Chronicon Abbatiae de Evesham
Encyclopedia
The Chronicon Abbatiae de Evesham or Chronicle of the Abbey of Evesham, sometimes the Evesham Chronicle, is a medieval chronicle written at and about Evesham Abbey
in England.
, and were probably written by a prior of the house, Dominic
, sometime before 1125. Egwin was a bishop of Worcester who died in 717. Also included in the Chronicon is a narrative of the translation of the relics of St Odulph, and the life of St Wigstan
.
The historian R. R. Darlington felt that the account of Abbot Æthelwig
that is part of the chronicle was not written by Thomas, and instead was written shortly after Æthelwig's death, which occurred in 1077 or 1078. The historian David Knowles felt that the account of Æthelwig was written instead by Dominic, but concurred with Darlington that the section was not composed by Thomas. Yet another continuator extended the history of the abbots until 1539.
, edited by William Dunn Macray. This edition, number 29 in the Rolls Series, is titled Chronicon abbatiae de Evesham, ad annum 1418, but it includes the continuation until 1539. Extracts from the period 1035 to 1236 were edited by Liebermann in the Monumenta Germaniae Historica
. Another version, with the continuation down to 1539, was published in 1965 by the Vale of Evesham Historical Society. A new edition with facing translation by Jane Sayers and Leslie Watkiss was published in 2003.
Evesham Abbey
Evesham Abbey was founded by Saint Egwin at Evesham in England between 700 and 710 A.D. following a vision of the Virgin Mary by Eof.According to the monastic history, Evesham came through the Norman Conquest unusually well, because of a quick approach by Abbot Æthelwig to William the Conqueror...
in England.
Contents and authorship
It covers the history of the abbey from 714 to 1539, and the early sections from 714 to 1214 were probably mostly composed by Thomas of Marlborough, who was abbot from 1230 to 1236. An unknown continuator brought the work down to 1418. The earliest parts of the chronicle concern St. EgwinEgwin
Egcwine was the third Bishop of Worcester in England.-Life:He was the founder of the Evesham Abbey. His biographers say that king, clergy, and commonalty all united in demanding his elevation as bishop; but the popularity which led him to the episcopal office dissipated in response to his...
, and were probably written by a prior of the house, Dominic
Dominic of Evesham
Dominic was a medieval prior of Evesham Abbey in England and writer of histories.Little is known of his life. He was probably a native Englishman, and was probably born sometime before 1077, and was probably raised around the abbey. He may have entered Evesham before 1077, but certainly by 1104, he...
, sometime before 1125. Egwin was a bishop of Worcester who died in 717. Also included in the Chronicon is a narrative of the translation of the relics of St Odulph, and the life of St Wigstan
Wigstan of Mercia
Wigstan , also known as Saint Wystan, was the son of Wigmund of Mercia and Ælfflæd, daughter of King Ceolwulf I of Mercia.Wigstan may have been sub-king, or ealdorman, of the Hwicce, and may have ruled Mercia briefly in 840, before resigning the throne. Wigstan was killed by his successor,...
.
The historian R. R. Darlington felt that the account of Abbot Æthelwig
Æthelwig
Æthelwig was an Abbot of Evesham before and during the Norman Conquest of England. Born sometime around 1010 or 1015, he was elected abbot in 1058. Known for his legal expertise, he administered estates for Ealdred, the Bishop of Worcester prior to his election as abbot...
that is part of the chronicle was not written by Thomas, and instead was written shortly after Æthelwig's death, which occurred in 1077 or 1078. The historian David Knowles felt that the account of Æthelwig was written instead by Dominic, but concurred with Darlington that the section was not composed by Thomas. Yet another continuator extended the history of the abbots until 1539.
Printing history
The Chronicon has been printed a number of times, once in 1863 in the Rolls SeriesRolls Series
The Rolls Series, official title The Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages, is a major collection of British and Irish historical materials and primary sources, published in the second half of the 19th century. Some 255 volumes, representing 99 separate...
, edited by William Dunn Macray. This edition, number 29 in the Rolls Series, is titled Chronicon abbatiae de Evesham, ad annum 1418, but it includes the continuation until 1539. Extracts from the period 1035 to 1236 were edited by Liebermann in the Monumenta Germaniae Historica
Monumenta Germaniae Historica
The Monumenta Germaniae Historica is a comprehensive series of carefully edited and published sources for the study of German history from the end of the Roman Empire to 1500.The society sponsoring the series was established by the Prussian reformer Heinrich Friedrich Karl Freiherr vom...
. Another version, with the continuation down to 1539, was published in 1965 by the Vale of Evesham Historical Society. A new edition with facing translation by Jane Sayers and Leslie Watkiss was published in 2003.
Editions
- Sayers, Jane and Leslie Watkiss (eds. and trs.). Thomas of Marlborough: History of the Abbey of Evesham. Oxford Medieval Texts. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2003.
- Macray, W.D. (ed.). Chronicon abbatiae de Evesham, ad annum 1418. Rolls Series 29. London, 1863. [Appendix I: Translation and miracles of St. Odulph, and Life of St Wigstan; Appendix II: Continuation] Available from Google Books here and here.