John of Fordun
Encyclopedia
John of Fordun was a Scottish
chronicler. It is generally stated that he was born at Fordoun
, Mearns
. It is certain that he was a secular priest
, and that he composed his history in the latter part of the 14th century; and it is probable that he was a chaplain
in the St Machar's Cathedral of Aberdeen
.
The work of Fordun is the earliest attempt to write a continuous history of Scotland
. We are informed that Fordun's patriotic zeal was roused by the removal or destruction of many national records by Edward III
and that he travelled in England and Ireland
, collecting material for his history.
Collectively, this work, divided into five books, is known as the Chronica Gentis Scotorum
. The first three are unverified historically, which therefore casts doubt on their accuracy, yet they also form the groundwork on which Boece
and George Buchanan
afterwards based some of their historical writings, much of which was exposed by Thomas Innes
as doubtful in his Critical Essay (i, pp. 201–2,4). The 4th and 5th books contain much valuable information, and become more authentic the more nearly they approach the author's own time. The 5th book concludes with the death of King David I
in 1153.
Besides these five books, published around 1360, Fordun also wrote part of another book, and collected materials for bringing down the history to a later period. These materials were used by a continuator
who wrote in the middle of the 15th century, and who is identified with Walter Bower
, abbot
of the monastery of Inchcolm
. The additions of Bower form eleven books, and bring down the narrative to the death of King James I
in 1437. According to the custom of the time, the continuator did not hesitate to interpolate Fordun's portion of the work, with additions of his own, and the whole history thus compiled is known as the Scotichronicon
.
The first printed edition of Fordun's work was that of Thomas Gale
in his Scriptores quindecim (vol. iii), which was published in 1691. This was followed by Thomas Hearne
's (5 vol.) edition in 1722. The whole work, including Bower's continuation, was published by Walter Goodall
at Edinburgh
in 1759. In 1871 and 1872 Fordun's chronicle, in the original Latin
and in an English
translation, was edited by William F Skene
in The Historians of Scotland. The preface to this edition collects all the biographical details and gives full references to manuscript
s and editions.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
chronicler. It is generally stated that he was born at Fordoun
Fordoun
Fordoun is a village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Fothirdun , as it was historically known, was an important area in the Howe of the Mearns...
, Mearns
Mearns
Mearns can refer to*Mearns Academy* Mearns, Alberta* Mearns Castle*Mearns Castle High School* Mearns FM* Mearns Primary School* Kincardineshire, the County of Kincardine, The Mearns in Scotland* Newton Mearnsin biology:...
. It is certain that he was a secular priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
, and that he composed his history in the latter part of the 14th century; and it is probable that he was a chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
in the St Machar's Cathedral of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
.
The work of Fordun is the earliest attempt to write a continuous history of Scotland
History of Scotland
The history of Scotland begins around 10,000 years ago, when humans first began to inhabit what is now Scotland after the end of the Devensian glaciation, the last ice age...
. We are informed that Fordun's patriotic zeal was roused by the removal or destruction of many national records by Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
and that he travelled in England and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, collecting material for his history.
Collectively, this work, divided into five books, is known as the Chronica Gentis Scotorum
Chronica Gentis Scotorum
The Chronica Gentis Scotorum or Chronicles of the Scottish People was the first substantial work of Scottish history. It was written by the priest John of Fordun, starting in 1363 until his death in 1385....
. The first three are unverified historically, which therefore casts doubt on their accuracy, yet they also form the groundwork on which Boece
Boëcé
Boëcé is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France.-Changes in population:-See also:*Communes of the Orne department*...
and George Buchanan
George Buchanan (humanist)
George Buchanan was a Scottish historian and humanist scholar. He was part of the Monarchomach movement.-Early life:...
afterwards based some of their historical writings, much of which was exposed by Thomas Innes
Thomas Innes
Thomas Innes was a Scottish Roman Catholic priest and historian. He studied at the Scots College, , of which he became vice-principal...
as doubtful in his Critical Essay (i, pp. 201–2,4). The 4th and 5th books contain much valuable information, and become more authentic the more nearly they approach the author's own time. The 5th book concludes with the death of King David I
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
in 1153.
Besides these five books, published around 1360, Fordun also wrote part of another book, and collected materials for bringing down the history to a later period. These materials were used by a 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...
who wrote in the middle of the 15th century, and who is identified with Walter Bower
Walter Bower
Walter Bower , Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian.He was abbot of Inchcolm Abbey from 1418, was one of the commissioners for the collection of the ransom of James I, King of Scots, in 1423 and 1424, and in 1433 one of the embassy to Paris on the business of the...
, abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
of the monastery of Inchcolm
Inchcolm Abbey
Inchcolm Abbey is a medieval abbey located on the island of Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth in Scotland. The Abbey, which is located at the centre of the island, was founded in the 12th century during the episcopate of Gregoir, Bishop of Dunkeld. Later tradition placed it back in the reign of King...
. The additions of Bower form eleven books, and bring down the narrative to the death of King James I
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
in 1437. According to the custom of the time, the continuator did not hesitate to interpolate Fordun's portion of the work, with additions of his own, and the whole history thus compiled is known as the Scotichronicon
Scotichronicon
The Scotichronicon is a 15th-century chronicle or legendary account, by the Scottish historian Walter Bower. It is a continuation of historian-priest John of Fordun's earlier work Chronica Gentis Scotorum beginning with the founding of Scotland of mediaeval legend, by Scota with Goídel...
.
The first printed edition of Fordun's work was that of Thomas Gale
Thomas Gale
Thomas Gale was an English classical scholar, antiquarian and cleric.-Life:He was born at Scruton, Yorkshire...
in his Scriptores quindecim (vol. iii), which was published in 1691. This was followed by Thomas Hearne
Thomas Hearne
Thomas Hearne or Hearn , English antiquary, was born at Littlefield Green in the parish of White Waltham, Berkshire.-Life:...
's (5 vol.) edition in 1722. The whole work, including Bower's continuation, was published by Walter Goodall
Walter Goodall
Walter Goodall , historical writer, born in Banffshire, and educated at King's College, University of Aberdeen. Afterwards he became assistant librarian to the Advocates' Library in Edinburgh...
at Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1759. In 1871 and 1872 Fordun's chronicle, in the original 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...
and in an English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translation, was edited by William F Skene
William Forbes Skene
William Forbes Skene , Scottish historian and antiquary, was the second son of Sir Walter Scott's friend, James Skene , of Rubislaw, near Aberdeen....
in The Historians of Scotland. The preface to this edition collects all the biographical details and gives full references to manuscript
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
s and editions.