Title - Eulogium Historiarum, etc.
Location - Trinity College Cambridge
Subject-
The Eulogium Historiarum is a universal chronicle from the Creation to 1366 in Latin prose, drawn from various sources, some listed in a poem; probably written by a monk (to whom different names have been attached, although internal evidence suggests Thomas) at Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire. Five books cover biblical and secular history, with some geography and a monastic chronology. Provenance- Probably from Malmesbury: events connected with that house receive special prominence throughout. Mr F. S. Haydon in his edition of the text in the Rolls Series advocates the view that this is the author's autograph, on what seem to be good grounds. Given to Trinity by George Willmer (d. 1626).
Description- 30 lines to a page. In a curious, ugly, but plain hand.
- 24cm x 16.5 cm
- Vellum
- Written in Latin
Age Confined as I am to the cloister, I feel tired all the time, my senses are dulled, my attempts to be virtuous are frustrated, and I often fall prey to the worst kinds of thoughts. My feelings result from the length of our church services and the heavy burdens of our prayers, and because of my memories of the vain boasting and wicked deeds that I was once responsible for in the world, as well as the pleasure I took in my sins, and the abundance of my sins. Reflecting, therefore, how I might snuff out the temptations and fiery barbs of the Devil, who strives to inflict so many injuries upon the conscience of a monk, I decided in response to the requests of my superiors to compile as best I could a treatise gleaned from the works of various authors for the benefit of future generations. For on many occasions I had been asked by the prior of our monastery to undertake something in the manner of a chronicle dealing with the deeds of the ancients, nearby and faraway lands, miracles, wars, and the ancient deeds of Christians and pagans. My superiors thought this work would help me to abandon all the thoroughly unprofitable activities of my spare time without further thought.
Ownership/Copyright Reference Information- Shelfmark R.7.2
- James Number 740
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