Introduction to the Study of English History (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881 Excerpt: ... a much later period, is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle? which brings us down to the year 1154. The commencement of this great national work has been ascribed to king Alfred, but Dr. Guest is of opinion that'though it was probably reduced to its present shape in the ninth century, yet many of its entries must have been written long before the age of Bede.' If we adopt this view, a portion of the work becomes contemporary evidence for the period of which we are now treating. It has been conjectured that the Chrotticle was an annual compilation, made at one or more of the chief monasteries in the kingdom, from materials furnished by other monasteries throughout the realm. 'No other nation, ' says Mr. Thorpe in the Pre 1 Generally cited by Mr. Freeman under the title of the 'English Chronicles, ' owing to his repudiation, on very good grounds, of the term 'Anglo-Saxon ' in the place of 'English.' As, however, the edition by Mr. Thorpe still retains the traditional designation, while that by Mr. Earle is designated as the 'Saxon Chronicles, ' it has been thought better not to deviate here from established usage. Chap. face to his edition,1 can produce any history, written in--'--its own vernacular, at all approaching the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, either in antiquity, truthfulness, or extent, the historical books of the Bible alone excepted.' Mr. Freeman's observations on the work Norman Conquest, i. 9) should be carefully noted. In addition to its value as a source of historical information, the Chronicle may also be regarded as a unique monument of the Anglo-Saxon language, inasmuch as it exhibits the modifications through which the language passed up to the period when its forms developed into what is known as Early English. Editions of Of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ther...