This book is volume 2 in a series of 4 travel logs originally written by William Camden in 1586. Camden traveled extensively through England and Wales, but likely never set foot in Scotland or Ireland. Camden traveled extensively through England and Wales, but likely never set foot in Scotland or Ireland. He compiled Britannia through the use of his personal notes, as well as the writings and findings of other naturalists, academics, and writers.

Camden wrote Britannia as a display of national pride aimed to show Britain's history, institutions, and inhabitants tracing back to the Romans. In doing so, Camden sought to enhance England's standing among European nations by demonstrating the antiquity of its origins and asserting Britain as part of the new Elizabethan world of scholarship.

The first edition of Britannia consisted of a small octavo. Throughout his lifetime, Camden added to the work. After his death, translators and naturalists contributed their own additions; this set of volumes was published well after Camden's death and contains additions from an unknown number of translators, naturalists, and scholars.

Britannia is separated into three distinct sections. The first section contains a chronological survey of British history that traces the origins of the peoples who formed British nationalities. The second and third sections are arranged topographically and contain narratives that link all regions of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the adjacent isles.

Select plates and maps have been digitized.