Chronicles and Histories from the Schulich-Woolf Rare Book Collection
In learning and researching how the British discovered their past, students studied medieval chronicles, myths of foundation, political history, Elizabethan views of the past, and the rise of antiquarianism. Several students consulted the same sources, including Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), John Stow's Annales (1631), and John Milton's History of Britain (1670). Each student approached the work through a different research lens producing diverse papers. Below are the students' reactions to using books from the 16th through the 18th centuries. You may click on the images or titles to see more images of the works listed.
St. Alban's Chronicle (1515) printed by Wynkyn de Worde
I used this book as a way to examine a more historical and less mythical interpretation of Arthur, this chronicle was the main support forcontrasting a historical Arthur with Edmund Spenser's Faerie Queene King Arthur. This chronicle helped me learn to read Middle English for future papers and projects.
-Edwin Ng
Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles (1587)
Holinshed's Chronicles were important in my research of the legends of the founding of the kingdoms of Scotland and England. It gave me a perfect view of how the legends evolved over time and to see the representation of the different legends after the unification of the two kingdoms. Prior to this point both kingdoms had very separate origin stories.
-Nick Dyke
The 1587 edition of Holinshed's Chronicles was influential on Shakespeare's history plays, in particular on Richard III. Richard's monstrous image in this play stems from the legacy of writers on Richard and Holinshed's work consists of a compilation of these writers such as Thomas More and Edward Hall. Through this chronicle, one can look at the most enduring aspects of Richard people thought about when they discussed him.
-Jill Raymond
While endeavouring to uncover how humour has been used in retelling history, Holinshed's Chronicles provided me with valuable insight into the Elizabethan public's opinions and their growing sense of national pride. Those with languages or dialects other than England's English were mocked and seen as inferior. Not only are these representations of these 'others' comedic, but they instil a sense of pride surrounding Englishness. Furthermore, the 'trivial' content of the Chronicles, focusing on information similar to gossip, was instrumental in appealing to the common public, being both informative and entertaining.
-Lauren Westecott
John Nordon's Speculum Britanniae (1593)
I have used these books because I am examining the interplay between antiquarian works and town chronicles. I am examining whether the town chronicle contributed to the rise of antiquarianism in England during the 16th century.
-Emma Allen
Emma also consulted John Stow's Survey of London (1754) and Richard Arnold's Customs of London (1811). You may view these works in the second part of the exhibit.
John Stow's Annales (1631)
Stow’s Annales have been instrumental in my analysis of Queen Mary I of England’s reputation after her death. While Foxe, in his Actes and Monuments or more commonly referred to as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, is quite blunt in his condemnation of Mary I and her religion, Stow has a more measured approach. While Stow does seem to disapprove of Mary I’s decisions during her reign, he expresses this view in a more subtle way than does Foxe, making his Annales a fascinating perspective of the legacy of one of England’s first queens.
-Johanna Strong
John Milton's The History of England (1670)
The topic for my research was on the portrayal and use of British myth (Brutus, Arthur, King Lucius) for political and religious ends in the pre-Reformation and post-Reformation periods. The Stow and Milton books are the examples I used for the post-Reformation section, in which I discussed the authors' awareness that the myths may well be only myths, but for various reasons include them anyways in their histories. The Milton book was my main focus as it was written after the English Civil War and represents a view that is over a century removed from the Reformation. I used it to examine how the situation normalized over time and how the role of myth has evolved.
-Iain Faulkner
My research paper was on Tudor and Stuart era views of Anglo-Saxon history. Along with works by William Martyn, Richard Verstegan, and a few other contemporary and Early Medieval writers, I used Milton's 1670 book to get a period academic British view of Anglo-Saxon history. Although this book was available online, like the majority of my written sources, it was a meaningful experience for me as a history student to get to read directly from such an old copy, which itself is a historical item and document.
-Pierce Cosgrove
Paul Rycault's Present State of the Ottoman Empire (1675)
For my research I used Paul Rycault as the voice to the historical narrative of the Turks in the 17th century. I believe Rycault to be an invaluable source of history as he first speaks against the tales told and accepted by fellow countrymen who had traveled to the Ottoman empire for short periods of times. Rycault is able to provide insight to the rules of conduct of the Turkish polity and misconceptions of the 'barbarous' nature of the Turks as Rycault spent five years overseas and was allowed access into the Ottoman court.
-Megan Kirby
Robert Atkyns' The Ancient and Present State of Glostershire (1712)
Robert Atkyns' The Ancient and Present State of Glostershire is first and foremost a beautiful book. It features intricate maps and full page engravings of large manorial estates of the county. While advertising a more local study, it reveals the complexity of regionalism and its balance between local and national identities.
-Kayla Dettinger
Edward Earl of Clarendon's The history of the reign of King Charles the Second (1757)
I used this book primarily as an avenue through which to look at publishing and print culture in 17th-century Britain. Through the printer of the work, Mary Cooper, this book offers insight beyond the text and into the work of female book printers/publishers of the period.
-Beth Sollis