Chronicles of the Reigns of Edward I and Edward II

Chronicles of the Reigns of Edward I and Edward II Synopsis

This second of two volumes of Latin chronicles illustrating the reigns of Edward I (1272–1307) and Edward II (1307–27) was published in 1883. Included here is the Commendatio lamentabilis, a laudatory piece written by John of London very soon after the death of Edward I. This is followed by a Vita of Edward II written by an unknown monk of Malmesbury, a narration of his deeds (Gesta Edwardi de Carnarvan) by a canon of Bridlington, with another on the deeds of Edward III, and a life and death (Vita et mors) of Edward II attributed to Sir Thomas de la Moore. The often corrupt texts were restored, edited and provided with English side-notes by William Stubbs (1825–1901), whose lengthy introduction provides a wealth of detail about the possible writers, the historical context of each chronicle, and the history of the transmission and publication of the manuscripts.