Vita Edwardi Secundi
Encyclopedia
The Vita Edwardi Secundi (Life of Edward II) is a Latin
chronicle
most likely written in 1326 by an unknown English medieval historian
contemporary to Edward II
. It covers the period from 1307 until its abrupt end in 1326.
The earliest surviving version of the Vita is a copy made by Thomas Hearne
in 1729 from a manuscript lent to him by James West. The original is thought to have been burnt some years later along with many of West’s other papers.
The manuscript is known to have come from the Benedictine
Abbey of Malmesbury
, but it is not known if the work was written there.
The author is unknown, but aspects of his character can be inferred from his work.
He was a highly educated person, shown in his use of biblical quotations and knowledgeable references to the Civil Law
of the time. He was likely to have been of advanced age, due to both his apparent death in 1326 and his despair at “the young men of today.”
A popular candidate for the authorship of the Vita is a lawyer from Herefordshire and clerk to the Earl of Hereford
: John Walwayn.
The most recent theory about the date in which it was written was put forward by Professor C.J. Given-Wilson. He thought the Vita was written at intervals throughout Edward’s reign, this is supported by the seeming lack of future knowledge shown by the author at different stages of his work.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
chronicle
Chronicle
Generally a chronicle is a historical account of facts and events ranged in chronological order, as in a time line. Typically, equal weight is given for historically important events and local events, the purpose being the recording of events that occurred, seen from the perspective of the...
most likely written in 1326 by an unknown English medieval historian
English historians in the Middle Ages
Historians of England in the Middle Ages helped to lay the groundwork for modern historical historiography, providing vital accounts of the early history of England, Wales and Normandy, its cultures, and revelations about the historians themselves....
contemporary to Edward II
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
. It covers the period from 1307 until its abrupt end in 1326.
The earliest surviving version of the Vita is a copy made by Thomas Hearne
Thomas Hearne
Thomas Hearne or Hearn , English antiquary, was born at Littlefield Green in the parish of White Waltham, Berkshire.-Life:...
in 1729 from a manuscript lent to him by James West. The original is thought to have been burnt some years later along with many of West’s other papers.
The manuscript is known to have come from the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
Abbey of Malmesbury
Malmesbury Abbey
Malmesbury Abbey, at Malmesbury in Wiltshire, England, was founded as a Benedictine monastery around 676 by the scholar-poet Aldhelm, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. In 941 AD, King Athelstan was buried in the Abbey. By the 11th century it contained the second largest library in Europe and was...
, but it is not known if the work was written there.
The author is unknown, but aspects of his character can be inferred from his work.
He was a highly educated person, shown in his use of biblical quotations and knowledgeable references to the Civil Law
Civil law (legal system)
Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different...
of the time. He was likely to have been of advanced age, due to both his apparent death in 1326 and his despair at “the young men of today.”
A popular candidate for the authorship of the Vita is a lawyer from Herefordshire and clerk to the Earl of Hereford
Earl of Hereford
The title of Earl of Hereford was created six times in the Peerage of England. See also Duke of Hereford, Viscount Hereford. Dates indicate the years the person held the title for.-Earls of Hereford, First Creation :*Swegen Godwinson...
: John Walwayn.
The most recent theory about the date in which it was written was put forward by Professor C.J. Given-Wilson. He thought the Vita was written at intervals throughout Edward’s reign, this is supported by the seeming lack of future knowledge shown by the author at different stages of his work.