The Chronica Maiora of Thomas Walsingham (1376-1422) - (Paperback)

About the Book

First complete translation of detailed chronicle of medieval England, one of Shakespeare's most important sources.

Book Synopsis

Winner of a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title Award. Translated by David Preest with introduction and notes by James G. Clark. Thomas Walsingham's 'Chronica maiora' is one of the most comprehensive and colourful chronicles to survive from medieval England. Walsingham was a monk at St Albans Abbey, a royal monastery and the premier repository of public records, and therefore well placed to observe the political machinations of this period at close hand. Moreover, he knew the monarchs and many of the nobles personally and is able to offer insights into their actions unmatched by any other authority. It is this narrative, transmitted through the popular Tudor histories of Hall, Stow and Holinshed, which provides the principle source for Shakespeare's sequence of history plays. Covering almost fifty years, the narrative provides the most authoritative account of one of the most turbulent periods in English history, from the last years of Edward III [1376-77] to the premature death of Henry V [1422]. Walsingham describes the many dramas of this period in vivid detail, including the Peasants' Revolt [1381], the deposition and murder of Richard II [1399-1400], the Welsh revolt of Owain Glyn Dwr [1403] and Henry V's victory at Agincourt [1415]; they are brought to life here in this new translation.

Review Quotes

A new and very readable translation. [...] The translation throughout is excellent and easy to read. In all, it is a fascinating book and will be a valuable resource for anyone who wishes to know more about this period.-- "THE ALBAN LINK"

A rollicking, passionate, fluent work that captures nicely the studied informality of Walsingham's prose. [...] In short, this is a terrific translation of a very entertaining chronicle. College and university libraries and researchers tired of slogging through the Rolls Series Latin versions without an effective and accurate English version at hand should seriously consider adding this one to their collections.-- "THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW"

Essential.-- "CHOICE"

It will be enormously useful to students of the later Middle Ages to have a readily accessible translation.-- "CATHOLIC HISTORICAL REVIEW"