Ralph de Diceto
Encyclopedia
Ralph de Diceto was archdeacon of Middlesex, dean of St Paul's
Cathedral (from c. 1180), and author of two chronicles, the Abbreviationes Chronicorum and the Ymagines Historiarum.
. He was probably born between 1120 and 1130; of his parentage and nationality we know nothing. The common statement that he derived his surname from Diss in Norfolk
is a mere conjecture. Dicetum may equally well be a Latinized form of Dissai, or Dicy
, or Dizy, place-names which are found in Maine, Picardy, Burgundy and Champagne.
In 1152 Diceto was already a master of arts and presumably, he had studied at Paris. His reputation for learning and integrity stood high. He was regarded with respect and favor by Arnulf of Lisieux
and Gilbert Foliot of Hereford (afterwards of London), two of the most eminent bishops of their time. Quite naturally, the archdeacon took in the Becket
question the same side as his friends.
Although his narrative is colourless, and although he was one of those who showed some sympathy for Becket at the council of Northampton (1164), the correspondence of Diceto shows that he regarded the archbishops conduct as ill-considered, and that he gave advice to those whom Becket regarded as his chief enemies.
Diceto was selected, in 1166, as the envoy of the English bishops when they protested against the excommunications launched by Becket. But, apart from this episode, which he characteristically omits to record, he remained in the background. The natural impartiality of his intellect was accentuated by a certain timidity, which is apparent in his writings no less than in his life.
His friendships with Richard Fitz Nigel, who succeeded Foliot in the see of London, with William Longchamp
, the chancellor of Richard I
, and with Walter de Coutances
, the archbishop of Rouen
, gave him excellent opportunities of collecting information.
to the year 1202. The former, which ends in 1147, is a work of learning and industry, but almost entirely based upon extant sources. The latter, beginning as a compilation from Robert de Monte and the letters of Foliot, becomes an original authority about 1172, and a contemporary record about 1181. In precision and fullness of detail the Ymagines are inferior to the chronicles of the so-called Benedict and of Hoveden
.
Though an annalist, Diceto is careless in his chronology. The documents which he incorporates, while often important, are selected on no principle. He has little sense of style, but displays considerable insight when he ventures to discuss a political situation. For this reason, and on account of the details with which they supplement the more important chronicles of the period, the Ymagines are a valuable though a secondary source.
Dean of St Paul's
The Dean of St Paul's is the head of the Chapter of St Paul's Cathedral in London, England in the Church of England. The most recent Dean, Graeme Knowles, formerly Bishop of Sodor and Man, was installed on 1 October 2007 and resigned on 31 October 2011...
Cathedral (from c. 1180), and author of two chronicles, the Abbreviationes Chronicorum and the Ymagines Historiarum.
Early career
He is first mentioned in 1152, when he received the archdeaconry of MiddlesexMiddlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
. He was probably born between 1120 and 1130; of his parentage and nationality we know nothing. The common statement that he derived his surname from Diss in Norfolk
Diss
Diss is a town in Norfolk, England close to the border with the neighbouring East Anglian county of Suffolk.The town lies in the valley of the River Waveney, around a mere that covers . The mere is up to deep, although there is another of mud, making it one of the deepest natural inland lakes...
is a mere conjecture. Dicetum may equally well be a Latinized form of Dissai, or Dicy
Dicy
Dicy is a commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in north-central France....
, or Dizy, place-names which are found in Maine, Picardy, Burgundy and Champagne.
In 1152 Diceto was already a master of arts and presumably, he had studied at Paris. His reputation for learning and integrity stood high. He was regarded with respect and favor by Arnulf of Lisieux
Arnulf of Lisieux
"Arnoul" redirects here. For the Cyborg 009 character, Francoise Arnoul, see more info in Cyborg 009.Arnulf of Lisieux was a medieval French bishop.He was educated by his brother, the Bishop of Sées, and studied canon law at Rome...
and Gilbert Foliot of Hereford (afterwards of London), two of the most eminent bishops of their time. Quite naturally, the archdeacon took in the Becket
Thomas Becket
Thomas Becket was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his murder in 1170. He is venerated as a saint and martyr by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion...
question the same side as his friends.
Although his narrative is colourless, and although he was one of those who showed some sympathy for Becket at the council of Northampton (1164), the correspondence of Diceto shows that he regarded the archbishops conduct as ill-considered, and that he gave advice to those whom Becket regarded as his chief enemies.
Diceto was selected, in 1166, as the envoy of the English bishops when they protested against the excommunications launched by Becket. But, apart from this episode, which he characteristically omits to record, he remained in the background. The natural impartiality of his intellect was accentuated by a certain timidity, which is apparent in his writings no less than in his life.
Dean of St Paul's
About 1180 be became dean of St Paul's. In this office he distinguished himself by careful management of the estates, by restoring the discipline of the chapter, and by building at his own expense a deanery-house. A scholar and a man of considerable erudition, he showed a strong preference for historical studies; and about the time when he was preferred to the deanery he began to collect materials for the history of his own times.His friendships with Richard Fitz Nigel, who succeeded Foliot in the see of London, with William Longchamp
William Longchamp
William Longchamp , sometimes known as William de Longchamp or William de Longchamps, was a medieval Lord Chancellor, Chief Justiciar, and Bishop of Ely in England. Born to a humble family in Normandy, he owed his advancement to royal favour. Although contemporary writers accused Longchamp's father...
