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Index to the Rolls Series
Compiled by Steven H Silver.
This page owes its existence to Andy Van Dam at Indiana University, Bloomington.
1. Capgrave, John. Chronicle of England. Ed. by F. C. Hingeston, London 1858.
2. Abingdon, Abbey. Chronicon Monasterii de Abingdon. Ed. by J Stevenson. 2 vols. London, 1858.
3. Luard, H. R. (ed.). Lives of Edward the Confessor. London, 1858.
4. Monumenta Franciscana. Ed. by J. S. Brewer and R. Howlett. 2 vols. London, 1858-1882.
5. Netter, Thomas. Fasciculi Zizaniorium Magistri Wyelif cum Tritico. Ed. by W. W. Shirley. London, 1858.
6. Boece, Hector. The buik of(sic) the croniclis of Scotland; or, A metrical version of the History of Hector Boece; by William Stewart. Ed. by W. B. Turnbull. 3 Vols. London. 1858.
7. Capgrave, John. Leber do Illustribus Henricis. Ed. by F. C. Hingeston. London 1858.
8. Thomas of Elmham. Historia Monasterii S. Augustini Cantuariensis, by Thomas of Elmham, formerly Monk and Treasurer of that Foundation. ed. by C. Hardwick, London. 1858.
9. Eulogium (historiarum sive temporis): Chronicon ab orbe condito usque ad annum Domin M.CCC.LXVL., a monacho quodam Malmseburiensi exaratum. Accedunt continuationes duae, quarum una ad annum M.CCC.XIII., altera ad annum M.CCCC.XC. pe ducta est. Ed. by F. S. Haydon. 3 vols. London, 1858-1863.
10. Historia regis Henrici Septimi, a Bernardo Andrea tholosate conscripta; necnon alia quaedam ad eundem regem spectantia (Memorials of Henry VII). London, 1858.
11. Cole, C. A. (ed.). Memorials of Henry the Fifthe, King of England. London 1858.
12. (London Corporation); Munimenta Gildhallae Londoniensis; Liber Albus, Liber Custumarum et Liber Horn, in Archivis Gildhallae asservati. Ed. by H. T. Riley. 3 vols. in 4 London, 1859-1860.
13. Johannes de Oxendes. Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes (to 1293). Ed. by H. Ellis. London, 1859.
14. Wright, Thomas (ed.). Political poems and songs relating to English history, composed during the period from the accession of Edward III to that of Richard III. 2 vols. London, 1859-61.
15. Bacon, Roger. Fr. Rogeri Bacon Opera quaedam hactenus ineditia. I. I. Opus tertium. II. Opus minus. III. compendium philosophiae. Ed. by J. S. Brewer. London, 1859.
16. Bartholomaeus de Cotton. Historia Anglicana (A. D. 449-1298), necnon ejusdem Liber do Archiepiscopis et Episcopis Angliae. Ed. by H. R. Luard. London, 1859.
17. Brut y Tywysogion: the Chronicle of the Princes of Wales. (A. D. 681-1281). Ed. by J. Williams ab Ithel. London, 1860.
18. Hingeston, F. C. (ed.). Royal and Historical letters During the Reign of Henry the Fourth, King of England and France, and Lord of Ireland. Vol. 1.: AD. 1399-1404. London, 1860.
19. Pecock, Reginald. The Repressor of Overmuch Blaming of the Clergy, by Reginald Pecock, sometime Bishop of Chichester. Ed. by C. Babington. 2 vols. London, 1860.
20. Annales Cambriae. (AD. 444-1288). Ed. by J. Williams ab Ithel, M. A. London, 1860.
21. Giraldus. Giraldi Cambrensis opera. Ed. by J. S. Brewer. (Vols. 1- 4). J. F. Dimock, (Vols. 5-7) and G. F. Warner, (Vol. 8). 8 vols. London, 1861-1891. Orig. ed and reprint.
22. Stevenson, Joseph (ed.). Letters and Papers illustrative of the Wars of the English in France during the reign of Henry VI (with a translation). 2 vols. in 3 pts. London, 1861-64.
23. Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, According to the Several Original Authori ties. Edited, with a translation by B. Thorpe. 2 vols. London, 1861.
24. Gairdner, James (ed.). Letters and Papers illustrative of the reigns of Richard III and Henry VII. 2 vols. London, 1861-63.
25. Grossteste, Robert. Robert Grossteste episcopi quondam Linclon miensis Epistolae. Ed. by H. R. Luard. London, 1861.
26. Hardy, T. D. Descriptive Catalogue of Materials relating to the History of Great Britain and Ireland to the end of the reign of Henry VII. 3 vols. in 4 parts. London, 1862-1871.
27. Shirley, W. W. (ed.). Royal and Other Historical Letters Illustra tive of the Reign of Henry II, from the Originals in the Public Record Office. 2 vols. London, 1862-66.
28. St. Albans Abbey. Chronica Monasterii S. Albani. ed. by H. T. Riley. 7 works in 12 vols. London, 1863-1876 (partly in the orig. ed.)
