A chronicle, in a British context, is a historical account of events arranged in chronological order. It's essentially a record or narrative of past events, often presented in prose or verse, without analysis or interpretation. Examples include the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the Brut Chronicle. Typically, chronicles are written either by a person who existed during that period, or in a period shortly after. Chronicles are supposed to be objective, but they're often subject to bias and will favor the current leadership or monarch. Occasionally, chronicles are a compilation of multiple people that lived throughout a particular time period.
The following is a list of chronicles that are available through the library or through open internet sources. Because chronicles were compiled and written centuries ago, they are available publicly (in the public domain). However, recent translations might not be available in the public domain as the work of the translator is protected by copyright. Chronicles might have multiple access options including print volumes in Butler Library.
The following are access points to several chronicles about Britain from Roman times up until the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a collection of annals in Old English, chronicling the history of the Anglo-Saxons. The original manuscript of the Chronicle was created late in the ninth century, probably in Wessex, during the reign of King Alfred the Great.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle by 
Chronicle of the affairs of England, from the settlement of the Saxons to the reign of King Cnut.
Including Ethelwerds Chronicle; Asser's life of Alfred; Geoffrey of Monmouth's British history; Gildas; Nennius; the spurious chronicle of Richard of Chichester. All relate to the history of Britain before the Norman Conquest.
William of Malmesbury was regarded as one of the best historians of the 12th Century. He 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.
William of Malmesbury's Chronicle of the kings of England : from the earliest period to the reign of King Stephen by Widely known as Polydore Vergil of Urbino, was an Italian humanist scholar, historian, priest and diplomat, who spent much of his life in England. He is particularly remembered for his works the Proverbiorum libellus (1498), a collection of Latin proverbs; De inventoribus rerum (1499), a history of discoveries and origins; and the Anglica Historia (drafted by 1513; printed in 1534), an influential history of England.
The Following chronicles are primary source writings that cover the Normans through the end of the Plantagenet Dynasty. This period included the reigns of Henry II and Henry III through the Hundred Years War and Henry V; and into the Wars of the Roses (The Cousins' War) that ended with the defeat of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
The Flores Historiarum (Flowers of History) is the name of two different (though related) Latin chronicles by medieval English historians that were created in the 13th century, associated originally with the Abbey of St Albans.
Flores Historiarum by Hall's best-known work, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancastre and Yorke, commonly called Hall's Chronicle, was published by the printer Richard Grafton in 1548, the year after Hall's death. This chronicle primary deals with the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) and the union of Henry VII with Elizabeth of York.
Hall's Chronicle by The Paston Letters are a collection of correspondence between members of the Paston family of Norfolk gentry and others connected with them in England between the years 1422 and 1509. The collection also includes state papers and other important documents. The letters are a noted primary source for information about life in England during the Wars of the Roses and the early Tudor period. They are also of interest to linguists and historians of the English language, being written during the Great Vowel Shift, and documenting the transition from Late Middle English to Early Modern English.
Paston Letters and Papers of the 15th Century by Paston Letters, A.D. 1422-1509 by The Croyland Chronicle, also called Crowland Chronicle, is an important primary source for English medieval history, particularly the late 15th century. It is named for its place of origin, the Benedictine Abbey of Croyland or Crowland, in Lincolnshire, England. It was formerly also known as the Chronicle of Ingulf or Ingulphus after its supposed original compiler, the 11th-century abbot Ingulf. As that section of the text is now known to have been a later forgery, its author is instead known as Pseudo-Ingulf. The validity of the source itself has been questioned, partially due to the unknown identity of the original author, and gaps in all continuations of the text. There has also been substantially little effort made to find and translate the original manuscript.
Several historical chronicles were written at the Abbey of Croyland, which was the wealthiest religious foundation in eastern England during the Middle Ages. Alison Weir writes that the chronicles dated before 1117 are "spurious", while the three anonymously written "continuations" that span the periods 1144–1469, 1459–1486 and 1485–1486 are genuine.
Dominic Mancini was an Italian monk who visited England in 1482–3. He witnessed the events leading up to Richard III seizing the English crown. He left in 1483 and wrote a report of what he had witnessed, titling his text De Occupatione Regni Anglie per Riccardum Tercium ('The Occupation of the Throne of England by Richard III'). The account is a major source of information about the period, but it remained lost until rediscovered in 1934 in the Municipal Library of Lille, France, and was subsequently published and translated by C. A. J. Armstrong and titled The Usurpation of of Richard III. Mancini's report was written for Angelo Cato, Archbishop of Vienne, one of the counsellors of King Louis XI of France and also his doctor and astrologer.
