The Castel of Memorie

William Fulwood’s The Castel of Memorie, a 1562 English translation of Guglielmo Gratarolo’s original Latin version, provides a penetrating view of early modern memory practices. The text begins with a definition of memory, then appeals to its readers to strengthen their powers of recollection. By drawing on the era’s knowledge in medicine, astronomy, anatomy, and philosophy, The Castel of Memorie offered sixteenth-century readers methods to improve their memories. Today, the text stands as an important record of early modern thought. This edition offers the first modern publication of The Castel of Memorie.