Reimagining History in Anglo-Norman Prose Chronicles

The medieval Anglo-Norman prose chronicles are fascinating hybrids of history, legends and romance, building on the rich tradition of historical writing circulating in England at the time of their composition, such as Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Their prime subject is the history of England, but they also shed much light on other networks of influence, such as those between families and religious houses. This book studies the essential characteristics of the genre for the first time, situating Anglo-Norman prose chronicles within the multilingual cultures of late medieval England. It considers the chronicles' treatment of the "legendary history of Britain", legends about English heroes, accounts of the Norman Conquest, and histories of noble families. In particular, it explores how Anglo-Norman prose chronicles rewrite the past with rhetorical flourish, in order to advance the contemporary political and personal agendas of their authors and patrons. John Spence gained his PhD from the University of Cambridge.