The usurpation of Richard the Third : Dominicus Mancinus ad Angelum Catonem de occupatione Regni Anglie per Ricardum Tercium libellus by Widely known as Polydore Vergil of Urbino, was an Italian humanist scholar, historian, priest and diplomat, who spent much of his life in England. He is particularly remembered for his works the Proverbiorum libellus (1498), a collection of Latin proverbs; De inventoribus rerum (1499), a history of discoveries and origins; and the Anglica Historia (drafted by 1513; printed in 1534), an influential history of England.
Sir Thomas More (7 February 1478 – 6 July 1535), venerated in the Catholic Church as Saint Thomas More,was an English lawyer, judge,social philosopher, author, statesman, theologian, and noted Renaissance humanist. He also served Henry VIII as Lord Chancellor from October 1529 to May 1532.His service to HEnrvy VIII almost assuredly influenced his vicious portrayal of Richard III, the last Plantagenet King.
The History of King Richard the Third by John Allen Giles (1808–1884) was an English historian. He was primarily known as a scholar of Anglo-Saxon language and history. He revised Stevens' translation of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He was a fellow at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
James Gairdner CB was a British historian. He specialised in 15th-century and early Tudor history, and among other tasks edited the Letters and Papers of the Reign of Henry VIII series. Son of John Gairdner, M.D. and brother of Sir William Tennant Gairdner, he was born and educated in Edinburgh.
The Rev. William Campbell is most known for his association with the reign of Henry VII and his work on a history of the Tudor period. He compiled and edited "Materials for a History of the Reign of Henry VII". This work was part of the Rolls Series, a collection of historical documents and texts, and it specifically covered the early years of Henry VII's rule.
Materials for a history of the reign of Henry VII. Volume I by Materials for a history of the reign of Henry VII. Volume II by Holinshed was English chronicler, who was most famous for his work on The Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande, commonly known as Holinshed's Chronicles. It was the "first complete printed history of England composed as a continuous narrative".The Holinshed Chronicles was a major influence on many Renaissance writers, such as Shakespeare, Spenser, Daniel, and Marlowe.
Holinshed's Chronicles (1066 to 1576) by The Tudor dynasty was an English royal line that ruled England from 1485 to 1603, beginning with Henry VII and ending with Elizabeth I. They are known for their significant impact on English history, including the English Reformation, the rise of English power, and the golden age of literature and exploration during the Elizabethan era. This dynasty is also known for the reign of King Henry VIII.
A long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. He was the last member of a dynasty of heralds that started with his grandfather—Garter Principal King of Arms John Writhe.
A Chronicle of England During the Reigns of the Tudors, From A.D. 1485 to 1559, better known as Wriothesley's Chronicle, was written during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. This chronicle of English affairs, detailing the accession of Henry VII to the first year of the reign of Elizabeth I, edited by William Douglas Hamilton, was published in two volumes, by the Camden Society in 1875.
A Chronicle of England during the reigns of the Tudors, from A. D. 1485-1559. Volume 1 by Chronicle of England during the reigns of the Tudors, from A. D. 1485-1559. Volume 2 by Chronicle of Calais, formed, or at least once possessed, by Richard Turpyn, a " burgess there." This appeared to be a fragment which, in a brief compass, contained so much historical information previously unpublished, that I was desirous to recommend it to the patronage of the Camden Society, a suggestion which at once received the approval of the Council.
Hall's best-known work, The Union of the Two Noble and Illustre Families of Lancastre and Yorke, commonly called Hall's Chronicle, was published by the printer Richard Grafton in 1548, the year after Hall's death. This chronicle primary deals with the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485) and the union of Henry VII with Elizabeth of York.
Hall's Chronicle by The Greyfriars' Chronicle was a chronicle during the Tudor period. It was published in 1852 and was edited by J.G. Nichols. It documents political and religious events in and around London, England from the reign of Richard I to the reign of Mary I. Most of its content is sixteenth century.
Chronicle of the Grey Friars of London by Edward Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Cherbury (or Chirbury) KB (3 March 1583 – 5 August 1648) was an English soldier, diplomat, historian, poet and religious philosopher. He studied multiple languages and disciplines at University College, Oxford, and began his political career in Parliament, representing the Welsh counties Montgomeryshire and Merioneth. As a soldier, Herbert distinguished himself in the Low Countries, serving under the Prince of Orange. His diplomatic career was most active in Paris, where he aimed to arrange a marriage between Charles, Prince of Wales, and Henrietta Maria, which took place in 1625. Herbert was granted an Irish peerage as the Baron Herbert of Castle Island in 1624, followed by an English barony in 1629.
