Richard Howlett – författare

This two-volume work forms part of a series of scholarly editions, commissioned by the Master of the Rolls, of unpublished chronicles and other original documents relating to Early English history. The documents are reprinted in Latin or Middle English, and are summarised by the editors, whose invaluable prefaces places them in historical context and describe the location and condition of the original manuscripts. Volume 1 (1858) contains documents relating to the earliest establishment of the Franciscan Order. The treatise De adventu of Thomas of Eccleston (fl. c.1231-58), is the only eyewitness source of the settlement and progress of the friars in England; and the letters of the renowned Franciscan scholar, Adam de Marisco (or Marsh, c.1200-59), are important examples of early Franciscan organisation. The volume closes with the register of the establishment of the Minorites in London, and an appendix of other original documents.

This two-volume work forms part of a series of scholarly editions of chronicles and other original documents relating to British history from the Roman invasion to the reign of Henry VIII, commissioned by the Master of the Rolls in the mid-nineteenth century. The documents are reprinted in Latin or Middle English, with summaries of their content. Each volume contains a thorough and invaluable preface, placing the documents in historical context and describing the location and condition of the original manuscripts. Volume 2, edited by Richard Howlett and published in 1882, is concerned with the 'decadence and fall of the Franciscans'. The documents relate to the emerging conflict of English Minorites with other monastic orders, such as the Benedictines of Westminster in 1290; divisions within the Order itself; and the impact of the religious persecutions of the Reformation. The book also includes an appendix of related original documents.

The first volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841-1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains the first four books of the Historia rerum Anglicarum by William of Newburgh (c.1136-c.1198). Newburgh's extensive history, in five books, chronicles events from 1066 up to 1198 and is a valuable source of information on twelfth-century England, especially the so-called period of 'The Anarchy' during King Stephen's reign. The first book begins with William the Conqueror's victory at Hastings, and the fourth book concludes with the return from captivity of Richard I in 1194. Along the way, Newburgh enlivens his history with tales of supernatural prodigies. In his lengthy editorial introduction, Howlett remarks that Newburgh's chronicle forms a commentary on the various works presented in the other three volumes of this set, as they all fall within the chronological scope of Newburgh's work. English side-notes to the Latin text are provided throughout.

The second volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841-1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains the fifth and final book of the Historia rerum Anglicarum by William of Newburgh (c.1136-c.1198). This book deals with the events of the years 1194-8. The work is continued in a supplement up to the year 1298, compiled by a monk of Furness Abbey. Also included is the Draco Normannicus ('The Norman Standard') of Etienne de Rouen, a monk from Bec Abbey in Normandy. Much of this poem is simply the versification of other sources, but it does possess some historical value, and notably presents King Arthur as a Breton rather than a British ruler. A glossary and index to the first two volumes is included, along with helpful English side-notes to the Latin text.

The third volume of this four-volume set of Latin chronicles, edited by Richard Howlett (1841-1917) and published between 1884 and 1889, contains five separate works. The Gesta Stephani regis Anglorum ('Deeds of King Stephen') is a primary source for Stephen's reign and especially his wars with his cousin Maude. This is supplemented by the shorter De gestis regis Stephani by Richard, prior of Hexham, covering the years 1135-9. The treatise Relatio de standardo by St Aelred, abbot of Rievaulx, is a partisan account of the Battle of the Standard in 1138. Jordan Fantosme's long poem (in French, with an English translation) describes the rebellion against Henry II of 1173-4. Finally, Richard of Devizes chronicles the deeds of Richard I in De rebus gestis Ricardi Primi, which is 'one of the most amusing products of the middle ages' according to Howlett, whose introduction provides historical background and manuscript details. English side-notes to the Latin texts are provided throughout.