The Annals of change : a comparative study of two fourteenth-century English chronicles

Abstract

In the late fourteenth century, history writing in England was in the process of change.There was a shift from the monastic chronicles in Latin to secular chronicles in the vernacular.This historiographical transition was accompanied by the turbulent years of Richard II's reign, famous for the deposition of this king at the end of this century.Richard II's reign was also remarkable because of the number of chronicles written during that time.This thesis examines two of these chronicles, Adam Usk's Chronicon and the Westminster Chronicle, with a comparative approach.In the first place, the tradition of historical writing especially in the late medieval period is examined, looking at the stylistic features and the content characteristics of the chronicles.Secondly, the thesis deals with Adam Usk's chronicle and analyses its significant features.Thirdly, a similar approach is applied to the Westminster Chronicle.Finally, these two chronicles are compared.The conclusion of this thesis is that, the transition from the monastic chronicles to the secular chronicles can be exemplified by these two late fourteenth century chronicles and that an analysis of features in terms of style and content enables historians to reach a better evaluation and understanding of them.