Croyland Chronicle
Encyclopedia
The Croyland Chronicle is an important, if not always reliable, primary source for English
medieval history, in particular the late fifteenth century. It was written at the Benedictine
Abbey of Croyland
, in Lincolnshire
, England, off and on from 655 to 1486, and its first author claimed to be 'Ingulph
' or 'Ingulf' of Croyland'. This author is now referred to as Pseudo-Ingulf
.
The part that covers the years 1459–1486 was written in April 1486 (after Henry Tudor had become Henry VII of England
) by someone who had access to information from the court
of Richard III
—described as being a doctor of canon law and member of Edward IV
's council. Some historians believe that author was John Russell
, Bishop of Lincoln
, who was Richard's Chancellor
for most of his reign (until Richard dismissed him on July 24, 1485) but who now wanted to please the new king Henry. Others conclude the work was written by a monk of Crowland who has edited a secular source.
Over the years, there has been confusion between the second and third continuator
s, and the fourth continuator claims not to know the identity of the third. It is, in fact, the second continuator (covering the period 1459–1486) who claims to be writing in April 1486, and, sure enough, this section ends with the marriage of Henry VII of England
and Elizabeth of York
and the rebellion that followed
. This date ties in with the survival of a copy of Titulus Regius
in the text, and Russell is known to have been at Crowland
during April, 1486.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
medieval history, in particular the late fifteenth century. It was written at the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
Abbey of Croyland
Croyland Abbey
Crowland Abbey is a Church of England parish church, formerly part of a Benedictine abbey church, in Crowland in the English county of Lincolnshire.-History:...
, in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, England, off and on from 655 to 1486, and its first author claimed to be 'Ingulph
Ingulph
Ingulph was a Benedictine abbot of Crowland, head of Crowland Abbey in Lincolnshire. He was an Englishman who, having travelled to England on diplomatic business as secretary of William, Duke of Normandy in 1051, was made Abbot of Crowland in 1087 at Duke William's instigation after he had...
' or 'Ingulf' of Croyland'. This author is now referred to as Pseudo-Ingulf
Pseudo-Ingulf
Pseudo-Ingulf is the name given to an unknown English author of the Historia Monasterii Croylandensis, also known as the Croyland Chronicle. Nothing certain is known of Pseudo-Ingulf although it is generally assumed that he was connected with Croyland Abbey....
.
The part that covers the years 1459–1486 was written in April 1486 (after Henry Tudor had become Henry VII of England
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
) by someone who had access to information from the court
Noble court
The court of a monarch, or at some periods an important nobleman, is a term for the extended household and all those who regularly attended on the ruler or central figure...
of Richard III
Richard III of England
Richard III was King of England for two years, from 1483 until his death in 1485 during the Battle of Bosworth Field. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty...
—described as being a doctor of canon law and member of Edward IV
Edward IV of England
Edward IV was King of England from 4 March 1461 until 3 October 1470, and again from 11 April 1471 until his death. He was the first Yorkist King of England...
's council. Some historians believe that author was John Russell
John Russell (bishop)
John Russell was an English Bishop of Rochester and bishop of Lincoln and Lord Chancellor.-Life:Russell was admitted to Winchester College in 1443, and in 1449 went to Oxford as Fellow of New College...
, Bishop of Lincoln
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
, who was Richard's Chancellor
Chancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
for most of his reign (until Richard dismissed him on July 24, 1485) but who now wanted to please the new king Henry. Others conclude the work was written by a monk of Crowland who has edited a secular source.
Over the years, there has been confusion between the second and third continuator
Continuator
A continuator, in literature, is a writer who creates a new work based on someone else's prior text, such as a novel or novel fragment. The new work may complete the older work , or may try to serve as a sequel or prequel to the older work A continuator, in literature, is a writer who creates a new...
s, and the fourth continuator claims not to know the identity of the third. It is, in fact, the second continuator (covering the period 1459–1486) who claims to be writing in April 1486, and, sure enough, this section ends with the marriage of Henry VII of England
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
and Elizabeth of York
Elizabeth of York
Elizabeth of York was Queen consort of England as spouse of King Henry VII from 1486 until 1503, and mother of King Henry VIII of England....
and the rebellion that followed
Lambert Simnel
Lambert Simnel was a pretender to the throne of England. His claim to be the Earl of Warwick in 1487 threatened the newly established reign of King Henry VII .-Early life:...
. This date ties in with the survival of a copy of Titulus Regius
Titulus Regius
Titulus Regius is a statute of the Parliament of England, issued in 1484, by which the title of King of England was given to Richard III of England....
in the text, and Russell is known to have been at Crowland
Crowland
Crowland or Croyland is a small town in south Lincolnshire, England, positioned between Peterborough and Spalding, with two sites of historical interest.-Geography:...
during April, 1486.
External links
- Ingulph's Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland: With the Continuations by Peter of Blois and Anomymous Writers. Translated by Henry Thomas Riley. London: H. G. Bohn. 1854. 546pp.
- Croyland Chronicles online