Symeon of Durham

Symeon of Durham (Latin Simeon Dunelmensis, * 1060, † 1130) was an English chronicler.

Until 1083 Symeon lived in the monastery of Jarrow, after the community moved to Durham, where he found his calling. He was the author of two historical works, which for historical research on the North of England are of great importance especially. On the one hand, he wrote 1104-1108 the Historia ecclesiae Dunelmensis which extends to 1096. The original manuscript is still preserved in the library of Bishop John Cosin at Durham. It is divided into four books, which are in turn subdivided into chapters. The complete work is structured chronologically. There are two sequels to, both of which were written anonymously. The first runs from 1096 until the death of Ranulf Flambard ( 1129 ). The second covers the period 1133-1144. In a manuscript from Cambridge, there is yet another sequel, the 1145 bis 1154.

To 1129 Symeon began with the resignation of the Historia regum Anglorum et Dacorum. It begins where the Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum ( Ecclesiastical History of the English people ) of the Venerable Bede ends. Up to 957 Symeon copied some old Annals of Durham, whose originals are now lost - they are also for the history of England North of importance. From here to 1119 he copied, with some adaptations, John of Worcester. The part of the years 1119 to 1129 covering is more representative of an ongoing narrative of current events. Other writings were attributed to Symeon again, this assignment is questionable. These writings were, together with the above-mentioned works, as Scriptores decem printed by Roger Twysden ( 1652). The most complete modern edition is that of Thomas Arnold.

The value of the serving of the Historia regum Northumbrian Annals was drawn by John Hodgon - Hinde in the preface to his Symeonis Dunelmensis opera (Vol. XIV IS ff (1868 ) ) in doubt ( as Reinhold Pauli in research on German history, XII. pp. 137ff. (Göttingen, 1872) ).