Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi benedicti abbatis. The Chronicle of the Reigns of Henry II and Richard I, AD 1169–1192

Published in 1867, this two-volume work provides valuable insight into the late twelfth-century monarchy and the reign of Henry II.

This two-volume work, published for the Rolls Series in 1867, contains the chronicle that is now attributed to Roger of Hoveden. It is a crucial source of information on the reign of Henry II, for whom Hoveden acted as clerk. Each volume includes rich contextual analysis in addition to the original Latin.This chronicle begins in 1169: it covers the accession of Richard I in 1189 and ends in the Spring of 1192. It is a crucial source of information on the reign of Henry II and consists of annals and a wide variety of documents, presented here in the original Latin. The chronicle was originally attributed to Benedict of Peterborough (c.1135–93), who kept the manuscript in his library. This was disputed by the scholar William Stubbs (1825–1901), who edited this work for the Rolls Series in 1867. It is now widely accepted that the author was Roger of Hoveden (d.1201/2), clerk to Henry II and present during Richard I's journey to take part in the Third Crusade. Volume 1 includes extensive historiographical commentary and appendices. Volume 2 includes extensive commentary on the governance of Henry II.