29. Marcay, W. D. (ed.) Chronicon abbatiae de Evesham adannum 1418. London, 1863.
30. Richard of Cirencester. Ricardi de Cirencestria Speculum Histor iale de gestis Regum Angliae. Ed. by J. E. B. Mayor. 2 vols. London, 1863-1869.
31a. Year Books of the Reign of Edward I. Ed. with translation by A. V. Horwood. 5 vol. London, 1866-1879.
31b. Year Books of the Reign of King Edward III. ed. with translation, by A. J. Horwood and L. O. Pike. 15 vols. London (1883-1911).
32. Stevenson, J. (ed.). Narratives of the Expulsion of the English from Normandy, 1449-50. London, 1863.
33. Gloucester, Cathedral. Historia it cartularium monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriae. Ed. by W. H. Hart. 3 vols. London, 1863-1867.
34. Neckam, Alexander. Alexandri Neckam de Naturis Rerum, Libri duo with Neckam's poem De Laudibus Divinae Sapientiae. Ed. by T. Wright, London, 1863.
35. Cockayne, T. O. (ed.). Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England; being a Collection of Documents Illustrating the History of Science in this Country before the Norman Conquest. 3 vols. London, 1864-1866.
36. Luard, H. R. (ed.). Annales Monastici. 5 vols. London, 1864-1869.
ALIGN=TOP 37. Adam of Evesham. Magna Vita S. Hugonis, Episcopi Loncolniensis, from MSS. in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and the Imperial Library, Paris. Ed. by J. F. Dimcock. London 1864.
38. Stubbs, W. (ed.). Chronicle and Memorials of the reign of Richard I. 2 vols. London, 1864-1865.
39. Warvin, Jehan de. Recueil des Croniques et Anchiennes Istories dela Grant Bretagne, a present nomme Engleterre, par Jehan de Warvin, Seigneur du Forestel. Ed. by W. Hardy (vols. 1-3) and W. Hardy and E. L. C. P. Hardy (vols. 4-5). 5 vols. London, 1864-91.
40. Warvin, Jehan de. A collection of the chronicles and ancient histories of Great Britain, now called England. Ed. and translated by W. Hardy and E. L. C. P. Hardy. 3 vols. London, 1864-1891.
41. Higden, Ranulf. Polychronicon Ranulphi Higden, Monachi Cestrensis; together with the English Translation of John of Trevisa and of an unknown writer in the 15th century. Ed. by C. Babington (vols. 1-2) and J. R. Lumby (vols. 3-9) vol. 9 London, 1865-1866.
42. Peter of Ickham. Le livre de Reis de Brittaine e le livere de Reis de Engleterre (from Brutus to 1274, with two continuations to 1326 and a translation). Ed. by John Glover, London, 1865.
43. Thomas de Burton. Chronica monasterii de Melsa, a fundatione usque ad annum 1396, auctore Thoma de Burton, abbate. Accedit con tinuation ad annum 1406 a monacho quodam ipsius domus. Ed. by E. A. Bond. 3 vols. London, 1866-1868.
44. Paris, Matthew. Mattaei Parisiensis, monachi Sancti Albani, Historia Anglorum, sive, ut vulgo dicitur, Historia minor. Item, ejusdem Abbreviato chronicorum Angliae. Ed. by F. Madden. 3 vols. London, 1866-1869.
45. Liber Monasterii de Hyda. Comprising a chronicle of the affairs of England, from the settlement of the Saxons to the reign of King Cnut; and a chartulary of the abbey of Hyde, in Hampshire. Ed. by E. Edwards. London, 1866.
46. Chronicon Scotorum. A chronicle of Irish Affairs from the earliest times to 1135; and supplement containing the events from 1141-1150. Ed. by W. M. Hennessy. London 1866.
47. Peter of Langtoff. Chronicle of Pierre de Langtoft, in French verse from the earliest period to the death of Edward I. Ed. by T. Wright. 2 vols. London, 1866-1868.
48. War of the Gaedhil with the Gall, or the invasions of Ireland by the Danes and
other Norsemen. Irish text, with translations, ed. by J. H. Todd. London 1867.
50. Oxford University. Munimenta Academica or documents illustrative of academical life and studies at Oxford. Ed. by H. Ansley. 2 vols. London, 1868.
51. Hovedon, Roger of. Chronica Magistri Rogeri de Houedene. Ed. by W. Stubbs. 4 vols. London, 1868-1871.
52. William of Malmesbury. Willelmesbiriensis Monachi De gestis ponti ficum Anglorum libri quinque. Ed. by N. E. S. A. Hamilton. London, 1870.
53. Gilbert, Sir John Thomas (ed.). Historic and Municipal Documents, Ireland, A. D. 1172-1320. From the Archives of the City of Dublin, etc. London, 1870.
54. Annals of Loch Ce. A chronicle of Irish Affairs from A. D. 1014-1590. Ed. with a translation by W. M. Hennessy. 2 vols. London, 1871.
