Historian. Born the son of Norman father and an English mother, he was educated at the Malmesbury Abbey school. Eventually he took orders and became a monk at the abbey, serving as librarian of the monastery. He became noted as an outstanding historian, searching out new primary sources including those of foreign origin for his research. His earliest major work was "Gesta regum Anglorum" (Deeds of the Kings of England) an English history in five volumes, first published in 1125. Other work included "De antiquitate Glastoniensis ecclesiae" (Concerning the Antiquity of Glastonbury) published between 1129 and 1135, and "Historia novella" (New History) which was a continuation to 1142 of the "Gesta regum" and included eyewitness testimony concerning the civil war between the forces of King Stephen and his cousin the Empress Matilda. A promised fourth volume of the history was never completed, presumably due to his death. He is considered to be one of the greatest English historians of his time.
Historian. Born the son of Norman father and an English mother, he was educated at the Malmesbury Abbey school. Eventually he took orders and became a monk at the abbey, serving as librarian of the monastery. He became noted as an outstanding historian, searching out new primary sources including those of foreign origin for his research. His earliest major work was "Gesta regum Anglorum" (Deeds of the Kings of England) an English history in five volumes, first published in 1125. Other work included "De antiquitate Glastoniensis ecclesiae" (Concerning the Antiquity of Glastonbury) published between 1129 and 1135, and "Historia novella" (New History) which was a continuation to 1142 of the "Gesta regum" and included eyewitness testimony concerning the civil war between the forces of King Stephen and his cousin the Empress Matilda. A promised fourth volume of the history was never completed, presumably due to his death. He is considered to be one of the greatest English historians of his time.
Bio by: Iola
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