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Internet Medieval Sourcebook

Selected Sources: England

Contents

• Arthuriana
• Anglo-Saxon Britain
  • General
  • The Saxon Invasions
  • The Age of Bede
  • The Age of Alfred
  • Law and Government
  • Later Anglo-Saxon England
  • Ango-Saxon Literature
• Norman England
  • The Conquest 1066
  • William I: Administration & the Domesday Book
  • William II
  • Henry I and the Norman Regnum
• Angevin England
  • Henry II
    • The Man and His Family
    • Thomas Becket
    • Wars
    • Administration and The Origins of Common Law
  • Richard I Lionheart
  • England under Angevin Rule
• Parliamentary Origins in England
  • Common Law: A Law of Real Property
  • The Barons Revolt and Magna Carta
  • The Struggle of Henry III and His Barons
  • Parliament Coalesces
• Later Medieval England
  • Government
  • Henry III
  • Edward I
  • Legal Texts
    • Select Pleas
  • Yorkists and Lancastrians
  • The Tudor Victory

• WEB For Arthurian texts, not collected here, see the Camelot Project and especially the Camelot Project Author Menu for beautifully presented, introduced, and annotated texts of:
  • The Alliterative Morte Arthure
  • Annales Cambriae (Annals of Wales), Arthurian References in (c. 960-980)
  • The Avowyng of Arthur
  • The Awntyrs off Arthur
  • The Carle of Carlisle
  • Culwch and Olwen (translated by Lady Charlotte Guest as Kilhwch and Olwen)
  • The Greene Knight
  • The Jeaste of Sir Gawain
  • King Arthur and King Cornwall
  • The Knightly Tale of Gologras and Gawain
  • Lancelot of the Laik
  • The Marriage of Sir Gawain
  • Sir Gawain and the Carle of Carlisle
  • Sir Perceval of Galles
  • Sir Tristrem
  • Stanzaic Morte Arthur
  • The Turke and Sir Gawain
  • The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
  • A selection of post medieval-Arthurian literature [Tennyson, Emerson, Swinbourne and so on.]

