In Search of the Romans: Sir Richard Colt Hoare in Wales

Abstract The eighteenth century saw antiquaries taking an increased interest in evidence arising from the Roman occupation of Britain. Sir Richard Colt Hoare explored Wales. From 1793 to 1804, his tours follow in the footsteps of Giraldus de Barri. His journals describing the Welsh tours are known, except for the year 1804. These have recently been uncovered at Stourhead. The 1804 tour was taken ‘… with a view to … exploring the Roman Roads and Stations through the Principality’. Colt Hoare's translation of the The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin Through Wales , a.d. MCLXXXVIII /by Giraldus de Barri; … , followed in 1806. Comparison of Colt Hoare's journals with his translation of Giraldus' Latin text, which is mostly silent on the Romans, shows how he uses the translation to privilege his observations on Roman Wales.