William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England: From the Earliest Period to the Reign of King Stephen
William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England: From the Earliest Period to the Reign of King Stephen
Translated by John Sharpe
One of the great works of English historiography, composed by a 12th-century monk whose sharp mind and literary ambition elevate this chronicle far above mere royal propaganda. William of Malmesbury wrote for readers who wanted more than dates and battle lists: he interrogated his sources, noted contradictions in the historical record, and rendered his kings as complex human beings rather than saints or villains. The chronicle stretches from the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons in 449 through the Norman Conquest and into the anarchic reign of King Stephen, where William's pen becomes most lively, documenting a kingdom tearing itself apart. What emerges is not simply a record of who ruled, but an argument about what makes a king great and what happens when the royal line fails. This is medieval history written with the conscious craft of literature.
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“our long-haired gallants, who, forgetting what they were born, transform themselves into the fashion of females, by the length of their locks.””
— of Malmesbury William
“Wonderful was the judgment of God on this sacrilegious wretch, that he should meet with such an ignominious end, not from the king, to whom he was inimical, but from the very persons he appeared to favour. The authors of his death ought worthily to be extolled, for having freed the country from such a pest, and justly despatched an intestine enemy.””
— of Malmesbury William
“Of necessity, he must fear many, whom many fear.” For, through dread of his enemies, he used to drain the country of money, with which he might retard or repel their attacks; very often, as it happens in human affairs, where strength failed, purchasing the forbearance of his enemies with gold. This disgraceful calamity is still prevalent, and every day increases; so that both towns and churches are subjected to contributions: nor is this done with firm-kept faith on the part of the imposers, but whoever offers more, carries the prize; all former agreements being disregarded.””
— of Malmesbury William
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William, of Malmesbury. William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England: From the Earliest Period to the Reign of King Stephen. Lex, lex-books.com/book/william-of-malmesbury-s-chronicle-of-the-kings-of-england-from-the-earliest-peri-d3de2377-068a-415e-9907-9b71669c5207.William, O. M. (n.d.). William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England: From the Earliest Period to the Reign of King Stephen. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/william-of-malmesbury-s-chronicle-of-the-kings-of-england-from-the-earliest-peri-d3de2377-068a-415e-9907-9b71669c5207William, of Malmesbury. William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the Kings of England: From the Earliest Period to the Reign of King Stephen. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/william-of-malmesbury-s-chronicle-of-the-kings-of-england-from-the-earliest-peri-d3de2377-068a-415e-9907-9b71669c5207.
