Summary
This book is a county history and antiquarian survey, compiled from original documents, personal inspection, and credited authorities. Its central argument is that recording the lives and actions of good people encourages readers to imitate their virtues, while examples of those who suffered for evil deeds deter wickedness. The author presents his work as a truthful, painstaking compilation, acknowledging the difficulty, length of time, and expense of gathering materials. He addresses potential criticism by noting that it is impossible to please all readers, but asserts that his history contains more of the county's past than was ever published before.
The book details specific artifacts, such as a knight's tomb with gilt armor, a coat of arms (ermine, a cross sable), and decorative emblems including a spread eagle, a dog meeting a hare, and a lion couchant with an eagle picking out its eyes. These are interpreted as signifying the deceased's delight in war and rural exercises. The author also describes a representation of a building with arches and two joined hands holding up a book, which he takes to signify the founding of the isle. A reader takes away a model of historical methodology based on primary sources and firsthand observation, with a stated commitment to delivering nothing but truth.
Key concepts
- History is the light of truth, and life of memory — A principle stating that historical records illuminate truth and preserve memory, as observed by "the great Orator."
- Emulation of virtues through report — The idea that recording noble actions of predecessors incites the mind to imitate their virtues.
- Deterrence through terrible examples — The concept that examples of those who suffered misfortunes as just rewards for evil doings affright people from base actions.
- Personal inspection as authority — The method of relying on the author's own viewing of every particular place in the county to ensure accuracy.
- Coat of arms (ermine, a cross sable) — A heraldic description of a knight's breastplate, indicating his family lineage and status.
- Signification of emblems — The interpretation of decorative symbols (e.g., a spread eagle, dog fighting a lion) as intimating the deceased's chief delights in war and rural exercises.
From the book
Title: Omeros by Derek Walcott← An essay towards a topographical history of the county of Norfolk ( 1810 ) Francis Blomefield (Volumes 1 to 5) Charles Parkin (Volumes 6 to 11) → Written c. 1736; published 1805-10. 478321 An essay towards a topographical history of the county of Norfolk 1810 Francis Blomefield (Volumes 1 to 5) Charles Parkin (Volumes 6 to 11) Instructions for use edit Each volume (with the exception of volumes 3 and 4) contains details about three or four hundreds, which each contain information on ~ a dozen villages in that hundred. If you don't know which hundred you want, the volume pages list the villages contained in each. Contents edit Introduction . Volume 1 : Diss . Giltcross . Shropham . Volume 2 : Thetford. Grimeshou. Wayland. Forehoe. Volume 3 : The History of…
Popular questions readers ask
- Blomefield explicitly states he was "necessarily obliged to say something by way of Introduction" and dedicates his work to the memory of the deceased Bishop. Explain, as if to a peer, why this act of dedication was so profoundly important to Blomefield, connecting his explanation to the broader social and scholarly context of his era regarding patronage and gratitude.
- The "topographical history" is organized meticulously by "hundreds" containing "villages." If you were to explain Blomefield's fundamental goal in creating this work, how would you articulate how this specific structural choice directly supports and enhances the delivery of a "topographical history"?
- This work was "Written c. 1736; published 1805-10." What are the potential challenges and unique opportunities that such a significant time gap between composition and publication could present for a historian seeking to create an accurate and comprehensive historical record?
- Blomefield credits the Bishop of St. Asaph with not only providing records but also helping "fix my method, and revise my collections." How does this detailed acknowledgment of collaboration inform our understanding of scholarly research practices and the concept of "authorship" in the 18th century?
- The title includes the phrase "An essay towards a topographical history." What does the inclusion of "an essay towards" suggest about Blomefield's perspective on the completeness or ongoing nature of his monumental undertaking, and how might this phrasing invite a specific reading experience?