The Chronicle of Ireland - (Translated Texts for Historians) (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Chronicle of Ireland is the principal source for the history of events not only in Ireland itself but also in what is now Scotland up to 911. It incorporated annals compiled on Iona up to c. 740 - a monastery which played a major role in the history of Ireland, of the Picts to its east and, from 635 to 664, of Northumbria. Up to c. 740 the Chronicle is thus a crucial source for both Ireland and Britain; and from c. 740 to 911 it still records some events outside Ireland. The text of the Chronicle is best preserved in the Annals of Ulster, but it was also transmitted through chronicles derived from a version made at the monastery of Clonmacnois in the Irish midlands. This translation is set out so as to show at a glance what text is preserved in both branches of the tradition and what is in only one.

Book Synopsis

The Chronicle of Ireland is the principal source for the history of events not only in Ireland itself but also in what is now Scotland up to 911. It incorporated annals compiled on Iona up to c. 740 - a monastery which played a major role in the history of Ireland, of the Picts to its east and, from 635 to 664, of Northumbria. Up to c. 740 the Chronicle is thus a crucial source for both Ireland and Britain; and from c. 740 to 911 it still records some events outside Ireland. The text of the Chronicle is best preserved in the Annals of Ulster, but it was also transmitted through chronicles derived from a version made at the monastery of Clonmacnois in the Irish midlands. This translation is set out so as to show at a glance what text is preserved in both branches of the tradition and what is in only one.

Review Quotes

Reviews

'The Chronicle of Ireland, then is in many respects a very important addition to scholarship on the Irish annals. It will enable people to utilise the chronicles before 912 in a more effective way, since much of Charles-Edwards's knowledge and research on the early medieval British Isles, Ireland in particular, are reflected in this work. ...This new publication will be excellent as a means of introducing the Irish chronicle to students of Irish and Scottish history.'
The Innes Review

About the Author

T. M. Charles-Edwards is the Jesus Professor of Celtic at the University of Oxford. His previous books include Bechbretha, The Welsh Laws, and Early Irish and Welsh Kinship.