William of Malmesbury

by Rodney M Thomson

Overview

William was a historian, biblical commentator, biographer and classicist; his intellectual achievement is studied here.

William of Malmesbury (c.1090-c.1143) was England's greatest historian after Bede. Although best known in his own time, as now, for his historical writings (his famous Deeds of the Bishops and Deeds of the Kings of Britain), William was also a biblical commentator, hagiographer and classicist, and acted as his own librarian, bibliographer, scribe and editor of texts. He was probably the best-read of all twelfth-century men of learning.
This is a comprehensive study and interpretation of William's intellectual achievement, looking at the man and his times and his work as man of letters, and considering the earliest books from Malmesbury Abbey library, William'sreading, and his "scriptorium". Important in its own right, William's achievement is also set in the wider context of Benedictine learning and the writing of history in the twelfth century, and on England's contribution to the "twelfth-century renaissance".
In this new edition, the text has been thoroughly revised, and the bibliography updated to reflect new research; there is also a new chapter on William as historian of the First Crusade.

RODNEY M. THOMSON is Professor Emeritus and Honorary Research Associate in the School of History and Classics, University of Tasmania.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781843830306
Publisher:	BOYDELL & BREWER INC
Publication date:	11/15/2003
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	265
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x (d)

About the Author

RODNEY M. THOMSON is Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at the University of Tasmania.

Editorial Reviews

Give[s] a vividly detailed understanding of William of Malmesbury's interests, work habits, and outlook.

SPECULUM

[An] impressive volume.

ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW

Give[s] a vividly detailed understanding of William of Malmesbury's interests, work habits, and outlook. SPECULUM
[An] impressive volume. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW

From the Publisher