55. Black Book of the Admiralty. Monumenta juridica. The Black Book of the
Admiralty, with a translation and an appendix. Ed. by T. Twiss. 4 vols. London,
1871-76.
Thomas Beaufort, 9 Hen. VI; ordinances of war made in 1385 and 1419. Vols. II-IV contain
the Domesday of Ipswich, the Cou tumes d'Oleron, the Spanish Customs of the Sea, the
maritime laws of Gotland, Wisby, Flanders, etc.
The Black Book of the Admiralty is a collection of laws, in French and Latin, relating
to the navy, the original MS. of which is preserved in the admiralty archives at
Whitehall.
56. Beckington, Thomas. Memorials of the reign of King Henry VI. Official
correspondence of Thomas Bekynton, secretary to Henry VI. ed. by G Williams. 2 vols.
London, 1872.
Contains many letters of Henry VI to continental potentates, and other documents
throwing light upon the foreign relations of England during the first half of the 15th
century.
57. Paris, Matthew. Matthaei Parisiensis, monachi Sancti
Albani. Chronica majora. Ed. by H. R. Luard, 7 vols. London, 1872-1884.
Matthew Paris is commonly regarded as England's greatest Medieval historian. His style
is graphic, his views broad, and he exhibits keen interest in national politics. He became
a monk at St. Albans in 1217, and succeeded Wendover as
chronographer of the abbey in 1236. He came in contact with the prominent men of his time,
and was on familiar terms with Henry III.
The nucleus of the Chronica Majora was a compilation made by John de Cella,
abbot of St. Albans (1199-1214); it extended to 1188, and was continued by Roger of
Wendover to 1235. Paris revised these two works, and carried the story to 1259. Three
recensions of the Chronica Majora appeared in 1250. 1253, and 1259 respectively.
This work is very valuable for the study of English and continental history. It also
contains many details concerning the affairs of the abbey of St. Albans and many papal
bulls, royal letters, and other documents.
Much of the author's information was gathered from eye-witnesses of the events
narrated. He speaks the truth fearlessly, boldly condemning the abuses of the court and
the church, rebuking pope, king, nobles and clergy when he deems them worthy of blame.
This chronicle was continued to 1306 by Rishanger.
The additamenta or Liber Additamentorum, printed in vol. 6 or Luard's
excellent edition of the Chronica Majorca, forms a kind of appendix to Paris's
greater chronicle and to his Vitae Abbatum; it contains charters granted to the
abbey, papal letters, royal writs, etc. A. D. 793-1258. 58. Walter of Coventry. Memoriale
fratris Walteri de Coventria: the historical collections of Walter Coventry. Ed. by
W. Stubbs. 2 vols. London, 1872-1873.
Compiled between 1293 and 1307. The entries from 1201 to 1225, which form a
continuation of Hovedon, are of great value for the study of John's
reign: Stubbs regards them as the best source of information concerning the eventful years
1212-16. Luard plausibly asserts that Walter of Coventry was probably not the author of
this work, the title "Memoriale" meaning simply that he left the book as a
memorial to his monastery; but Stubbs believes that "memoriale" means things
worth remembering, or historical collections. Concerning Walter of Coventry almost nothing
is known.
59. Wright, T. (ed.). Anglo-Latin satirical poets and epigrammatists of the twelfth
century. 2 vols. London, 1872.
Both are dedicated to William Longchamp, bishop of Ely, and satirize the follies of the
age, especially the corruptions of the church. The author, Nigel Wireker, was precentor of
Canter bury. His principal work is the Speculum Stultorum. Written about 1184, the "Archweeper" laments over the vices of mankind; the
author, John de Hautville, is Alexandri Neckam
60. Campbell, W. (ed.). Materials for a History of the Reign
of Henry VII from Original Documents preserved in the Public Record Office. 2 vols.
London, 1873-1877.
61. Raine (ed.). Historical Papers and Letters from the
Northern Register. London, 1873.
Contains many letters of the archbishops of York and of the bishops of Durham and
Carlisle, A. D. 1265-1415.
62. Durham. Registrum Palatinum Dunelmense the Register of Richard de Kellawe, Lord
Palatine and Bishop of Durham, 1311-1316. Ed. by T. D. Hardy. 4 vols. London,
1873-78.
Vol. III contains various documents, 1279-1374, including part of Bishop Bury's
register, 1338-45, and part of William Legat's. Vol. IV contains additions from plea
rolls, letters patent and close, and other public records, with excerpts (mainly 1312-45)
from the letter book of Bishop Bury. These four volumes are of great value for the history
of the palatinate of Durham, along with the Historical Papers &
Letters.
63. Stubbs, W. (ed.). Memorials of St. Dunstan, Archbishop of Canter bury.
London, 1874.
Lives by the priest B. Adelard, Osbern, Eadmer, William of Malmesbury
and Capgrave, and a collection of letters and other documents connected with Dunstan, his
age and his biographers.
64. Chronicon Angliae, ab anno Domini 1328 usque ad annum 1388, Actore Monacho
quidam Sancti Albani. Ed. by E. M. Thompson. London, 1874.
