• Genealogical chronicle roll of the kings of England from Alfred the Great (r. 871-899) to Richard II (r. 1377-1399).

Curatorial Notes:

• The genealogical chronicle roll of kings was a common genre of historical literature in late medieval England. Although deluxe versions were made as gifts to patrons, smaller, portable rolls also served a practical function. This late 14th-century example may have been used as a reference tool by monks with archival and legal responsibilities. 102 roundels include the names of 27 English kings, each surmounted by a crown. For early modern collectors like Ashmole, such documents offered insight into England’s medieval past.

Credit Line:

• Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Format:

• Manuscript
• Book

Language:

• Latin

Text language:

• Latin;

Publisher:

• [England], [approximately 1377]

Date:

• 1377

Extent:

• 1 roll : parchment ; 1400 x 138 mm.

Abstract:

• Genealogical chronicle roll of the kings of England from Alfred the Great (r. 871-899) to Richard II (r. 1377-1399).

View in catalog:

• https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/99115511433506421

Subject:

• Great Britain—Kings and rulers—Genealogy—Early works to 1800
• Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern)—England
• Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern)—New Jersey—Princeton
• Parchment (Paper)
• illuminated manuscripts

Bookseller:

• Enluminures (Firm)
• Christie, Manson & Woods

Contributor:

• Princeton University. Library. Manuscript. Princeton MS. 211

Description:

• Ms. roll.
• Title from verso, 18th century.
• Incipit: “Iste Alfredus rex fuit Westsexie omnium antecessorum eminentissimus et prothomonarcha totius Anglie coronatus primitus a Leone pape et iunctus anno gratie 871. Hic genuit Edwardum et quinque filias, quarum una fuit imperatrix, secunda regina francorum, tertia regina scotorum, due sanctimoniales. Et regnauit annis 28 …"
• Ending: "… Ricardus secundus post conquestum. Iste Ricardus coronatus anno etatis sue undecimo et gratie 1377. 17 kal’. Augusti.”
• Collation: Parchment ; three membranes sewn end-to-end.
• Description: Written by one scribe, who also made one substantial correction.
• Decoration: The roll has 102 roundels (2 blank), among which 27 have the names of kings and are surmounted by crowns and connected by lines in brown ink.
• Origin: Probably created in East Anglia shortly after 1377.

Binding note:

• The end of the roll is attached to a wooden dowel (modern) by means of a slip of newer parchment.

References:

• Medieval & Renaissance manuscripts in the Princeton University Library, volume 2, page 499.

Provenance:

• Unknown early and intermediate provenance. The roll appears to have been in the antiquarian bookmarket since the early 1970s. On 4 June 2008 the roll was sold at Christie's, London to Sandra Hindman of Les Enluminures. She sold it to the Princeton University Library in 2009 (Acc. no. 2009-80).

Identifier:

• ark:/88435/dc028716076

Available online:

• arks.princeton.edu