The life and reign of King Henry the Eighth (Early English Books Online) by John Clapham was born in London and began his professional life as clerk to the lord treasurer, William Cecil, Lord Burghley from around 1590. During this period he performed various roles, acting as burgess for Sudbury, dealing with the repair of English coastal defences, tending to wardship affairs, and becoming closely acquainted with the state of Burghley's health. He was present at Burghley's deathbed in 1598.
Clapham began writing his other history in 1603. Certain Observations Concerning the Life and Reign of Queen Elizabeth contains a substantial biography of Burghley, among other eminent figures, based partly on his own recollections and information provided by Robert Cecil, Burghley's younger son.
Elizabeth of England : certain observations concerning the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth by James Gairdner CB was a British historian. He specialised in 15th-century and early Tudor history, and among other tasks edited the Letters and Papers of the Reign of Henry VIII series. Son of John Gairdner, M.D. and brother of Sir William Tennant Gairdner, he was born and educated in Edinburgh.
Holinshed was English chronicler, who was most famous for his work on The Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande, commonly known as Holinshed's Chronicles. It was the "first complete printed history of England composed as a continuous narrative".The Holinshed Chronicles was a major influence on many Renaissance writers, such as Shakespeare, Spenser, Daniel and Marlowe.
Holinshed's Chronicles (1066 to 1576) by The Stuart dynasty ruled England and Scotland from 1603 to 1714, a period marked by significant political and religious upheaval, including the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution. The dynasty began with James VI of Scotland becoming James I of England, uniting the two crowns for the first time. Key figures include Charles I, whose execution led to a brief period of republican rule, and Charles II, who restored the monarchy. The dynasty ended with Queen Anne's death in 1714, and the Act of Settlement ensured that future monarchs would be Protestant.
Sir Richard Baker (c. 1568 – 18 February 1645) was a politician, historian and religious writer. He was the English author of the Chronicle of the Kings of England and other works. Richard Baker entered Hart Hall, Oxford, as a commoner in 1584. He left the university without taking a degree, studied law in London and afterwards travelled in Europe. In 1593 he was chosen member of parliament for Arundel, in 1594 his university conferred upon him the degree of M.A., and in 1597 he was elected to parliament as the representative of East Grinstead. In 1603 he was knighted by King James I, in 1620 he acted as high sheriff at Oxfordshire where he owned some property, and soon afterwards he married Margaret, daughter of Sir George Mainwaring, of Ightfield, Shropshire.
A chronicle of the kings of England, 43AD to 1645 (Early English Books Online) by British historian. He was one of the founders of the Historical Association in 1906. Esmond de Beer wrote that Firth "knew the men and women of the seventeenth century much as a man knows his friends and acquaintances, not only as characters but also in the whole moral and intellectual world in which they lived."
Stuart tracts, 1603-1693 by Scottish antiquarian, cartographer, author, numismatist, historian, and early advocate of Germanic racial supremacy theory. He was born in Edinburgh, as one of three sons to James Pinkerton and Mary (nee Heron or Bowie) Pinkerton. He lived in the neighbourhood of that city for some of his earliest childhood years, but later moved to Lanark. His studious youth brought him extensive knowledge of the Classics, and it is known that in his childhood years he enjoyed translating Roman authors such as Livy. He moved on to Edinburgh University, and after graduating, remained in the city to take up an apprenticeship in Law. However, his scholarly inclinations led him to abandon the legal profession after he began writing Elegy on Craigmillar Castle, first published in 1776.
Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist who was best known for his highly influential system of empiricism, philosophical scepticism and metaphysical naturalism. His access to research materials it provided, resulted in Hume's writing the massive six-volume The History of England, which became a bestseller and the definitive history of England. For over 60 years, Hume was the dominant interpreter of English history.
He was a son of John Oldmixon of Oldmixon, Weston-super-Mare in Somerset.He was brought up by the family of Admiral Robert Blake in Bridgwater and later became involved in trade through the port of Bristol. More important, although very biased, are Oldmixon's works on English history. His Critical History of England (1724-1726) contains attacks on Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon and a defence of Bishop Gilbert Burnet, and its publication led to a controversy between Dr Zachary Grey and the author, who replied to Grey in his Clarendon and Whitlock Compared (1727). On the same lines, he wrote his History of England During the Reigns of the Royal House of Stuart (1730). Herein, he charged Francis Atterbury and other editors with tampering with the text of the History. From his exile, Atterbury replied to this charge in a Vindication, and although Oldmixon continued the controversy it is practically certain that he was in the wrong. He completed a continuous history of England by writing the History of England During the Reigns of William and Mary, Anne and George I (1735); and the History of England During the Reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth (1739).
