Liber Eliensis
The Liber Eliensis (also Historia Eliensis dt .: Book of Ely and history of Ely ) is a work that the history of the monastery Ely from the foundation around the year 673 to the late 12th century, when it was written, in Latin language describes.
The thesis that the author is the monks Richard and / or Thomas is no longer supported as very unlikely. Presumably the scribe could not finish his work. The last 25 chapters of the third book differ stylistically and appear as if they had been added by another author.
In addition to the story of Ely Abbey and stories from the life of the monastery founder and first abbess Æthelthryth (St. Audrey) and other saints, the book gives an insight into the social structure, culture, belief in miracles and religious cult of the Middle Ages. When writing the book in the 12th century, the author was able to fall back on older hagiographies , documents and records. In terms of content, it is viewed with a certain skepticism by “modern” historians.
Literature and editions
- Janet Fairweather (translator): Liber Eliensis. A History of the Isle of Ely from the Seventh Century to the Twelfth, compiled by a Monk of Ely in the Twelfth Century . Boydell, Woodbridge 2005, ISBN 978-1-84383-015-3 (English; limited preview in Google book search).
- Ernest Oscar Blake: Liber Eliensis . Royal Historical Society, London 1962 (Latin, partly Old English).
Web links
- Digitized , Trinity College Cambridge