John Milton (1608–1674) The History of Britain, That part especially now call’d England. From the first Traditional Beginning, continu’d to the Norman Conquest ... (London: James Allestry, 1670). Ee.4.12, frontispiece and title page.

Milton began work on his History in around 1649, but completed a further two books of it in the 1650s. However, he did not return to and revise his manuscript for publication until the last years of his life. It covers the history of ancient Britain through to the Norman conquest, mixing a hotchpotch of historical sources with unfavourable commentary on the recently restored monarchy. The frontispiece by William Faithorne is perhaps the best-known likeness of the poet, showing him at the time of Paradise Lost’s composition.

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