• General
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Translation: J. Ingram, [At OMACL, text 17].
• The Saxon Invasions
  • Gildas (c.504-570): The Ruin of Britain, c. 540.
  • Gildas (c.504-570): Works, full text
  • Caradoc of Llancarfan: The Life of Gildas,1130-1150.
  • Nennius: History of the Britons, 8th cent, on King Arthur.
  • Nennius: Historia Brittonum, 8th century, full text
  • Gerald of Wales: The Discovery of the Tomb of King Arthur, from On the Instruction of a Prince (De Instructione Principis), c. 1223
  • The Annales Cambriae (The Annals of Wales) 447-954 [At this Site]
• The Age of Bede
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book I
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book II
  • Bede (673-735): Ecclesiastical History of England: Book IV
  • Bede (673-735): The Explanation of the Apocalypse
  • Willibald: The Life of St. Boniface
  • The Correspondence of St. Boniface
• Northumbria
• Mercia
• The anonymous tract known as Be Mirciscan Aðe (‘Concerning the Mercian Oath’) 1002-23. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  
• The anonymous tract known as Be Mircna Laga (‘Concerning Laws of the Mercians’). 9th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• The Ninth Century
• Æthelwulf, King of Wessex: Grant of a Tenth of Public Land, 854
• The Viking Invasions and After
• Abbo of Fleury: The Martyrdom of St. Edmund, King of East Anglia, 870, trans. Kenneth Cultler
• The Age of Alfred
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle on Alfred the Great. See also Catholic Encyclopedia: Alfred the Great
  • Asser: Life of King Alfred. The full text translation: J.A. Giles is available. [At OMACL]
  • Alfred and Guthrum's Peace.
  • William of Malmesbury, d. 1143?: Chronicle of the  Kings of England: The Anglo-Saxon Kings [At this Site]
• The 10th Century
• Edgar, King of the English: Grant of Exemption from Taxation to Glastonbury, 965
• The 11th Century: Later Anglo-Saxon England
  • Edgar, King of the English: Grant of Exemption from Taxation to Glastonbury, 965
  • Canute the Great: Granting of Fiefs, 1028
  • Canute, King of the English: Inheritance in Case of Intestacy, c. 1016-1035
  • Canute, King of the English: On Heriots and Reliefs, c. 1016-1035
  • The Chronicle of Ethelwerd.
  • St. Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester: Sermo Lupi ad Anglos, c. 1014, full text, in Latin and English. [Requires Frames], [At Rochester].
    The sermon of the Wolf to the English, when the Danes were greatly persecuting them, which was in the year 1014 after the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • King Edmund (939-946): First Code 10th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • King Æthelred (978-1016: Æthelred’s Woodstock Code, also known as I Æthelred. 997. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Church and Society
• King Æthelberht (c.590-616): Grants land in Rochester to the church of St Andrew. Fraudulent document claiming to be from 604 but invented c. 1066. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Æthelred II (c. 966 – 23 April 1016, known as the Unready, was King of the English from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 until his death): Restores to the see of Rochester at the request of Bishop Godwine six sulungs at Wouldham and one mansa at Littlebrook. 995 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• The dispute between Bishop Godwine and Leofwine over the estate of Snodland. 995-1005 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Æthelred II (c. 966 – 23 April 1016, known as the Unready, was King of the English from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 until his death):: Restores to the see of Rochester six sulungs at Bromley and the use of forest in the Weald. 998 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Æthelred II (c. 966 – 23 April 1016, known as the Unready, was King of the English from 978 to 1013 and again from 1014 until his death): Grants to Bishop Godwine of Rochester fifteen hides at Fen Stanton and Hilton, Hunts. A.D. 1012. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• History of the estates of Bromley and Fawkham, Kent, in the time of King Eadgar and immediately afterwards (Edgar ruled 959-975) 980-987. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Law and Government
  • WEB Early English Laws
    Early English Laws is a project to publish online and in print new editions and translations of all English legal codes, edicts, and treatises produced up to the time of Magna Carta 1215.
  • Laws of Ethelbert, Alfred: Dooms, both copyrighted, but see next item
  • Laws of Alfred and Ine [In Anglo Saxon] [At Labryinth]
  • Anglo Saxon Dooms, 560-975, In English. These include:
    • The Laws of Æthelberht, King of Kent 560-616 A.D.
    • The Laws of Kings Hlothhære and Eadric 673-686 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Wihtræd 690-725 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Alfred 871-901 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Edward the Elder, 901-924 A.D.
    • The Laws of Alfred, Guthrum, and Edward the Elder
    • The North People's Law
    • Mercian Law
    • The Laws of King Athelstan 924-939 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Edmund I 939-946 A.D.
    • The Laws of King Edgar 959-975 A.D.
  • The anonymous law known as Ordal (‘Ordeal’) 11-12th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • The anonymous fragment of law known as Walreaf (‘Corpse Robbery’). c. 10th Century? [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • The anonymous fragment of law known as Pax (‘Peace’) c. 10th Century? [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • Hu se man sceal swerie (‘How the person must swear an oath’) c. 10th Century? [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • The anonymous tract known as Be Mirciscan Aðe (‘Concerning the Mercian Oath’) 1002-23. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
    
  • The anonymous tract known as Be Mircna Laga (‘Concerning Laws of the Mercians’). 9th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • King Edmund (939-946): First Code 10th Century. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
  • King Æthelred (978-1016: Æthelred’s Woodstock Code, also known as I Æthelred. 997. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Anglo-Saxon Literature
  • Beowulf, 8th century, trans Francis Gummere [HTML, here]
  • Beowulf, c. 1100 [At Lone Star]
    Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic in English literature - and it survives in only one manuscript. This copy survived both the wholesale destruction of religious artifacts during the
    dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and a disastrous fire which destroyed the library of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (1571-1631). The poem still bears the scars of the fire, visible at the upper left corner of the manuscript. This is a modern verse trasnlation by  David
    Breeden.
  • Anglo-Saxon Charms, trans. Karen Jolly [At Univ. Hawaii].

