Historical writing in 12th century England

Tutor: John Gillingham

This course examines (in translation) texts composed by two groups of historians. The first group, writing c.1120-1140, are those who established the basic pattern, i.e. the central myths, of English and British history.They are William of Malmesbury (author of The Deeds of the Kings of England and The Deeds of the Bishops of England), Henry of Huntingdon (author of The History of the English People*) and Geoffrey of Monmouth (author of The History of the Kings of Britain.*)

The second group, writing c.1180-1200, represent a sample of those who contributed to what has been called 'the golden age' of historical writing in medieval England. Among the works to be studied will be The History and Topography of Ireland* and The Journey through Wales* by Gerald of Wales, The Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond*, The Chronicle of Richard of Devizes, and The History of English Affairs by William of Newburgh.

* = available in Penguin or Oxford World's Classics: should be bought. The other titles are available in Oxford Medieval Texts, with the exception of William of Malmesbury's, Deeds of the Bishops which has been translated by David Preest (Boydell Press, 2002) and William of Newburgh's History, Book One of which was published in bi-lingual edition ed. and trans. P.G. Walsh and M. J. Kennedy (Aris & Phillips, 1994).