Medieval England writers

• Anglo Saxon Chronicle


  -Year by year

  -Largely factual and contemporary.

  -Regional source (controlled due to local and personal concerns), not authoritative for the whole country.
• William of Malmesbury 


  -Commissioned to write the History of the English Kings by Henry 1's wife (pressure to write positively about royalty.)

  -Benedictine monk, critical of abuse of the church but limited by commission.

  -Known to have travelled to verify sources.
• William of Malmesbury 


  -Commissioned to write the History of the English Kings by Henry 1's wife (pressure to write positively about royalty.)

  -Benedictine monk, critical of abuse of the church but limited by commission.

  -Known to have travelled to verify sources.
• Henry of Huntingdon (history of the English People)


  -Saw himself as an Englishman despite being Anglo-Norman

  -High placed cleric in the time of Henry 1 - detached?

  -Much of his writing was based on those who had been at court with Rufus.

  -His mentor (Robert Bloet) had been chancellor to Rufus. Bloet also had to pay £5k to become Bishop of Lincoln.

  -Critical of Rufus in church matters
• Eadmer


  -Monk at Canterbury.

  -One of the only writers who actually witnessed the events he documented.

  -Anselm was Eadmer's hero-biased and extra critical of Rufus?
• Orderic Vitalis

  -Generally relied on his own evidence from oral sources (didn't have access to important people in the land)

  -Tended to be critical of Rufus church policy but complimentary of military skill.

  -Born in England, writing not so one sided.
• John/Florence of Worcester

  -Writing in the time of Henry 1

  -Complimentary of king in secular matters, critical in church dealings.

  -Had access to Eadmer's work, support negative impression of Rufus in church matters.