• William of Newburgh: History, full text
• The Conquest, 1066
  • William of Malmesbury: The Battle of Hastings, 1066, excerpts.
  • Laws of William the Conqueror, and in text form. See also Catholic Encyclopedia: William the Conqueror.
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: Assessment of William I.
• William I: Administration and the Domesday Book
  • The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: The Domesday Book, 1086.
  • The Domesday Book: Instructions and Example, (1086). See also Catholic Encyclopedia: Domesday Book.
  • William I (r.1066-1087): Articles of William I 1066-1087. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral] See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124)
• William II Rufus
  • Peter of Blois: William Rufus and Henry I [1070-1117?].
• Henry I and the Norman Regnum
  • Orderic Vitalis: Ecclesiastical History [1075-1141], excerpts on Henry I.
  • The "Laws of Henry I": The Murder Fine
  • Henry I: Charter of Liberties, 1100.
  • Henry I, King of England: Grant of Tax Liberties to London, 1133
  • Robert Palmer: Law and Courts Before Common Law [At Univ. Houston]
    Texts, plus discussion, with case examples.
• Church and Society under the Normans
• William II (r. 1087-1100): Grants the manor of Haddenham to Bishop Gundulf for which, in return, Gundulf builds Rochester Castle. Ascribed to William II but editor thinks it was written c1108-1123. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• The dispute between bishop Gundulf and Pichot, sheriff of Cambridge. After 1087. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Agreement between Bishop Gundulf and Haimo son of Vitalis concerning privileges relating to the church at Stourmouth. 1093-1108 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Hugh, in agreement with his wife Emma and his sons, grants land at Southgate to St Andrew’s, Rochester. 1114-23 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Goldwin ‘the Greek’: Grants of land to St Andrew’s, Rochester, for the expansion of the cemetery. 1115-23 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Note on the bishop’s provisions from the church at Northfleet. after 1093-c1200 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Note concerning Geoffrey of Delce’s grant of land near Prestefield in order for his son to become a monk at St Andrew’s Priory. 1123-1200 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Bishop Gundulf: Arrangements for the clothing of the monks. c.1089–c.11081 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Bishop Ernulf: Grants privileges and lands to the church of St Andrew at Rochester. c.1114-c.1123 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Bishop Ernulf: Grants funds for the building and maintenance of St Andrew’s Priory. 1114-1124 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Bishop Ernulf: Sets up alms-giving in honour of Gundulf. 1114-1124 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Election of Avice as the first abbess of Malling. 7th March 1108 See Wikipedia: Malling Abbey [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• An Agreement made by the monks of Rochester with the wife of Robert Latimer. c.1100-c.1123[Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• William I (1066-1087): Gift of one hundred pounds, shortly before his death, to the church of St Andrew, Rochester 1087. [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Bishop Gundulf: Bishop Gundulf affirms his release to William II of land at Borstal in exchange for three acres of land which were originally granted by bishop Odo to St Andrew’s Priory as garden for the monks. c.1088-c.1094 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Bishop Gundulf: Bishop Gundulf confirms a grant by Gilbert the priest of three hides at Haddenham in exchange for Gilbert entering the monastic life. After 1086 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• The account of Gilbert entering the monastic life. c.1091-c.1100 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Stephen
  • Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: on Stephen, copyrighted?
  • Henry of Huntingdon: Chronicle [c.1080-1160] - on King Stephen's reign.

