History of the book in Devon. D-11 Early evidence of literacy. Covers the period from 400 BCE to 670 CE including the correspondence of Boniface

1. The heritage of the book in Devon and Exeter
D-11
Early evidence of literacy
in Devon
A series of presentations
to celebrate the designation
of Exeter
as UNESCO city of literature
in 2019
The book fool, from The ship of fools,
translated by Alexander Barclay in 1509.
The first book by a Devon writer
to appear in print.

5. Durotrigian coinage
Bronze staters found in
1868 at Cotley Farm,
Chardstock, near
Axminster.
Royal Albert Memorial
Museum
Dobunni coinage
Redrawings of inscribed
gold staters

6. Roman tile from Exeter with first letters of alphabet, 55/65 CE
Royal Albert Memorial Museum

7. Sherd from pottery mixing bowl
found in Bartholomew Street,
Exeter with stamp of
manufacturer VITANII, around
60-75 CE.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Sherd from Samian ware cup
found in Goldsmith Street, Exeter
with ownership inscription L
IVLI IPPONIA, around 55-65
CE.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum

8. Plaster fragments from wall
of Exeter’s Roman
legionary bath house
scattered when it was
demolished around 80 CE.
Graffiti includes the words
CAVE CANEM – beware
of the dog.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum
Wooden writing tablet with
inscripton RO | ARM found
in Roman militray supply
base on Topsham Road
active around 55-75 CE
Royal Albert Memorial Museum

9. Granite Roman milestone,
found in Mynheer Farm, near
Redruth. The inscription reads:
IMP CAES ANT GOR DIA NO
PIO FEL (for the emperor,
caesar, Antonius Gordianus
pious fortunate.
Between AD 238 and 244.
Roman milestone made of slate,
in the parish church of St
Materiana at Tintagel. The
inscription, on the upper part of
the column, records the emperor
Caesar Galerius Valerius
Licinianus Licinius
Between 308 and 324.

10. Roman Emperors who issued coins featuring Britannia
41-54 Claudius
117-138 Hadrian
138-161 Antoninus Pius
177-192 Commodus
193-211 Septimius Severus
198-217 Caracalla
209-212 Geta
Coins of British usurpers
287-293 Carausius
293-296 Allectus
Claudius
Antoninus Pius
Septimius Severus
Carausius

11. Inscribed stone in Yealmpton church yard, Devon. Engraved
by J. Storer for the Antiquarian and Topographical Cabinet
from a drawing by S. Prout. – London : Published by W.
Clarke, 1808. Copper line engraving 60 x 87 mm. – Somers
Cocks 3474.

12. Inscription on front face of Samson's Cross, the
gritstone base of a Celtic cross at St Illtyd's Church,
Llantwit Major, South Glamorgan, Wales. 10th
century. Latin inscription reading SAMSON
POSUIT HANC CRUCEM PRO ANIMA EIUS
(Samson placed his cross for his soul).
Abbott Samson's Pillar Cross of the late 9th century, St Illtyd's
Church, Llantwit Major. Inscription IN NOMINE DI SUMMI
INCIPIT CRUX SALVATORIS QUAE PREPARAVIT SAMSON
ABATI PRO ANIMA SUA ET PRO ANIMA IUTHAHELO REX
ET ARTMALI ET TECANI (In the name of the most high (God)
begins the cross of the (Saviour) which Samson the Abbot prepared
for his soul, and for the soul of Iuthahelo (Judwal) the King and of
Arthmael and of Tecan).

13. Exeter working papers
in book history
This talk is one of a series produced
during Lockdown 2020 to celebrate the
designation of Exeter as UNESCO city
of literature in 2019.
Most of them are also accessible
through the
Exeter working papers,
Devon bibliography and
Etched on Devon’s Memory
websites as part of the
World Book Heritage
initiative.
The book fool from Alexander Barclays’ translation of
The ship of fools (1509)