Chronicon Roskildense
Encyclopedia
Chronicon Roskildense a small Danish
historical work, which except for few yearbooks, is the oldest known attempt to write a coherent account of Danish history
by a Danish author, from the time of the introduction of Christianity
in Denmark to the author's own time. Written in Latin
.
The original chronicle covers the timeframe 826 to c. 1140. A later addition from King Valdemar I
's time, of a few more pages, takes the chronicle to 1157, when King Valdemar I
gains the throne of Denmark. However these additional pages is mostly direct quotes from other sources.
The author is unknown, but it is thought he must have had some relationship to Roskilde Cathedral
, as he is very confident with matters dealing with Roskilde. Churchly matters are not of special interest to him, he writes lively and vividly about all kinds of matters happing around him. Events themselves are only briefly covered while persons taking part in them or even created them, are throughout covered with great passion.
Unlike Saxo's Gesta Danorum
or Svend Aagesen
's Brevis Historia Regum Dacie which is Danish history as seen from our time, Chronicon Roskildense often covers the 'losing' side in these very same events told of by Saxo and Svend Aggesen. At times the author can seem very bitter and blinded by politic, however this fact also makes this chronicle a very interesting piece of work. 'Winners' write history, this work is history seen from the 'losing' side.
The early part of the work is in many cases based on Adam of Bremen
's Descriptio insularum Aquilonis, sometime even direct quotes, however the author only takes what he needs and the meaning is not always the same.
As with many Danish chronicles the exact time of writing is not known for sure. The original chronicle ends very sudden. Olaf "II" Haraldsen, son of Harald Kesja
is spoken of as still alive. He is killed in 1143. The last subject written about, is Rikes and Eskil
quarrel over the Archbishop seat of Lund
, which falls to Eskil. This happens in 1137-1138. So the book must be finished between 1138 and 1143. But as said the work ends very abruptly, so this might not have been the intended ending.
The original manuscript is lost today and the chronicle exists now only in copies made in the 13th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Latin copies reside in:
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
historical work, which except for few yearbooks, is the oldest known attempt to write a coherent account of Danish history
History of Denmark
The history of Denmark dates back about 12,000 years, to the end of the last ice age, with the earliest evidence of human inhabitation. The Danes were first documented in written sources around 500 AD, including in the writings of Jordanes and Procopius. With the Christianization of the Danes c...
by a Danish author, from the time of the introduction of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
in Denmark to the author's own time. Written in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
.
The original chronicle covers the timeframe 826 to c. 1140. A later addition from King Valdemar I
Valdemar I of Denmark
Valdemar I of Denmark , also known as Valdemar the Great, was King of Denmark from 1157 until 1182.-Biography:...
's time, of a few more pages, takes the chronicle to 1157, when King Valdemar I
Valdemar I of Denmark
Valdemar I of Denmark , also known as Valdemar the Great, was King of Denmark from 1157 until 1182.-Biography:...
gains the throne of Denmark. However these additional pages is mostly direct quotes from other sources.
The author is unknown, but it is thought he must have had some relationship to Roskilde Cathedral
Roskilde Cathedral
Roskilde Cathedral , in the city of Roskilde on the island of Zealand in eastern Denmark, is a cathedral of the Lutheran Church of Denmark. The first Gothic cathedral to be built of brick, it encouraged the spread of the Brick Gothic style throughout Northern Europe...
, as he is very confident with matters dealing with Roskilde. Churchly matters are not of special interest to him, he writes lively and vividly about all kinds of matters happing around him. Events themselves are only briefly covered while persons taking part in them or even created them, are throughout covered with great passion.
Unlike Saxo's Gesta Danorum
Gesta Danorum
Gesta Danorum is a patriotic work of Danish history, by the 12th century author Saxo Grammaticus . It is the most ambitious literary undertaking of medieval Denmark and is an essential source for the nation's early history...
or Svend Aagesen
Svend Aagesen
Svend Aggesen is most famous, in Denmark at least, as the author of one of the first attempts to write a coherent history of Denmark covering the period 300AD-1185AD...
's Brevis Historia Regum Dacie which is Danish history as seen from our time, Chronicon Roskildense often covers the 'losing' side in these very same events told of by Saxo and Svend Aggesen. At times the author can seem very bitter and blinded by politic, however this fact also makes this chronicle a very interesting piece of work. 'Winners' write history, this work is history seen from the 'losing' side.
The early part of the work is in many cases based on Adam of Bremen
Adam of Bremen
Adam of Bremen was a German medieval chronicler. He lived and worked in the second half of the eleventh century. He is most famous for his chronicle Gesta Hammaburgensis Ecclesiae Pontificum .-Background:Little is known of his life other than hints from his own chronicles...
's Descriptio insularum Aquilonis, sometime even direct quotes, however the author only takes what he needs and the meaning is not always the same.
As with many Danish chronicles the exact time of writing is not known for sure. The original chronicle ends very sudden. Olaf "II" Haraldsen, son of Harald Kesja
Harald Kesja
Harald Kesja, Harald the Spear, was the son of Eric I of Denmark and anti-king of Denmark.He acted as regent 1103-1104 for his father while he was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem alongside Archbishop Asser of Lund. As regent, he was courageous, but violent, cruel and debauched. Harald plundered far and...
is spoken of as still alive. He is killed in 1143. The last subject written about, is Rikes and Eskil
Eskil of Lund
Eskil was a 12th century Archbishop of Lund, in Skåne, Denmark .He was one of the most capable and prominent princes of the Church in Scandinavia...
quarrel over the Archbishop seat of Lund
Diocese of Lund
-External links:* from Nordisk Familjebok, in Swedish...
, which falls to Eskil. This happens in 1137-1138. So the book must be finished between 1138 and 1143. But as said the work ends very abruptly, so this might not have been the intended ending.
The original manuscript is lost today and the chronicle exists now only in copies made in the 13th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Latin copies reside in:
- University Library, KielUniversity of KielThe University of Kiel is a university in the city of Kiel, Germany. It was founded in 1665 as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and has approximately 23,000 students today...
, S. H. 8 A.8° (13th century). Known as Codex Kiloniensis. - Den Arnamagnæanske Samling, CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
, AM 107 8o (16th century). - Uppsala University LibraryUppsala University LibraryUppsala University Library at Uppsala University in Uppsala, Sweden, consists of 12 subject libraries, one of which is housed in the old main library building, Carolina Rediviva...
, De la Gardie XXV-XXIX (17th century).