Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Cosway, Richard" to "Coucy, Le Châtelain de" Volume 7, Slice 5

This slice of the eleventh‑edition encyclopedia presents a compact yet thorough collection of entries that run alphabetically from the English miniaturist Richard Cosway to the medieval French troubadour Coucy. Each article offers clear, factual summaries of lives, places and cultural terms, and the editors have taken care to smooth out typographical quirks, ensuring a smooth listening experience. The range of subjects—artists, poets, geographic regions and historical figures—illustrates the breadth of knowledge compiled in this reference work.

The entry on Richard Cosway traces the rise of one of the eighteenth‑century’s most celebrated miniature painters. It follows his early schooling, rapid entry into the Royal Academy, and the high‑society patronage that made his delicate portraits famous, including the celebrated likeness of Madame du Barry. The article also touches on his marriage to Maria Hadfield, her later work in girls’ education, and the lasting presence of his miniatures in royal and museum collections. A brief sketch of Rodrigo Cota de Maguaque adds a glimpse of late‑medieval Spanish poetry, rounding out the slice with literary depth.