The Chronicles of Peterborough Abbey Volume 2: Robert of Swaffham and Walter of Whittlesey

The abbey of Peterborough was an important centre of historical writing in the central middle ages. The text edited here may be termed the ‘house chronicle’, and deals with the lives of the abbots, the abbey’s internal affairs and its external relations. It is known under the names of three of the monks of the house, Hugh Candidus, Robert of Swaffham, and Walter of Whittlesey. It will be published in two volumes, with full introductions, a Latin text and a facing-page English translation. Volume 2 contains the text of Robert of Swaffham and Walter of Whittlesey. The present volume records the deeds of fourteen abbots, from Benedict (1177-93), the biographer of Thomas Becket, whose martyrdom he had witnessed, to Adam of Boothby (1321-38). It contains a detailed account of the impact on the monastery of the ‘barons’ wars’ against Henry III, of 1265-72; records of its dealings with the masterful Edward I and the irresponsible Edward II; and a very full account of the work of Godfrey of Crowland (1299-1321), including a carefully itemised list of his magnificent collection of vestments.