ireland, in all, poor and jejune.
The description in Ptolemy is composed from two separate pieces; one, a map of all the country north of Coria, or of the prætentura in Scotland, which Agricola made: this, I say, when they came to join it to the map of the rest of the island, they placed it eastward, instead of northward; and from this erroneous map Ptolemy composed his description of Britain. This map, in other respects, is very empty and incorrect: our author himself finds fault with it.
Mercator afterwards made his map for the next edition of Ptolemy, somewhat improved; but the northern part, or that of Scotland, still aukwardly bent toward the east.
Consequent to this, Ortelius his map is much improved; the northern part placed properly: yet in an unseemly manner, as well as out of the rules of geography, he turns the western side of Britain and Ireland upward in the plan, instead of the northern, agreeable to our present geographical charts.
Next follows our Richard of Cirencester’s map, which exceeds them all, beyond compare; and the more we consider it, the more we approve: it is only equalled by his written description, or chorography of Britain; but he turned his map with the east side uppermost, instead of the north. We easily discern, how far it is preferred to the Brittania Romana of the excellent Mr. Camden, whose judgement and diligence we have reason to admire.
There are in Brittain, says our author, cities of greater eminence XCII. of greatest XXXIII. I give the modern names.
Municipia II.
Verolanium, Verlam cester, St. Alban’s.
Eboracum, York; olim Colonia, legio Sexta.
Colonies IX.
Londinium Augusta, London.
Camulodunum: legio gemina Martia XIV. Colchester.
Rhutupis, Sandwich. Richborough.
Therma, Aquæ Solis, Bath.
Isca Silurum, legio secunda, Augusta, Britannica, Caerleon, Wales.
Deva, legio Cretica, XX. V. V. West Chester.
Glevum, legio Claudia, VII. Gloucester.
Lindum colonia, Lincoln.
Camboritum, Chesterford, Cambridgeshire.
Civitates Latio jure donatæ X.
Durnomagus, Caster by Peterborough.
Cataracton, Catteric, Yorkshire.
Cambodunum, Alkmundbury, Yorkshire.
Coccium, Burton, north of Lancaster.
Lugubalia, Carlisle.
Pteroton, Alata castra, Inverness.
Victoria, Perth.
Theodosia, Dunbriton.
Corinium Dobunorum, Cirencester.
Sorbiodunum, Old Sarum.
Stipendiariæ XII.
Venta Silurum, Caerwent.
Venta Belgarum, Wintchester.
Venta Icenorum, Caster by Norwich.
Segontium, Carnarvon.
Muridunum, Seaton, Dorsetshire.
Ragæ Coritanorum, Ratæ, Leicester.
Cantiopolis, Durovernum, Canterbury.
Durinum, Dorchester.
Isca Dumnoniorum, Exeter.
Bremenium, Ruchester.
Vindonum, Silchester.
Durobrovis, Rochester.
This is a most curious catalogue of matters hitherto we were ignorant of; what British cities were municipia, what Roman colonies, what free of Rome, what stipendiary. Colonies lived under the Roman laws; municipia, under their own.