The account of the years 1376-77 is very detailed and valuable, and was probably
written by a contemporary monk of St. Albans. Certain other portions of the chronicle may
have been written by Walsingham. The author bitterly assails the duke of Lancaster and the
Lollards.
65. Thomas a Becket. Thomas Saga Erkibyskups. A life of
Archbishop Thomas Becket, in Icelandic, with English translation, Notes and Glossary.
Ed. by Eirikr Magnusson. 2 vols. London, 1875-1883.
There was a Thomas saga in Iceland in the 13th century, but the saga as it has come
down to us was probably written by Arngrim, abbot of Thingeyrar, who died in 1362. It was
compiled mainly from Benedict's work and from a contemporary life of Becket by Robert of
Cricklade. Magnusson, in vol. 2, has carefully investigated the chronological order of the
contemporary lives of Becket. Also see Materials for the History of
Thomas Becket
66. Ralph of Coggeshall. Radulphi do Coggeshall Chronicon anglicanum, De
expugnatione Terrae Sanctae libellus; Thomas Agnellus De morte et sepultura Henrici regis
Angliae junioris; Gesta Fulconis filii Warini; Excerpta ex Otiis imperialibus Gervasii
Tilebutiensis. Ed. by J Stevenson. London, 1875.
The entries to 1186 are brief; from 1187 to 1223 they are fuller, and many of them are
very valuable, especially for the reigns of John and Henry III. Ralph was abbot of the
Cister cian abbey of Coggeshall, 1207-18. Stevenson calls it "A contemporary account of an event which deeply moved the
feelings of England and France at the time when it occurred, and exercised no trifling
influence upon the history of these two kingdoms." Written about 1212 for the recreation of the emperor Otto IV, who made him marshal of
the kingdom of Arles.
67. Robertson, James C. (ed.). Materials for the History of
Thomas Becket. Ed. by J. C. Robertson and J. B. Sheppard. 7 vols. London, 1875-1885.
One of the anonymous lives was formerly ascribed to Roger of Pontigny. The
Quadrilogus
is a composite life drawn from earlier biographers. It exists in two forms: one was
written in 1198-99 by a monk of Evesham; the other is of later date. V-VII. Letters
written to or by Becket or relating to him. Among these are letters from Henry II,
Alexander III, John of Salisbury, Gilbert Foliot, Arnulf of Lisieux, Herbert of Bosham,
and Peter of Blois. This collection of lives and letters has superseded the older one by J. A. Giles in his
Patres Ecclesiae. Also see Thomas Saga
Erkibyskups. 68. Diceto, Ralph de. Radulphi de Diceto decani
Lundoniensis
Opera Historica. The Historical work of Master Ralph de Diceto, Dean of London. Ed.
by W. Stubbs. 2 vols. London, 1876. This work is made up of extracts from preexisting chroniclers. These "Outlines of History" down to about 1172, are based on Robert of
Rorigni; after 1172 the work is original, and from 1188 onward it is a valuable
contemporary record, which contains some additional entries to 1240. Ralph de Diceto was elected dean of St. Paul's, London in 1180, and held that office to
the time of his death. His birthplace is sometimes identified with the parish of Diss in
Norfolk. 69. Ireland, King's Council. Roll of the Proceedings of the King's Council in
Ireland for a Portion of the 16th year of the Reign of Richard II, 1392-1393. Ed.
(with a translation) by J. Graves. London 1877. The MS., the text of which is mainly in French, is preserved among the muniments of
marquis of Ormonde. The greater part of the record is made up of petitions presented to
the council, with the answers thereto. On. pp. 55-74 is a translation of the ordinances of
the council of Ireland 1445. The appendix contains various documents, including a calendar
of Irish close rolls, 16 Richard II. 70. Bracton, Henry de. Henrici de Bracton De legibus et consuetudini bus Angliae
Libri quinque in varios tractatus distincti. Ed. by T. Twiss. 6 vols. London,
1878-1883. The correct form of his name seems to have been Bratton. In the plea rolls from about
1245-1267, he is often called an itinerant justice, and in 1264 he was appointed dean of
the cathedral church of Exeter. His work, which was compiled probably between 1250-1258 is
the first comprehensive exposition of English law and by far the most important lawbook of
medieval England. He borrowed some maxims and rules from the Roman law, chiefly from the
Summa
of Azo of Bologna. His law is English case law systematized by the aid of methods and
principles which had been learnt from the civilians. There has been considerable dispute
as to the extent of the influence of the Roman law upon Bracton, but the substance of his
work is doubtless based upon English precedents. 71. Raine, J. (ed.). The Historians of the Church of York and its Archbishops.