• Henry II
• The Man and His Family
  • Peter of Blois: Letter 154, to Queen Eleanor, 1173, trans. M. Markowski [M-Markow@wcslc.edu].
  • Peter of Blois: Description of Henry II [Letter no. 66: to Walter, archbishop of Palermo, 1177)] 
  • Roger of Hoveden: The Revolt of 1173-74, from The Chronicle
  • Roger of Hoveden: The Revolt and Death of the Young King, 1183, from The Chronicle
  • Gerald of Wales: On Henry II and his sons, from The Topography of Ireland, Chapters 49-50
  • Gerald of Wales: Death of King Henry II and comments on the Angevin Family, from De Instructione Principis (On the Instruction of a Prince) 
  • Roger of Hoveden: The Last Days and Death of Henry II, 1189, from The Chronicle
  • The Chronicle of "Benedict of Peterborough": The Death of King Henry II, 1189 
  • Gerald of Wales (1146-1225): The Death of King Henry II, from the Life of Archbishop Geoffrey of York
• Thomas Becket
  • WEB Thomas Becket Page
    Scott McLetchie's web site with collected texts associated with Becket, and a visual tour of Canterbury cathedral.
  • Roger of Hoveden: The Chronicle: On the Disputes between Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and King Henry II of England, early 13th c.
    All the material from this chronicle relevant to the Becket matter; Roger quotes many letters written by those closely involved in the dispute, including Thomas himself.
  • William of Newburgh: on Henry II, copyrighted? See next item
  • William of Newburgh: Becket and Henry, selections from Book II of his History, c. 1200
    Three chapters concerning Becket's career, the murder, and Henry II's penance at the tomb in 1174.
  • Gervase of Canterbury, d. 1205: Thomas Becket's Life, from History of the Archbishops of Canterbury
    A precis of Thomas' career taken from Gervase's History of the Archbishops of Canterbury
  • Gervase of Canterbury, d. 1205: Thomas Becket's Death
    Description of the martyrdom from the same work.
  • Edward Grim: The Murder of Becket, Dec. 29, 1170 from Vita S. Thomae, Cantuariensis Archepiscopi et Martyris trans. Dawn Marie Hayes [dms0603@is2.nyu.edu]. See also Catholic Encyclopedia: Thomas Becket.
  • The Chronicle of "Benedict of Peterborough": The Murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, 29 December 1170
• Church and Society under the Angevins
• Imar of Tusculum (d.1161): Judgment in favour of the monks of St Andrew’s Priory, Rochester. 1144-1145. Cardinal-bishop from 1142, and served as papal legate to England during the pontificate of Lucius II, 1144–45 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Pope Eugene III (r. 1145-1153): Bull of Pope Eugene. 1146 [Manuscript, transcription, translation and introduction by Christopher Monk from the Textus Roffensis, online at Rochester Cathedral]. See also Wikipedia: Textus Roffensis (1122-1124).
• Wars
  • Gerald of Wales (1146-1225): The Conquest of Ireland, Book I, Chapter 46: Description of Henry II, king of the English.
• Administration and The Origins of Common Law
  • England: The Collection of Scutage, 1159-1195
  • Henry II: The Constitutions of Clarendon, 1164.
  • Henry II: The Assize of Clarendon, 1166.
  • Henry II: Inquest of Sheriffs, 1170.
  • The Huntingdonshire Eyre, 1286, copyrighted
• Richard I Lionheart
  • Roger of Hoveden: Order of Coronation of Richard I, 1189.
  • Richard I of England: Charter by Which Many Liberties are Granted and Confirmed to the Jews, 22 March, 1190
  • English Jewry is Organised: The Ordinances of the Jews, 1194
  • King John of England and the Jews: Charters, c.1201
• England under Angevin Rule
  • The Charter of St. Patrick, 13th century [At Britannia]
    A fake document, attributed to St. Patrick but actually concocted by the monks of Glastonbury Abbey to prove their primacy over the neighboring See of Bath and Wells.
  • Chronicle of the Abbey of St. Edmunds (1173-1202), (c.1156-d.1202(?)).
  • The Abbey of St. Edmund’s and the Jews, 1173-1182
  • Gerald of Wales (1146-1225): The Discovery of the Tomb of King Arthur, from On the Instruction of a Prince (De Instructione Principis), c. 1223
  • Susan Carroll-rk [Mistress Nicolaa de Bracton]: A Statistical Survey of Given Names in Essex Co., England, 1182-1272 [At Geocities]
    A well-research article by an SCA member.

