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William of Malmesbury

Type Figure Region England Time c. 1090–1143 Also known as William (of Malmesbury)

William of Malmesbury (c. 1090–c. 1143), English Benedictine monk and historian, long-serving librarian of Malmesbury Abbey;…

Timeline

  1. c. 1090–1115Wiltshire · WiltshireWilliam was of mixed Norman and English descent; as a youth he entered the Benedictine abbey of Malmesbury in Wiltshire, assisting Abbot Godfrey in assembling the library and building his learning in logic, nature, and history.
  2. 1118–1127Malmesbury · WiltshireFollowing Bede's example, he compiled a general history of England, completing a draft of the Gesta Regum and the Gesta Pontificum around 1125; the revised edition of 1127 was dedicated to Robert, Earl of Gloucester.
  3. 1135–1143Malmesbury · WiltshireAfter the death of Henry I he continued the Historia Novella, recording the conflict between Stephen and Matilda; in 1140 he declined the abbacy of Malmesbury, in 1141 he attended the Winchester council supporting Matilda, and the narrative ends in 1142.

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