3 vols. London, 1879-1894. Vol. I contains Alcuin's Carmen; several lives of bishops Oswald and Wilfrid;
lives of Bishop John of Beverley, who died in 721; Chronica Pontificum Ecclesiae
Eboracensis, A. D. 601-1140, written in the first half of the 12th century. The most
important biography in vol. 2 is the history of four archbishops of York, Thomas I,
Gerard, Thomas II, and Thurstan, A. D. 1070-1127 (with additions to 1153), by Hugh the
Chantor, or Hugh Scottovagina, precentor of York, a valuable account of the controversy
between the archbishops of Canterbury and York, told by an eye-witness. Vol. 2 also
contains a letter of Archbishop Ralph to the pope, 1119, concerning the same controversy;
anonymous lives of archbishops Thurstan and William Fitzerbert; several papers relating to
Archbishop Scrope and his execution in 1405; Chronica Pontificum Ecclesiae
Eboracensis, A. D. 601-1519, the part from 1147 to 1373 by Thomas Stubbs, a writer of
the 14th century; etc. Vol. 3 is a collection of letters, wills, and other documents, from
930 to 1522; they are connected with the history of the northern bishoprics, and are taken
from the registers of the archbishops of York, only three of them are before A. D. 1066. 72. Malmesbury, Abbey. Reigistrum Malmesburiense. The
Registor of Malmesbury Abbey. Ed. by J. S. Brewer and C. T.
Martin. 2 vols. London, 1869-1880. Begins with public documents: Magna Carta, the forest
charter, and statutes of the 13th century. Then follows a detailed account of the property
of the abbey of Malmesbury and the neighborhood: dues of the
inhabitants of Malmesbury and a rent roll of the manors out side
the town. Then comes charters, A. D. 685 to the end of the 13th century. 73. Gervase of
Canterbury, Historical works, the Chronicle of the Reigns of Stephen, Henry II, and
Richard I, by Gervase, the Monk of Canterbury. Ed. by W. Stubbs. 2 vols. London,
1879-1880. The author used Henry of Huntingdon, Benedict of Peterbor
ough, the
biographies of Becket, etc. The work is of some value for the reigns of Stephen, Henry II,
and Richard I. The portion 1170-99 deals mainly with ecclesiastical affairs. The earlier
part contains the Imaginationes, or statements of the case of each side in the disputes
between the archbishop and the monks of St. Augustine, Canterbury, 1178-91. Valuable for the reign of John. The part of 1135 is drawn mainly from Geoffrey of
Monmouth and William of Malmesbury, and this is
followed by an
abstract of Gervase's Chronica, 1135-99. a survey of the counties of England (lists of bishoprics, religious houses, castles,
etc.). In his writings Gervase exhibits much dislike of the Plantagenet kings. He became a
monk of Christ church, Canterbury, in 1163, and he was sacristan of the convent in 1193. 74. Henry of Huntingdon. Henrici Huntendunensis Historia
Anglorum, the History of the English, by Henry, Archdeacon of Huntingdon, from B. C. 55 to
A. D. 1154. In eight books. Ed. by T. Arnold. London, 1879. Five recension appeared between 1130 and 1154. The author's main sources of information
to about 1126 are Bede and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, . After that
date he derives many of his statements from oral report. Henry became archdeacon of
Huntingdon about 1110. 75. Simeon of Durham. Symeonis Monachi Opera Omnia. ed. by T. Arnold. 2
vols.
London, 1882-1885. Written between 1104-1108. Deals with mainly the history of the church of Durham, but
also supplies valuable information concerning the secular affairs of Northern England,
especially in the 9th century. The early portion of the work is derived chiefly from
Bede's Ecclesiastical History and his life of Cuthbert. This chronicle is in part derived from a Durham compilation which extended from
A.
D. 731 to 951 and was based on the lost Northumbrian annals and on Asser. The passages
taken from the lost annals are valuable for northern affairs. Simeon also used Florence of
Worcester, especially from A. D. 887 onward. For the years 1119-29 the work is an
independent authority. It was continued by John of Hexham to 1154. Simeon was a monk and precentor of the church of Durham. He probably died soon after
1129. 76. Stubbs, W. (ed.). Chronicles of the Reigns of Edward I and Edward II. Edited
from Manuscripts. 2 vols. London, 1882-3. In large part an abridgement of the Flores Historiarum to 1301.