• Common Law: A Law of Real Property
  • See the Medieval Sourcebook: Medieval Legal History page
  • WEB Early English Laws
    Early English Laws is a project to publish online and in print new editions and translations of all English legal codes, edicts, and treatises produced up to the time of Magna Carta 1215.
  • F. W. Maitland: The Forms of Action at Common Law, 1909
  • Robert Palmer: Origins of Common Law. [At Houston]
    This informative discussion contains, embedded, the following documents:
    • The Treaty of Winchester: Between Stephen and Henry [II], (1153)
    • The Writ of Right (from Glanvill, 12.3)
    • The Assize of Northampton, cc. 4-5 (1176)
    • The Assize of Novel Disseisin [the earliest example of the writ of NOVEL DISSEISIN we have; it comes from Glanvill, 13.33 (circa 1188)]
  • Select English Writs
    Texts in Latin and English of the most important early writs.
  • Robert Palmer: The Law in 1188: Glanvill. [At Houston]
    Contains substantial excerpts from the law book known as Glanvill
  • Robert Palmer: Rules of Law. [At Houston]
    Page down this page for text of rules of law such as Utrum and Darein presentment.
  • Assizes: Novel Disseisin and Utrum, copyrighted
    See above.
  • Dialogue of the Exchequer, 1180s. [Full text of Book First, titles of Book Second]
  • The Pipe Roll of the Bishopric of Winchester, 1208-1209
    Pipe roll records are among the most detail of all medieval sources, and show both the development of the English administrative system, as well as types and scale of economic activity.
  • Bracton: De Legibus Et Consuetudinibus Angliæ (On the Laws and Customs of England), in English and Latin, attributed to Henry of Bratton, c. 1210-1268), Full Text. [At Harvard]
• The Barons' Revolt and Magna Carta
  • King John of England: Fees for Use of the Great Seal, 1199
  • King John of England: Royal Licenses to Export and Import, 1205-1206
  • King John of England: Prisage on Wine, 1205
  • Articles of the Barons, Jun 15, 1215, copyrighted
  • Magna Carta, 1215, A Magna Carta in plain text is also available, as is a British Library modern translation.
  • Roger of Wendover: Runneymede 1215 from Flowers of Hisory.
  • John I: Concession Of England To The Pope. A.D. 1213,.
  • Innocent III: Declaration that Magna Carta is Null and Void, Aug 24, 1215, copyrighted
  • Magna Carta, 1216, (a revised version), copyrighted
• The Struggle of Henry III and His Barons
  • Henry III of England: Complaints of Heavy Taxation, 1230 Matthew of Westminster: Simon de Montfort's Rebellion, 1265.
• Parliament Coalesces
  • Summons of a Bishop, a Baron, and the Commons to Parliament 1295.
  • Edward I: Confirmation of the Charters, 1297.
  • Edward II: Coronation Oath, 1308.
  • Thomas Walsingham: The Good Parliament of 1376, from Chronicon Angliae
  • The Manner and Form of the Coronation of the Kings and Queens of England, 1385 - 1460. [At Chronique]

