Byrhtferth’s Northumbrian Chronicle: An Edition and Translation of the Old English and Latin Annals: The Early Chronicles of England Volume II

“Over the past two decades there have been radical developments in our knowledge of the pre-Conquest chronicles of England. Reliable textual editions have now been published of nearly all the major chronicles, national and regional, in both Latin and in Old English. At the same time, great strides have been made in analyzing the origin, content, and transmission of these texts ... Few scholars have the knowledge and experience to envisage such a daunting undertaking, and of these, fewer still are in a position to make the attempt. Dr. Hart, who has been examining the full range of this material closely and independently over a period of half a century, now plans to embark upon this enterprise ... This pioneering study makes no claim to be definitive, but will surely provide a firm basis upon which further progress can be made to our understanding of the history of England in the early medieval period.” – (from the Preface) Alfred P. Smyth, Professor Emeritus, University of Kent at Canterbury

“For the past fifty years, Dr. Hart has made major contributions to our understanding of many different aspects of Anglo-Saxon history and literary culture. His work has long been characterized by a refreshing determination to challenge the assumptions upon which existing orthodoxy depends, and to set up alternative views based on his own first-hand examination of the evidence ... This is essential reading for all those interested in one of the most fascinating periods of early English history.” – Professor Simon Keynes, University of Cambridge

Preface to the Series
Preface to Volume II
Introduction
Acknowledgements
List of Facsimiles
List of Maps
List of Appendices
List of Abbreviations

Part I – Genesis and Attribution
1. Anglo-Normal Writing at Durham
2. The Northumbrian Chronicle – a Work within a Work
3. The Style of the Northumbrian Chronicle
4. The Content of the Northumbrian Chronicle
5. Patronage and Purpose
6. Texts – The Historia Regum and the Historia Post Bedam

Sources and their Management
7. The Kentish Royal Legend
8. The Northumbrian Kings
9. Works Attributed to Bede
10. The Northumbrian Annals
11. Excerpts from a Life of Alfred the Great

Part II – Edition and Translation
Section I The Kentish Royal Legend
Section II The Northumbrian Kings
Section III Works Attributed to Bede
Item 1 The Historia Abbatum
Item 2 The Poem on Times and Seasons
Item 3 The Verses De Dei Iudii
Item 4 Excerpts from the Historia Ecclesiastica
Section IV The Northumbrian Annals 732 – 802
Section V The Alfredian Annals 849 – 887

Biographical Notes
Bibliography
Index of Persons
Index of Places