The account of the general history of England, 1301-to 1316, is valuable. The narrative
from 1316-30 relates mainly to the civil history of London. The work was written by a
citizen of London who had easy access to the records of the corporation, per haps by
Andrew Horne, chamberlain of the city. An abridgement of the Flores Historarum to 1307 with a
valuable
continuation to 1341; compiled by some one connected with St. Paul's. The work contains
notices of public events and de tails concerning the history of London. A funeral sermon on the death of Edward I, probably written by John of London soon
after July 7, 1307. A brief chronicle of the reign of Edward II, written by a canon of the priory of
Bridlington. valuable for the reign of Edward II. Probably most of it was written toward the close
of Edward II's reign. The part 1326-48, added later, was taken from Higden's An extract from Geoffrey le Baker's Chronicle, erroneously ascribed to More,
represented Oxford shire in Parliament in 1340 and was Baker's patron.(?) 77. Peckham, John. Registrum epistolarum fratis Johannis Peckham, archiepiscopi
Cantuariensis. ed. by C. T. Martin. 3 vols. London, 1882-1886. Peckham joined the Franciscan order in 1250 and shortly thereaf ter went to Paris where
he took his degree under St. Bonaventure. For many years he taught at Paris University,
coming into contact with St. Thomas Aquinas. He was appointed archbishop of Canterbury in
1279. The Registrum is the chief authority on Peckham as arch bishop of
Canterbury. 78. Salisbury (Diocese). Vetus registrum Sarisberiense, alias
dictum Registrum S. Osmundi episcopi. Register of St. Osmund. Ed. by W. Rich-Jones. 2
vols. London, 1883-1884. Vol. I includes the consuentrdinary (sp. ?), or Tractatus de officiis
ecclesiasticis, with English translation. Vol. 2 includes charters, letter, bulls,
etc., 1091-circa 1276. Also the Visiatio eccle siarum, 1220-24. Also see
HREF="#salisbury">Charters and Documents. . . of . . . Salisbury. 79. Ramsey Abbey. Cartularium Monasterii de
Rameseia. Ed.
by W. H. Hart and P. A. Lyons. 3 vols. London, 1884-1893. Contains charters, inquisitions, manorial extents, surveys of Knights' fees, final
concords, pleas in royal courts, etc., A. D. 974- 1436. The material relating to manorial
history is particularly valu able. Also see the Chronicon Abatiae
Ramensiensis. 80. Dublin, St. Mary's Abbey. Chartularies of St. Mary's Abbey. Dublin and the
Register of its House at Dunbrody; and Annals of Ireland. Ed. by J. T. Gilbert. 2
vols. London, 1884-1886. Contains two chartularies of St. Mary's abbey, mainly charters, circa
1171-1463.-Register of St. Mary's abbey, Dublin, written by Thomas Case in 1427. It
devotes much attention to the history of England and Ireland. The information is drawn
from Henry of Huntingdon, Giraldus Cambrensis, and other
chroniclers.-Annals
of Ireland (fragment). 1308-10, 1316-17.-Annals of Ireland. This work has
been ascribed to Christopher Pennbridge of Dublin, but the author and time of compila tion
are unknown. Gilbert calls it "the chief authority on the affairs of the English
settlement in Ireland to the year 1370. 81. Eadmer. Eadmeri Historia Novorum in Anglia, et. opuscula duo de Vita sancti An
selmi it quibusdam miraculis ejus. Ed. from manuscripts in the library of Corpus
Christi College, Cambridge, by M. Rule. London, 1884. The first recension appeared in 1112, and the work was completed in 1124. The early
portion relates mainly to Lanfranc's career; the bulk of the history comprises a minute
contemporary account of the relations of Anselm to William II and Henry I, 1092-1109. It
is the best authority on the investiture controversy. The last two books deal with the
history of the see of Canterbury, 1110-22. Liebermann believes that as regards unity of
plan and of treatment this work has no equal among the great historians of England in the
12th Century. Eadmer was a monk of Christ church, Canterbury, and the confidential adviser
of Anselm. 82.Howlett, R. (ed.). Chronicles of the reigns of Stephen, Hnry II and Richard I.
4 vols. London, 1884-1890. Much of the matter is taken from Simeon of Durham, Huntingdon,
Fantosme, and other chroniclers, but it is entirely recast so as to form a valuable
commentary on the history of the 12th century. The author displays remarkable judgment
and
good sense in dealing with men and events. "Many passages," says Howlett,
"yield in force and elegance to the work of no writer of that age." Freeman
calls him the father of historical criticism. William Goldly assailed the fable of
Geoffrey of Monmouth, which other medieval chroniclers accepted as historical facts. He
was a canon of the Austin priory of St. Mary at Newburg in Yorkshire. A continuation of William of Newburgh's history, written in Furness abbey late in the
13th century. From 1202 to 1271 it is derived mainly from the Annales Stanleineses. Deals with Henry II and his parents, King Stephen, William the conqueror, Hugh
Capet,
Charlemagne, the death of the Empress Maud, and other topics, to 1169. Large portions of
them are derived from Dudo of St. Quentin and William of Jumeges; but it furnishes some
new facts for the history of the years 1153-69. Draco, in the title of the poem, means
standard. Written from time to time, A. D. 1150-86; the first recension seems to have been
completed in 1157. The chronicle is valuable for the internal affairs of England in
1153-54, and for the foreign policy of Henry II. Robert of Torigni became prior of Bec
about 1149, and was elected abbot of Mont-Saint-Michel in 1154. He visited England in
1157
and 1175. 83. Ramsey Abbey. Chronicon Abbatiae Rameniensis.