• Government
  • texts
• Henry III
  • Henry III: Documents of the Church of Salisbury in the Early 13th Century,   trans. Richard Barton
• Edward I
  • The Register of Roger Martival, Bishop of Salisbury, 1315-1330,  trans. Richard Barton
    Texts from the Register of Roger Martivall, Bishop of Salisbury. The last one, in particular, is of interest, as it is concerned with criminous clerks and clerical status.
• Legal Texts
  • Statuta Armorum (The Statutes of Arms), c. 1260
  • The Assizes of Bread, Beer, & Lucrum Pistoris
  • Statuta de Forstallariis (Statute of Forestallers), c. 1300
  • Judicium Pillorie (The Judgment of the Pillory)
  • Statuta de Mercatoribus (Statutes of Merchants), 11 Edw. I (1283) & 13 Edw. I (1285)
  • Edward I: Edward I: Statute of Quia Emptores, 1290.
  • Edward I: Statute of Mortmain, 1279.
  • Edward I: Confirmatio Cartarum, November 5, 1297, (Confirmation of Henry III's version of the Magna Carta). [At Britannia.com]
  • Robert Palmer: Statutes of Edward I [At Univ. Houston].
    Texts, plus discussion, with case examples.
  • Robert Palmer: The Equity Courts. [At Univ. Houston]
    Texts, plus discussion, with case examples.
  • Orders for the English Fleet, 1326. [At Hillsdale]
  • Ordinance of Laborers, 1349.
  • Statute of Laborers, 1351.
  • Titulus Regius, 1484   [At R3]
    The Act of Parliament settling the crown on Richard III.
  • Various Select Pleas
    These documents illustrate the development of the English legal system.
    • Select Pleas of the Crown, 1200-1225 - Cornish Eyre.
    • Select Pleas in Manorial and Other Seignorial Courts, Reigns of Henry III and Edward III - Manor of Brightwaltham.
    • Select Pleas of the Crown, 1200-1225 - Lincolnshire Eyre.
    • Select Pleas of the Crown, 1200-1225 - Northamptonshire Eyre.
    • Select Pleas of the Crown, 1200-1225 - Bedfordshire Eyre.
    • Select Pleas of the Crown, 1200-1225 - Staffordshire Eyre.
    • Select Pleas of the Crown, 1200-1225 - Shropshire Eyre.
    • Select Pleas in Manorial and Other Seignorial Courts, Reigns of Henry III and Edward I - Manors of the Abbey of Bec, A.D. 1247.
    • Select Pleas in Manorial and Other Seignorial Courts, Reigns of Henry III and Edward I - Manors of the Abbey of Bec, A.D. 1248.
    • Select Pleas in Manorial and Other Seignorial Courts, Reigns of Henry III and Edward I - Manors of the Abbey of Bec, A.D. 1249.
    • Select Pleas in Manorial and Other Seignorial Courts, Reigns of Henry III and Edward I - Manors of the Abbey of Bec, A.D. 1275.
    • Select Pleas in Manorial and Other Seignorial Courts, Reigns of Henry III and Edward I - Manors of the Abbey of Bec, A.D. 1280.
  • Court Rolls of The Manor of Wakefield, 1274-1297
• Public Violence
  • Jean Froissart: The English Peasant Revolt, 1381, from Chronicles [At Nipissing].
  • Jack Cade: Proclamation of Grievances, 1450
  • The Second Battle of St. Albans, 1461. [At Hillsdale, now Internet Archive]
  • Invasion of Northern England, 1463. [At Hillsdale, now Internet Archive]
  • Siege of Bamborough, 1464. [At Hillsdale, now Internet Archive]
  • The Battle of Barnet, 1471. [At Hillsdale, now Internet Archive]
  • The Battle of Tewkesbury, 1471. [At Hillsdale, now Internet Archive]
  • Equipment List of the HMS Mary Rose, 1514. [At Hillsdale, now Internet Archive]
• Yorkists and Lancastrians
  • Sir Jean Froissart: John of Gaunt in Portugal, 1385
  • For Wycliff and Lollards see Reformation page
  • WEB Sources on Richard III and The Yorkist Dynasty  [At Richard III Society.]
  • Medieval sources are linked to directly from here, but the site contains many more early modern and modern discussions of the Richard III controversy.
  • Anonymous: Croyland Chronicle  [At R3]
    A portion of the Second Continuation, and the full text of the Third and Fourth Continuations. Covers all entries for the period 1453-1486. Important primary source for the study of the Wars of the Roses and especially the reigns of Henry VI, Edward IV, and Richard III.
  • Anonymous: History of the Arrival of Edward IV. in England and the Final Recovery of His Kingdoms from Henry VI  [At R3]
    Yorkist propaganda in one of its earlier manifestations. 
    • Part I: Introduction, with Footnotes and Transcriber's Notes on Textual Adaptation 
    • Part II: Landing through the Reconciliation with Clarence 
    • Part III: Confrontation at Coventry through the Battle of Barnet 
    • Part IV: The Coming of Queen Margaret through the Battle of Tewkesbury 
    • Part V: The Aftermath of Tewkesbury through the Surrender of the Bastard of Fauconberg 
    • Part VI: Endnotes 
  • Thomas More: The History of King Richard the Third.
  • Nicolas, Nicholas Harris: The Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York: The Wardrobe Accounts of Edward IV [At R3]
    Nicolas's introductory memoirs of Yorkist royalty, with commentary on the Ricardian controversies of the time; the privy purse expenses of Elizabeth of York. To come: the Wardrobe Accounts. A lengthy series of documents, consisting of 24 interlinked files.
  • Plantagenet, Richard: The Statutes Ordained by Richard Duke of Gloucester, for the College of Middleham, July 4, 1478.   [At R3]
  • Titulus Regius, 1484   [At R3]
    The Act of Parliament settling the crown on Richard III.
  • Polydore Vergil: Anglica Historia, Books 23-25.
    History of the deposition of Edward V and the reign of Richard III by humanist historian Polydore Vergil. One of the classic traditionalist sources.
  • Horace Walpole: Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard III, 1768.
  • John Warkworth, DD.: A Chronicle of the First Thirteen Years of the Reign of King Edward the Fourth.   [At R3]
    Contemporary chronicle with Lancastrian leanings.
• The Tudor Victory
  • Anonymous: The Ballad of Bosworth Field [At R3]
    Sixteenth-century poem, thought to be written by an eye-witness to the battle, with exhaustive list of Richard III's supporters. 

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© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 20 January 2021