Writing History for the King : Henry II and the Politics of Vernacular Historiography /

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This book is at once a reassessment of the reign of Henry II of England (1133-1189) and an original contribution to our understanding of the rise of vernacular historiography in the high Middle Ages. The author focuses on two dynastic histories commissioned by Henry: Wace's Roman de Rou (c. 116...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor principal: Urbanski, Charity, 1970- (Autor)
Formato: Electrónico eBook
Idioma:Inglés
Publicado: Ithaca : Cornell University Press, 2013.
Colección:Book collections on Project MUSE.
Temas:
Normandy, Dukes of.
Henry > II, > King of England, > 1133-1189.
Ducs de Normandie.
Wace, > approximately 1100-approximately 1175. > Roman de Rou.
Benoît, > de Sainte-More, > active 12th century. > Chronique des ducs de Normandie.
Roman de Rou (Wace)
Historiography.
LITERARY CRITICISM > Medieval.
HISTORY > Europe > Great Britain.
Great Britain.
France > Normandy.
Grande-Bretagne > Histoire > 1154-1216 (Angevins) > Historiographie.
Grande-Bretagne > Histoire > 1066-1154 (Periode normande) > Historiographie.
Normandy (France) > Historiography.
Great Britain > History > Angevin period, 1154-1216 > Historiography.
Great Britain > History > Norman period, 1066-1154 > Historiography.
History.
Electronic books.
Acceso en línea:Texto completo
Descripción
Sumario:This book is at once a reassessment of the reign of Henry II of England (1133-1189) and an original contribution to our understanding of the rise of vernacular historiography in the high Middle Ages. The author focuses on two dynastic histories commissioned by Henry: Wace's Roman de Rou (c. 1160-1174) and Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Chronique des ducs de Normandie (c. 1174-1189). In both cases, Henry adopted the new genre of vernacular historical writing in Old French verse in an effort to disseminate a royalist version of the past that would help secure a grip on power for himself and his children. Wace was the first to be commissioned, but in 1174 the king abruptly fired him, turning the task over to Benoît de Sainte-Maure. The author examines these histories as part of a single enterprise intended to cement the king's authority by enhancing the prestige of Henry II's dynasty. In a close reading of Wace's Rou, this text shows that it presented a less than flattering picture of Henry's predecessors, in effect challenging his policies and casting a shadow over the legitimacy of his rule. Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Chronique, in contrast, mounted a staunchly royalist defense of Anglo-Norman kingship. The author reads both works in the context of Henry's reign, arguing that as part of his drive to curb baronial power he sought a history that would memorialize his dynasty and solidify its claim to England and Normandy.
Descripción Física:1 online resource (256 pages).
ISBN:9780801469725

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