King, Andy, ed., trans,, Scalacronica (Rochester NY: Boydell & Brewer (Surtees Society vol. 209))
Text name(s): Scalacronica
Number of pages of primary source text: 103
Author(s):
Dates: 1272 - 1363
Archival Reference:
Original Language(s):
- English - Middle English
- Latin
Translation:
- Translated into English.
- Original language included.
Translation Comments:
Geopolitical Region(s):
- England
- France
- Scotland
County/Region: Edinburgh
Record Types:
- Chronicle, Annals
Subject Headings:
- Government
- Historiography
- Nobility / Gentry
- War - Chivalry
- War - Military History
Apparatus:
- Index
- Appendix
- Bibliography
- Introduction
Comments:
This chronicle was begun by Sir Thomas Gray of Heaton in 1355 as he was being held captive in Edinburgh following an ambush, and relates the history of England from the creation of the world to the year 1363. Its name comes from the scaling ladder which is a part of Gray’s coat of arms, and which also featured in a vision he relates in the prologue of his chronicle. This volume includes the prologue to the work as well as the chronicle for the years 1272-1363; a full translation is forthcoming. This text is interesting for its English noble perspective on chivalry, governing, and conflicts with the Scots and French.
Introduction Summary:
The lengthy (64 pp) introduction discusses the lives of both the author Sir Thomas Gray and his father, another Thomas Gray, both of whom figure prominently in the work for the years translated in this volume, paying special attention to the literary sources of the younger Thomas Gray. The editor also considers the manuscript in which the Scalacronica survives, its provenance, and previous published editions.
Cataloger: MCB