Ed. by
W. D. Marcay. London, 1886. Probably compiled in 1170, some of the matter in pt. 4 having been added later. It is
commonly cited as the Historia Ramesiensis; the unknown author calls it Liber
Benefactorum Ecclesiae Ramesiensis. Pts. 1-3, extending to 1066 comprise the story of
the foundation of the abbey, the life of St. Oswald, and charters of lands granted to
Ramsey, together with some notices of public events. Pt. 4 is little more than a register
of legal documents; it contains many charters conveying lands to the abbey, A. D. 974 to
circa 1200. The work affords many illustrations of legal customs. Also see the 84. . Rogeri de Wendover. Liber qui
dictiur
Flores Historiarum ab anno Domini MCLIV annoque Henrici Anglorum regis Secundi
primo.
Ed. by H. G. Hewlett. 3 vols. London, 1886-1889. A general chronicle relating to the continent as well as to England. Its nucleus was a
compilation, extending to 1188, made by John de Cella, abbot of St. Albans (1195-1214).
This was continued by Wendover to 1235 and by Matthew Paris to 1259. Coxe's appendix
shows
the variations in the texts of Wendover and Paris to 1235. Wend over's work, especially
the part 1200-1235, is an original authority of great value. "His signal merit as a
contemporary chronicler, which atones for many deficiencies, is his fearless frankness of
speech without respect of persons." He was the historiographer of the abbey of St.
Albans. 85. Canterbury, Christ Church Priory. Literae Cantuarienses, the Letter Books of
the Monastery of Christ Church, Canterbury. Ed. by J. B. Sheppard. 3 vols. London,
1887-1889. volumes include-besides "epistolae"-many ordinances, indentures, and other
documents relating to the history of the monas tery, mainly from 1296 to 1536. 86. Robert of Gloucester. Metrical Chronicle of Robert of Gloucester. Ed. W.A.
Wright. 2 vols. London, 1887. Beyond the fact that he was probably a monk of Gloucester, who wrote about A.D. 1300,
nothing is known concerning the author of this English poem. The earlier portion, to 1135,
may have been written by another person. A large part of the chronicle is derived from
Geof frey of Monmouth, Henry of Huntingdon, William of
HREF="#malmesbury">Malmesbury, and the Annals of Waverly. 87. Mannyng, Robert. The Story of England by Robert of Brunne. Ed. from
MSS at
Lambeth Palace and the Inner Temple by F.J. Furnivall. 2 vols. London, 1887. Written in English verse and completed in 1338. The part edited by Furnivall is
mythical history derived from Wace and Geoffrey of Monmouth; the second part, edited by
Hearne, is a translation of Langtoft's Chronicle with some useful additions. The author, a
native of Brunne (Bourne) in Lincolnshire, is often called Robert of Brunne. He was a
member of the Gilbertine order. 88. Icelandic Sagas and other Historical Documents relating to the Settlements and
Descents of the Northmen of the British Isles. Ed. by G. Vigfusson (v. 1-2) and with
translation by G.W. Dasent (v. 3-4). 4(?) vols. London, 1887-1894. Gives an account of the conquest of the Orkneys and their subsequent history under the
Norse jarls, A.D. 872-1222. 89. Stokes, W. (ed.). Tripartite Life of Patrick, with other Documents relating to
that Saint with Translations and Indexes. 2 vols. London, 1888. Vol. 1 contains the Irish Tripartite Life, with a valuable intro duction. Vol. 2,
Patrick's writings, Muirchu's memoirs, Tiechan's notes, Fiacc's hymn, etc. The Tripartite
Life is so called from its division into three parts. 90. William of Malmesbury. Willelmi Malmesbriensis
monachi De
gestis regum Anglorum libri quinque; Historiae novellae libri tres. ed. by W. Stubbs.
2 vols. London, 1887-1889. Malmesbury was the first writer after Bede who attempted to give to his details of
dates and events such a systematic connection, in the way of cause and sequence, as
entitles them to the name of History. The Gesta Regum was finished in 1125, but
two new recensions appeared circa 1135-40; the early part is derived from Nennius, Bede,
the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Eadmer, and other writers. The
Historia
Novella was written in 1140-1142. The Gesta is also of some value for the
reigns of William I and William II. The author, a monk of Malmesbury, was a partisan of
Maud, but he is fair and accurate. See also his gesta
pontivicum. 91. Gaimar, Geoffrey. Lestorie des Engles solum la translacion Mais tre Geffrei
Gaimar. ed. by T.D. Hardy and C.T. Martin. 2 vols. London, 1888-1889. Vol. I text,
vol. 2 English translation. This rhyming French Chronicle was written between 1135 and 1147. For the period before
the Norman Conquest its chief sources are Geoffrey of Monmouth and the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle. For the portion after 1066 the author is indebted to Florence of Worcester
or Simeon of Durham. Gaimar was a Norman by birth. Concerning his life little is known; he
seems to have resided in Lincolnshire. 92. Knighton, Henry. Chronicon Henrici Knighton; vel. Cnithon, monachi
leycestrensis, Ed. by J.R. Lumby. 2 vols. London, 1889-1895. Down to 1336 it is derived mainly from Higden and
Hemingburgh.
