Anyone who has ever heard the term “commonwealth” and been confused as to its precise meaning should immediately seek out and read Sir Thomas Smith’s De Republica Anglorum. Of course, the writing style is likely to make any deeper understanding of this complex political term a tricky situation at best for all but the most advanced readers. Not because it was written in Latin, however. One would be forgiven for naturally assuming this is yet another text written by an English writer in Latin for no particular reason other than tradition, but that is not the case. In fact, one can spend a good chunk of money purchasing first editions of translations of the tome into Latin which are notoriously lacking in appropriate—and sometimes even adequate—translation.
One need not be a top of the line translator to figure out what the title becomes in good old familiar English. Essentially, it means “the English Republic.” One could argue over the exactitude of that phrase if one is so inclined and has time to waste. Simply opening to the table of contents reveals, however, it is entirely appropriate and adequate. Among the chapter titles:
“Of the diversities of common wealths or government.”
“Of the absolute king.”
“Of the Parliament and the authority thereof”
“Of the Constables.”
“Wives and marriages.”
And, well, that’s the general idea. Distilled down to a single sentence, De Republica Anglorum is a comprehensive portrait of British society roughly around the time that the reign of King Henry VIII ended and Queen Elizabeth I began. Although written between 1652 and 1656, the book was not actually published until 1583 by which time Elizabeth had already occupied the throne for around a quarter century.
The opening chapter outlines in fastidious detail the various definitions of that tricky term “commonwealth.” It is worth noting that even way back then before some U.S. states would adopt the term and expand upon its meaning, Smith describes three different iterations. But this is where the good news arrives and it is news which makes the reading of the book quick if not necessarily easy. Chapter 19, for instance, is subtitled simply “Of Esquiers.” Now, “esquire” is another term more relatable to Brits than Americans that causes some confusion. Perhaps not as much as “commonwealth” but even so. And yet, the entirety of Chapter 19 stretches from about two-thirds of the way down page 37 all the way to about a fifth of the way down page 38.
Here is the centerpiece of this analysis of Sir Thomas Smith’s De Republica Anglorum, foregoing all detail about what the book is actually about. That has been noted already: it is a comprehensive portrait of life in early Elizabethan England. It is not so much what the book is about as it is how what the book is about is presented. And the way it is presented is, somewhat remarkably, perfect for the age of social media and texting. The chapter are all in bite-sized chunks. One could literally work their way through a good five or ten chapters just during a quick trip to the bathroom. Modern readers will draw a kinship with this “old book” much more quickly than with most others because the structure of composition seems so strangely familiar.
The chapters are short and to the point; like a text message or social media post. All of them take as their subject only that which is foreshadowed in the title. The reader is in and then out quickly. De Republica Anglorum is quite literally a book one could read while waiting in line at a fast food restaurant without worrying about losing one’s place when they come back to it later on. It is possible to start a chapter and finish it and have time to mull it over in the mind before moving onto the next subject. Sir Thomas Smith was a writer well ahead of his time.
