The Annals of Lampert of Hersfeld - (Manchester Medieval Sources) (Paperback)

About the Book

Lampert is widely regarded as 'the unrivalled master among medieval historians' and 'a superb story-teller', noted for his vivid characterisation and narrative. This English translation of his work is of the greatest value to teachers and students of medieval history and also of interest to the general reader of European literature.

Book Synopsis

This is a translation of the eleventh-century Latin Annals of Lampert, monk of Hersfeld, with detailed commentary and introduction. No translation has hitherto been published in English, despite the fact that it is one of the best known of all the narrative sources of the Middle Ages, constantly mentioned in the English secondary literature.

Lampert produced the most detailed account of the events of 1056-77 (the minority of Henry IV of Germany and the first decade of his personal rule), a period of crisis and rebellion culminating in the conflict between the king and Pope Gregory VII. He is widely regarded as 'the unrivalled master among medieval historians' and 'a superb story-teller', noted for his vivid characterisation and narrative. An English translation of this work is of the greatest value to teachers and students of medieval history and also of interest to the general reader of European literature.

From the Back Cover

This is the first English translation of the eleventh-century Annals of Lampert, monk of Hersfeld, often described as the foremost Latin chronicler of the Middle Ages. This volume includes an introduction and a detailed commentary, particularly concerned with the long-disputed question of the credibility of Lampert's account. The introduction deals with the career of the author, the date of his composition, his literary personality and world-picture.

Lampert produced the most detailed narrative source of the Central Middle Ages in his account of the crisis years 1056-77 in the kingdom of Germany. The importance of the Annals lies especially in the account (the fullest extant) of the minority of King Henry IV of Germany and first decade of his personal rule. Lampert provided the fullest account of the erosion of loyalty of the princes during Henry IV's minority, the criticisms against Henry IV's regime (especially its conduct towards the German Church), the Saxon rebellion of 1073-5 against Henry IV and the opening stages of the conflict between Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII.

In his Annals, Lampert showed himself to be both 'the unrivalled master among medieval historians' and 'a superb story-teller' through his skill in description and characterisation and in the sheer exuberance of his narrative. Indeed, his work often has the character of the liveliest of adventure-stories. This book will appeal to teachers and students of medieval history, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, but also to the non-specialist reader of the great works of European literature.

About the Author

I. S. Robinson is Lecky Professor of History and Senior Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin