Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - (Monks of the Monasteries of Winchester, Canterbury, Peterbor) by Michael Swanton (Paperback)

About the Book

"The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles are the first continuous national history of any western people in their own language. Compiled over several centuries, they trace the migration of Saxon war-lords to Roman Britain, their gradual development of a settled society and conversion to Christianity, the onslaught of the Vikings and then the Norman Conquest. They continued to be written long after the last Saxon king was dead, and go on to describe atrocities perpetrated by the barons during the reign of Stephen. Their uniqueness as a historical and literary document makes them of compelling interest throughout." "Professor Swanton's translation is the most complete and faithful reading ever published. Extensive notes draw on the latest evidence of archaeologists, and textual and social historians. Comprehensive and clearly presented, this fully indexed edition, with introduction, maps, genealogical tables and illustrations, allows ready access to one of the prime sources of English national culture."--Page 4 of cover.

Book Synopsis

The most important written work in English before the Norman Conquest, newly translated.

Made up of annals written in the monasteries of Winchester, Canterbury, Peterborough, Abingdon, and Worcester, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle marks the beginning of the unmannered simplicity of English prose. Immediately striking are the accounts of the Danish invasions and the unhappiness of Stephen's reign, together with the lyrical poem on the Battle of Brunanburh. Ranging from the start of the Christian era to 1154, the uniqueness of the chronicle as an historical and literary document makes it of compelling interest throughout. The historical, linguistic and literary importance of The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is without parallel.

About the Author

Michael Swanton is professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Exeter, and has held visiting professorships at Justus-Liebig Universität (Germany), and l'Université de Lausanne (Switzerland). Formerly Editor of the Royal Archaeological Institute, he is Fellow of both the Society of Antiquaries and The Royal Historical Society, and lectures widely on various aspects of early English culture. His extensive publications include translations of the epic poem Beowulf (1978) and a selection of Anglo-Saxon Prose (2nd edition, Everyman, 1993)