S6 Ep2: Mapping Albion with Zakia Sewell

In this episode, host Jerry sits down with broadcaster, producer, writer and DJ, Zakia Sewell. Together they discuss her latest book, Finding Albion, which chronicles her journey across the British Isles to explore its seasonal myths, enduring legends, and deep-rooted rituals. Zakia shares the map featured in the book, created with artist Alex Merry - a playful illustrative map of England, Scotland and Wales pinpointing the sites encountered on her quest to find folkloric Albion. Jerry and Zakia also take a look at an early seventeenth century work in the Ex Carta collection of literary maps: ‘Poly Olbion’ by Michael Drayton (1613), an allegorical poem about England and Wales which is accompanied by a series of whimsical copper-engraved county maps. Tracing back to fourth-century BCE Greek geographers, 'Albion' is recorded as the earliest name for Britain. The term traditionally translates to 'white land' (derived from the Latin 'albus') which the Romans attributed to Dover's striking chalk cliffs, but as Zakia reveals, the name carries another origin story! Follow along with this episode at oculi-mundi.com/zakia-sewell From historians, scientists and writers, to creatives and cultural custodians, people have used maps as a source of knowledge, guidance, and inspiration for centuries. Join us as map historian Jerry Brotton invites each guest to share a map close to their heart - and unfurl the ideas, inspirations, and personal stories behind it. If you’re fascinated by history, art, adventure and culture, why not become part of a global community of fellow explorers as we ask - what’s YOUR map? The award-winning What’s Your Map? is brought to you by Oculi Mundi (‘eyes of the world’), the online home of The Sunderland Collection of antique cartography. For a fully immersive experience, visit Oculi-Mundi.com/podcast to explore each of the maps as you listen, and find more information and rabbit-holes about each guest. Image detail: Map of Albion ©Alex Merry/Zakia Sewell. Image courtesy of the Artist, and Hodder Press. All views and opinions expressed by guests on the podcast are entirely their own and do not represent those of The Sunderland Collection or Whistledown Productions.