A Collection of the Chronicles and Ancient Histories of Great Britain, Now Called England

In the mid-1440s, French knight Jean de Wavrin (c.1400–c.1473) took on the monumental task of compiling the first full-length history of England, spanning almost two millennia. Wavrin, who belonged to a noble family of Artois, was a chronicler under Philip the Good and Charles the Bold, Dukes of Burgundy. During his military career, he often fought on the side of the English, and was keen to keep the kingdom as an ally. He gathered a unique collection of records and used his own first-hand observations to write a work that provides a fascinating insight into the interests and methods of a medieval historian. Part of the Rolls series of publications of historical documents, this volume, published in 1864, was translated and edited by the archivist and antiquarian Sir William Hardy (1807–87). It ranges from Albion's mythical origins to the abdication and conversion of King Cædwalla of Wessex.