William of Malmesbury

William of Malmesbury (c. 1080/1095 in Wiltshire; † around 1143 ) was an English historian, son of a Norman and an English woman and a monk at Malmesbury Abbey.

Biography

William's education, which he enjoyed in Malmesbury Abbey, also included superficial logic and physics, but first and foremost he was devoted to moral philosophy, and above all of history. He put together a collection of medieval tales, and wrote a popular account of British history, the Historia ecclesiastica was based on the gentis Anglorum ( Ecclesiastical History of the English people ) of Beda.

As a sequel, he wrote the Gesta regum Anglorum around 1120, the deeds of the English Kings ( 449-1127 ), now English historiography applies to modern scholars as one of the great works. The work also contains a description of an early flight test of his monk brother Eilmer of Malmesbury, who is regarded as historic.

It was followed in 1125 the Gesta Pontificum Anglorum (Acts of the English bishops ). Then Wilhelm wrote on theological subjects. Gesta regum Anglorum A revision of from the year 1127 he dedicated to the Earl Robert of Gloucester.

Wilhelm joined acquaintance with the Bishop Roger of Salisbury, who had a castle in Malmesbury, due to which he got in 1140, perhaps the Abbey Malmesbury offered; Wilhelm refused, preferring to remain a scholar. He had his only public appearance in 1141 at the Council of Winchester, where the clergy stood on the side of the Empress Matilda. At this time he wrote the Historia Novella ( Modern History ( 1128-1142 ) ), in which he recounts the events since 1125, including the anarchy of King Stephen. This work closes abruptly with the end of the year 1142 and the unredeemed promise of a sequel - probably died William, before he could resume work.

Importance

William of Malmesbury is regarded as one of the best English historian of his time. John Milton expressed the opinion that he was both the style and the judgment after ( "both for style and judgment" ) is by far the best writer of all ( "by far the best writer of all" ) chronicler of the 12th century. A strong Latin stylist with literary historiography and instinct and - for its time - a remarkable sound. He is an authority of considerable value for the period after 1066; many anecdotes and astute judgments about people and events can be found in his works.

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