It contains no entries for the years 1367-76. The continuator, who wrote the part 1377-95,
was a partition of the duke of Lancaster, but a bitter opponent of the Wycliffites. He
gives some valuable details regarding the Black Death, the rising of 1381, and the social
condition of England. Knighton was a canon regular of St. Mary's Leicester. 93. Murimuth, Adam. Adae Murimuth Continuatio Chronicarum. Robertus de
Avesbury De
gestis mirabililbus regis Edwardi Tertii. Ed. by E.M. Thompson. London, 1889.
TYPE="I">
Begun about 1325, three recensions appeared between 1337 and 1347. The author was a
canon of St. Paul's, London, and precentor of Exeter. He was employed by Edward II, on
missions to the papal court. The continuation, especially the part 1359-77, seems to be
the work of a well informed contemporary writer. Deals especially with the military history of Edward III's reign, 1339-56, contains
many valuable docu ments. Avesbury was registrar of the court of archbishop of Canterbury.
Particulars of his life are not known, save that his will was enrolled in 1359. 94. Dublin, Abbey of St. Thomas the Martyr. Register of the Abbey of St. Thomas,
Dublin. Ed by J.T. Gilbert, London, 1889. Comprises documents relating chiefly to the lands, rights, etc. of the abbey in various
parts of Ireland, especially in the 13th century. 95. Mathew of Westminster. Flores Historarum , per
Mathaeum
Westmo santeriensem collecti. Ed. by H.R. Luard. 3 vols. London, 1890. This chronicle was for a long time attributed to Mathew of Westminster, but we now know
that he is "an entirely imaginary person," and that the work ascribed to him was
written by various persons at various times. The earlier portion was taken mainly from the
greater chronicle of Mathew Paris, and the oldest manuscript belonged at one time to
Westminster abbey; therefore the two names were combined, and the fictitious Mathew of
Westminster was spoken of as the author. The oldest manuscript, extending to 1265 and
derived mainly from Mathew Paris, was written at St. Albans; it was then continued at
Westminster by various hands to the close 1306, with which year most of the manuscript
ends. The continuation to 1325-26 was compiled by Robert of Reading, a monk of Westminster
(d. 1325 [?]); and entries for the years 1325-26 were added by another monk of
Westminster. The part 1259-1326 is largely a contemporaneous record. The St. Albans
writer, in his account of the events of the years 1259-65, favors the barons, but after
its removal to Westminster the chronicle becomes royalist in tone. The most valuable
notices of the reign of Edward I, are those that relate to the Scottish was. Robert of
Reading displays strong feeling against Edward II. 96. Arnold, T. (ed.) Memorials of St. Edmund's Abbey. 3 vols. London, 1890-96.
Contains the work of Abbo of Fleury; miracles of St. Edmund, by Herman the Archdeacon;
and lives of Edmund by Galfridus de Fontibus, Abbot Samson, and Denis Piramus--
Chronica,
by Joceline de Brakelond, 1173-1203; a valuable account of the history of the abbey,
written early in the 13th century.---Annales S. Edmundi, 1032-1212.---Three
accounts of elections of abbots, 1213-1302.---Expulsion of Franciscans from Bury,
1257-63.---Conflicts between the abbot and the burgesses of Bury, 1327-31.---Chronica
Buriensis, 1020-1346.---Fifteenth century letters.---By laws of the weavers of Bury,
1477. 97. Salisbury (Diocese). Charters and documents
illustrating the history of the cathedral, city and diocese of Salisbury, in the twelfth
and thirteenth centuries. Selected from the capitular and diocesan registers by W.
Rich-Jones. Ed. by W.D. Marcay. London, 1891. Contains charters, papal bulls, cathedral regulations, constitu tions of Bishop Poore
(circa1223), documents episcopal elections, etc. Also see Vetus
Registrum Sarisberiense. 98. Great Britain. Parliament, 1305. Records of the Parliament holden at
Westminster 28 Feb., 33 Edw. I (1305). Ed. by F.W. Maitland. London, 1893. The best edited of all the printed parliament rolls. Contains besides the roll of 1305,
thirteen original petitions and a valuable introduction, which throws light on the history
of parliament and the privy council and on the nature of the petitions. 99. Great Britain, Exchequer. Red Book of the Exchequer. Liber rubeus de
sacario.
Ed. by Hubert Hall. 3 vols. London, 1896. The earlier portion of this work was compiled about A.D. 1230 by Alexander de
Swereford. It contains charters, inquisitions, statutes, correspondence, surveys, fiscal
accounts, exchequer precedents, papal bulls, etc. Hall prints many of the most important
documents and a table of contents of the MS volume. More than two thirds of the material
in his edition consists of records relating to feudal tenures, mainly of the reigns of
Henry II, Richard I, and John. Volume 3 contains the Constitutio Domus Regis
(circa 1135), privileges and exemptions of exchequer officers, three royal ordinance of
1323-26 which aim to reform the exchequer administration, a fourteenth century treatise on
the mint etc. These documents throw light on the fiscal machinery of the 13th and 14th
centuries, and the editor's elaborate preface gives much information regarding scutage,
tenures, the exchequer administration, and other topics. |
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