The first volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841 1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains the first four books of the Historia rerum Anglicarum by William of Newburgh (c.1136 c.1198). Newburgh's extensive history, in five books, chronicles events from 1066 up to 1198 and is a valuable source of information on twelfth-century England, especially the so-called period of 'The Anarchy' during King Stephen's reign. The first book begins with William the Conqueror's victory at Hastings, and the fourth book concludes with the return from...

The second volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841 1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains the fifth and final book of the Historia rerum Anglicarum by William of Newburgh (c.1136 c.1198). This book deals with the events of the years 1194 8. The work is continued in a supplement up to the year 1298, compiled by a monk of Furness Abbey. Also included is the Draco Normannicus ('The Norman Standard') of Etienne de Rouen, a monk from Bec Abbey in Normandy. Much of this poem is simply the versification of other sources, but it does possess...

The third volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841 1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains five separate works. The Gesta Stephani regis Anglorum ('Deeds of King Stephen') is a primary source for Stephen's reign and especially his wars with his cousin Maude. This is supplemented by the shorter De gestis regis Stephani by Richard, prior of Hexham, covering the years 1135 9. The treatise Relatio de standardo by St Aelred, abbot of Rievaulx, is a partisan account of the Battle of the Standard in 1138. Jordan Fantosme's long poem (in French,...

The fourth volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841 1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains the work of Robert of Torigni (c.1110 86), abbot of Mont Saint-Michel, whose chronicle is a continuation of the Gesta Normannorum ducum ('Deeds of the Norman dukes') up to the time of Henry II. Despite problems with the chronology of the work, Robert's chronicle remains a valuable source for the early years of Henry II's reign. Howlett's introduction provides historical background as well as an exhaustive survey of both Robert's sources and the...