3 Review(s)

The first volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841-1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains the first four books of the Historia rerum Anglicarum by William of Newburgh (c.1136-c.1198). Newburgh's extensive history, in five books, chronicles events from 1066 up to 1198 and is a valuable source of information on twelfth-century England, especially the so-called period of 'The Anarchy' during King Stephen's reign. The first book begins with William the Conqueror's victory at Hastings, and the fourth book concludes with the return from captivity of Richard I in 1194. Along the way, Newburgh enlivens his history with tales of supernatural prodigies. In his lengthy editorial introduction, Howlett remarks that Newburgh's chronicle forms a commentary on the various works presented in the other three volumes of this set, as they all fall within the chronological scope of Newburgh's work. English side-notes to the Latin text are provided throughout.