The concept of Revolution in 17th century England and translations from Latin of William Camden's «Britannia»

Abstract

The article examines the evolution of the idea of the revolution in England in the 17th century. This evolution can be outlined in how the word ‘revolution’ was being employed in translating from Latin William Camden’s ‘Britannia’. Two translations done – one at the start and the other at the close of the century – allow tracing the semantic change that occurred in the usage of the word ‘revolution’ on the course of the century. This evolution changes the meaning of the word and pushes it closer to modern understanding of ‘revolution’ as an event of considerable social and political significance and change. An attempt is made to explain why exactly this word came to denote one of the key events of Modern history. The word ‘revolution’ was being widely used in England of the late sixteenth – early seventeenth century and served to connect everyday secular and mundane ideas and notions to heavenly, more elevated level. The character of the employment of the word provided for the possibility of its secularisation and direct social and political usage. Particular stages of this process are shown by the analysis of its role in the English translations of various concepts and ideas of original Latin text by William Camden.