Research Catalog

Title

The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbrook / translated by David Preest ; introduction and notes by Richard Barber.

Author

Baker, Geoffrey, active 1350.

Publication

Woodbridge : Boydell Press, 2012.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Additional Authors

• Preest, David.
• Barber, Richard W.

Description

xxvii, 155 p. : maps; 24 cm.

Summary

"Geoffrey le Baker's chronicle covers the reigns of Edward II and Edward III up to the English victory at Poitiers. It starts in a low key, copying an earlier chronicle, but by the end of Edward II's reign he offers a much more vivid account. His description of Edward II's last days is partly based on the eyewitness account of his patron, Sir Thomas de la More, who was present at one critical interview. Baker's story of Edward's death, like many other details from his chronicle, was picked up by Tudor historians, particularly by Holinshed, who was the source for Shakespeare's history plays. The reign of Edward III is dominated, not by Edward III himself, but by Baker's real hero, Edward prince of Wales. His bravery aged 16 at Crécy is presented as a prelude to his victory at Poitiers, a battle which Baker is able to describe in great detail, apparently from what he was told by the prince's commanders. It is a rarity among medieval battles, because - in sharp contrast to the total anarchy at Crécy - the prince and his staff were able to see the enemy's manoeuvres. Throughout the chronicle there are sharply defined vignettes which stay in the mind - the killing of the Scottish champion on Halidon Hill, the drowning of Sir Edward Bohun, the earls of Salisbury and Suffolk as prisoners carried in a cart, the death of Sir Walter Selby and his two sons, the bravery of Sir Thomas Dagworth against a cobbler's son, the duel between Otho and the duke of Lancaster, John Dancaster and the lewd washerwoman. Baker writes in a complex Latin which even scholars find problematic, and David Preest's new translation will be widely welcomed by anyone interested in the fourteenth century. There are extensive notes and an introduction by Richard Barber."--Publisher's website.

Uniform Title

Galfridi le Baker de Swinbroke Chronicon Angliae temporibus Edwardi II et Edwardi III. English

Alternative Title

• Galfridi le Baker de Swinbroke Chronicon Angliae temporibus Edwardi II et Edwardi III.
• Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbrook

Subject

• Great Britain > History > Edward II, 1307-1327
• Great Britain > History > Edward III, 1327-1377

Genre/Form

History

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Maps. The Crécy Campaign ; The raid of 1355 ; The poitiers campaign. -- Genealogy showing Edward III's claim to the French throne -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- The chronicle of Geoffrey Le Baker of Swinbrook.

ISBN

• 9781843836919
• 1843836912

OCLC

773672079

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library