Chronica Majora
Encyclopedia
The Chronica Majora is an important medieval illuminated manuscript
chronicle
by Matthew Paris
, one of a number of redactions of his work on English history.
It is currently in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
. It covers the period 1240-53. It is his major historical work, but is less heavily illustrated per page than others.
The first two volumes are in Cambridge, whilst the third is bound with the Historia Anglorum in the British Library
. There are 100 marginal drawings, some fragmentary maps and an itinerary, and full page drawings of William I
, the Elephant with Keeper. MS 16 has very recently had all prefatory matter removed in a rebinding. Most of the text of the Chronica in MS 26 is not in Paris's hand.
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
chronicle
Chronicle
Generally a chronicle is a historical account of facts and events ranged in chronological order, as in a time line. Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and local events, the purpose being the recording of events that occurred, seen from the perspective of the...
by Matthew Paris
Matthew Paris
Matthew Paris was a Benedictine monk, English chronicler, artist in illuminated manuscripts and cartographer, based at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire...
, one of a number of redactions of his work on English history.
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It is notable as the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 by the Guilds of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
. It covers the period 1240-53. It is his major historical work, but is less heavily illustrated per page than others.
The first two volumes are in Cambridge, whilst the third is bound with the Historia Anglorum in the British Library
British Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
. There are 100 marginal drawings, some fragmentary maps and an itinerary, and full page drawings of William I
William I of England
William I , also known as William the Conqueror , was the first Norman King of England from Christmas 1066 until his death. He was also Duke of Normandy from 3 July 1035 until his death, under the name William II...
, the Elephant with Keeper. MS 16 has very recently had all prefatory matter removed in a rebinding. Most of the text of the Chronica in MS 26 is not in Paris's hand.