, the chancellor of Richard I
Richard I of England
Richard I was King of England from 6 July 1189 until his death. He also ruled as Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Lord of Cyprus, Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Count of Nantes, and Overlord of Brittany at various times during the same period...
, and with Walter de Coutances
Walter de Coutances
Walter de Coutances was a medieval English Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of Rouen. He began his royal service in the government of Henry II, serving as a vice-chancellor...
, the archbishop of Rouen
Archbishop of Rouen
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rouen is an Archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in France. As one of the fifteen Archbishops of France, the ecclesiastical province of the archdiocese comprises the majority of Normandy....
, gave him excellent opportunities of collecting information.
Writings
His two chief works, the Abbreviationes Chronicorum and the Ymagines Historiarum, cover the history of the world from the birth of ChristChrist
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
to the year 1202. The former, which ends in 1147, is a work of learning and industry, but almost entirely based upon extant sources. The latter, beginning as a compilation from Robert de Monte and the letters of Foliot, becomes an original authority about 1172, and a contemporary record about 1181. In precision and fullness of detail the Ymagines are inferior to the chronicles of the so-called Benedict and of Hoveden
Roger of Hoveden
Roger of Hoveden, or Howden , was a 12th-century English chronicler.From Hoveden's name and the internal evidence of his work, he is believed to have been a native of Howden in East Yorkshire. Nothing is known of him before the year 1174. He was then in attendance upon Henry II, by whom he was sent...
.
Though an annalist, Diceto is careless in his chronology. The documents which he incorporates, while often important, are selected on no principle. He has little sense of style, but displays considerable insight when he ventures to discuss a political situation. For this reason, and on account of the details with which they supplement the more important chronicles of the period, the Ymagines are a valuable though a secondary source.
Editions of Diceto's writings
- Stubbs, WilliamWilliam StubbsWilliam Stubbs was an English historian and Bishop of Oxford.The son of William Morley Stubbs, a solicitor, he was born at Knaresborough, Yorkshire, and was educated at Ripon Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated in 1848, obtaining a first-class in classics and a third in...
(ed.). Radulfi de Diceto decani Lundoniensis opera historica. The historical works of master Ralph de Diceto, dean of London. 2 vols. Rolls, Rerum Britannicarum Medii Aevi Scriptores 68. 1876. The first volume contains editions of the Abbreviationes chronicorum, Capitula ymaginum historiarum and the Ymagines historiarum, with introduction. The second volume (Ymagines, continued, 1180-1202, minor works, and miscellaneous documents appended to the preface) contains minor works which are the barest compendia of facts taken from well-known sources. - Hale, W. H.William Hale HaleWilliam Hale Hale was an English churchman and author, Archdeacon of London in the Church of England, and Master of Charterhouse School.-Life:...
(ed.). The Domesday of St Pauls. Camden SocietyCamden SocietyThe Camden Society, named after the English antiquary and historian William Camden, was founded in 1838 in London to publish early historical and literary materials, both unpublished manuscripts and new editions of rare printed books....
, 1858. pp. 109 ff. Diceto's fragmentary Domesday of the capitular estates.
Further reading
- Duggan, C. and A. Duggan. "Ralph de Diceto, Henry II and Becket." In Authority and Power: Studies on Medieval Law and Government presented to W. Ullmann, ed. by B. Tierneyand P. Linehan. Cambridge, 1980. pp. 59-81. With an appendix on decretal letters.
- Gillingham, John. "Historians without hindsight: Coggeshall, Diceto and Howden on the early years of John's reign." In King John: New interpretations, ed. S.D. Church. Woodbridge: Boydell, 1999. pp. 1-26.
- Greenway, Diana E. "Succession to Ralph de Diceto, dean of St Paul's." Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research 39 (1966): 86-95.
- Gundermann, Gotthold. "Trogus und Gellius bei Radulfus de Diceto." Leipzig, 1926.
- Harrison, Julian. "The English reception of Hugh of Saint-Victor's Chronicle." The Electronic British Library Journal (2002).
- McDonald, Richard Blaise. "Diceto, Ralph (c. 1120s-1202)." In Encyclopedia of medieval literature, ed. by R.T. and L.C. Lambdin. Westport, Conn., 2000.
- Möhring, Hannes. "Zwei aiyubidische Briefe an Alexander III. und Lucius III. bei Radulf de Diceto zum Kriegsgefangenenproblem." Archiv für Diplomatik 46 (2000): pp. 197-216.
- Zinn, G.A. "The influence of Hugh of St Victor's Chronicon on the Abbreviationes Chronicorum of Ralph of Diceto." Speculum 52 (1977): 38-61.
- Villegas Aristizabal, L., "Revisión de las crónicas de Ralph de Diceto y de la Gesta regis Ricardi sobre la participación de la flota angevina durante la Tercera Cruzada en Portugal," Studia Historica- Historia Medieval 27 (2009): 153-170.