Albion

Albion is an old name for Great Britain. It comes from the Greek language and is now only used in poetry.

Many Celtic languages have a name for Scotland that is related to Albion. For example, it is called Alba in Scottish Gaelic, Albain in Irish, and Alban in Welsh and Cornish.

At one time, names like New Albion and Albionoria were suggested as names of Canada when it was being formed. The explorer Francis Drake also called a place in what is now California New Albion after he landed there in 1579.

Etymology

The name "Albion" is thought to come from an old Greek word, Ἀλβίων, mentioned by writers like pseudo-Aristotle and Pliny. Similar words appear in other ancient languages, such as in Gaulish and Welsh, meaning "world" or "land." Some believe it might be linked to the idea of something "white," perhaps referring to the famous white Cliffs of Dover. Others suggest it meant "the world above" in contrast to the world below.

Attestation

Main article: Britain (place name)

The name Albion is an old way to call Great Britain. Ancient writers like Pytheas and Isidore of Charax used this name. By the 1st century AD, Albion clearly meant Great Britain. Over time, other names like Britannia became more common. Poets like William Blake later used Albion again in their work.

Later, English kings like Æthelstan and Edgar the Peaceful used titles that included Albion when they talked about ruling the land.

The giants of Albion

Old stories tell of giants who were the first people or leaders of the land called Albion. The writer John Milton shared this idea in his book from 1670. He said the land was taken over by a giant named Albion, who was the son of a sea god. Albion ruled for 44 years and named the island after himself.

Another old story from the 1100s, written by Geoffrey of Monmouth, says that a leader named Brutus, who came from Troy, was told by a goddess about an island with only a few giants. Brutus and his friends sailed there, liked the place, and decided to live there. They called the island Britain after Brutus, and his people became known as Britons. In this story, the last giant, named Goëmagot, was defeated by one of Brutus's men.