Ralph de Diceto
Radulfus de Diceto ( born probably 1120-1130, † November 22, 1199 / 1200 or 1202), also known as Raoul de Diceto or Ralph de Diceto, was Archdeacon of Middlesex and since 1180 dean of St. Paul's Cathedral and author of two chronicles, namely the Abbreviationes Chronicorum and Ymagines Historiarum.
Radulfus de Diceto was first mentioned in 1152. However, neither his parents nor his nationality are known. Because his name is sometimes believed he was from Diss in Norfolk, but his name may also be derived from places of Burgundy or Champagne. Already in 1152 he is referred to as master - he had studied in Paris, where he had Arnulf of Lisieux met. Another conveyor Radulfs was Gilbert Foliot of Hereford, thus entertained Radulfus relations with two of the greatest bishops of this time in the Angevin power range.
Ralph Turner referred Radulfus referred because of his access to court and official documents as a semi-official historian of the British Royal Family. Among the persons with whom he had a narrower approach, included Richard FitzNeal , Chairman of the Exchequer and from 1189 Bishop of London, William Longchamp, the chancellor Richard I., and Walter of Coutances, archbishop of Rouen. However Radulfus was not a propagandist of the royal family, but one of the authors who wrote largely judgmental about Eleanor of Aquitaine.
His two most important works, the Abbreviationes Chronicorum and Ymagines Historiarum include the history of the world from the birth of Christ until the year 1202. Abbreviationes The Chronicorum, Archbishop Johann dedicated Lyon, ends with the year 1147 and are based solely on other ancient and medieval sources. The continuation Ymagines Historiarum, begun during the drafting of the Abbreviationes summarizes writings of Robert of Torigni as well as letters of Foliot together. Events from 1172 Radulfus described on the basis of his own knowledge.
Works
- Ymagines Historiarum, ed. by William Stubbs: The Historical Works of Ralph of Diss, in Rolls Series 68.1 (London, 1876)