Everything about William Of Malmesbury totally explained
William of Malmesbury (c. 1080/1095–c. 1143),
English historian of the 12th century, was born about the year 1080/1095, in
Wiltshire. His father was
Norman and his mother English. He spent his whole life in
England with his most productive working years as a
monk at
Malmesbury Abbey.
Biography
The education William received at Malmesbury Abbey included a smattering of
logic and
physics;
Moral philosophy and
history, however, were the subjects to which he devoted most attention. During the course of his studies, he amassed a collection of medieval histories, which inspired in him the idea for a popular account of English history, modeled on the
Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (
Ecclesiastical History of the English People) of
Bede. William's obvious repect for Bede is apparent even within the preface of his history, where he professes his admiration for the man.
In fulfilment of this idea, William produced around AD 1120 his first edition of the
Gesta regum anglorum (
Deeds of the English kings) which spanned from AD 449-1120. He later edited and expanded it up to the year 1127, releasing a second edition dedicated to Earl Robert of Gloucester. This second edition of the Gesta regum anglorum is now considered by modern scholars to be one of the great histories of England. William's first edition of the
Gesta regum anglorum was followed by the
Gesta pontificum anglorum (
Deeds of the English Bishops) in 1125.
Around this time, William formed an acquaintance with Bishop
Roger of Salisbury, who had a castle at
Malmesbury. It is possible that this acquaintance, coupled with the positive reception of his Gesta regum earned him the offered position of Abbot of Malmesbury Abbey in 1140. William, however, preferred his duties as librarian and scholar and declined the offer. His one public appearance was made at the council of
Winchester in 1141, in which the clergy declared for the empress
Matilda. He continued his chronicles with the
Historia Novella, or
modern history, a three-book chronicle that stretched from A.D. 1128-1142, including important accounts of
the anarchy of
King Stephen's reign. This work breaks off abruptly at the end of 1142, with an unfulfilled promise that it'll be continued. Presumably, William died before he could redeem his pledge.
Significance
He is lauded by many, including
John Milton, to be one of the best English historians of his time, and remains known for strong documentation and his clear, engaging writing style. A strong Latin stylist, he shows literary and historiographical instincts which are, for his time, remarkably sound. He is an authority of considerable value from 1066 onwards; many telling anecdotes and shrewd judgments on persons and events can be gleaned from his pages. Some scholars criticize him for his atypical annalistic form, calling his chronology less than satisfactory and his arrangement of material careless. But his works are still considered invaluable, and despite these shortcomings, William of Malmesbury remains one of the most celebrated English chroniclers of the 12th century.
Bibliography
- William of Malmesbury: Gesta Regum Anglorum (Deeds of the English Kings), Vol I, Edited and Translated by R. A. B. Mynors, Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN 0-19-820678-X
- William of Malmesbury: Gesta Regum Anglorum (Deeds of the English Kings), Volume II: General Introduction and Commentary, R. M. Thomson and M. Winterbottom, Oxford Universitynts' Lives, Edited by M. Winterbottom and R. M. Thomson, Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0-19-820709-3
- William of Malmesbury: Historia Novella (The Contemporary History), Edited by Edmund King, translated by K. R. Potter, Oxford University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-19-820192-3
- William of Malmesbury, Chronicle of the Kings of England, Translation by Rev. John Sharpe, 1815. J.A. Giles, editor. London: George Bell and Sons, 1904.
- William of Malmesbury: The Deeds of the Bishops of England [GestaPontificum Anglorum], Translated by David Preest, 2002, ISBN 0-85115-884-6
- Rodney M Thomson, William of Malmesbury, ISBN 1-84383-030-2
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