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Product Description
This is the first English translation for forty years of a medieval classic, offering vivid and unique insight into the life of a great monastery in late twelfth-century England. The translation brilliantly communicates the interest and immediacy of Jocelin's narrative, and the annotation is particularly clear and helpful.
About the Author
Diana Greenway and Jane Sayers work at the Institute of Historical Research, University of London. Dr Greenway is one of the general editors of the OMT series.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Jocelyn de Brakelond whose name is of Breckland, Norfolk, was a monk who chronicled events at Edmondsbury Abbey between 1173-1202 AD.
His text is empirical, objective, unpretentious.
One only wishes he could have turned his hand to a broader history. He evinces such historical accuracy. There is aloofness; an ivory-tower separation from the tawdry brutish life of society beyond their walls.
This is "another world truly," wrote Carlyle, "...who knows but we ourselves had taken refuge from an evil Time and fled to dwell here, and meditate on an Eternity, in such fashion as we could."
Carlyle sees him as "patient, peaceable, loving, smiling nature. Wise simplicity is in him, much natural sense, a veracity that goes deeper than words." Jocelin mentions that he (Jocelin) wrote another work, "The Book of the Miracles of St. Robert" regarding a boy supposedly killed by a Jewish man in 1118.
The Abbot at the time was Samson de Tottington, born in 1135 at Tottington, near Thetford, in Norfolk. His father appears to have died when Samson was young, hence he was sent to be a cloistered novice monk. He was tutored by William of Diss, and at the University of Paris, had a big nose, bushy brows, clear-flashing eyes, and a russet beard.
Jocelin was Samson's chaplain. In 1198 and 1200 he was Guest-master, and in 1212, Almoner.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How abbot Hugh ruled the church of St. Edmund
How the monastery was freed from legatine visitation
Concerning master Dennis the cellarer
How abbot Hugh strove to win the favour of master Samson
How abbot Hugh came by his death
How the death of abbot Hugh was told to the king, and of those things which the servants of the king did .
How the prior ruled the monastery, while there was no abbot
How the cellarer and the sacristan behaved during the vacancy
Concerning the conduct of Samson the sub-sacristan during the vacancy
How the enemies of Samson prevailed against him, but only for a time
How the monks disputed amongst themselves which of them should be abbot
How Samson the subsacristan bore himself while others discussed the vacancy .
How the author spoke his mind too hastily
How the archbishop of Norway dwelt in the abbot's lodgings while the abbacy was vacant
Of the martyrdom of Saint Robert
How thirteen men were chosen, by command of the king, to elect an abbot in the presence of the king
How Samson suggested that the monastery should appoint men to make a secret choice of an abbot, and how this was done.
How, on the advice of Samson, it was decided what should be done if the king would not grant freedom of election
How the chosen thirteen journeyed to the king
Of the dreams which the brothers dreamed concerning the election of a new abbot .
How the thirteen came to the king and showed to him the names of those whom the confessors had selected
How the thirteen, by command of the king, chose three other names from the monastery and three strangers
How the list of names was reduced from nine to two
How Samson was elected abbot
How the news of the election came to the monastery, and how Samson was blessed.
How Samson, having been made abbot, returned and was received at the monastery
How abbot Samson began to rule the monastery
How the abbot met the demand of Thomas de Hastings that his nephew should be steward
How the abbot dealt with the lands of his house
Of that which was done at the abbot's first chapter
How certain men wished to conspire against the abbot
How the abbot journeyed through the lands
of Saint Edmund, and how lie escaped death at Warkton
How the creditors of the abbey demanded payment, and how the abbot took his manors into his own hand
How the abbot did not then take Harlow into his own hand
How the abbot managed the lands which he farmed himself
How abbot Samson was made a justice, and how he bore himself in this office
How some men made complaint against the abbot How the author talked with the abbot concerning the sadness of his manner . Concerning a dream which the abbot had when a boy
How the abbot restrained his temper that he might not offend
How the abbot forbade secret accusations, and how he ordered the restoration of all private seals
Concerning further regulations which the abbot made
Concerning the appearance and private character of the abbot
How abbot Samson dealt with flatterers
How abbot Samson managed his household
How the abbot treated those monks with whom he had been intimate before he became abbot
How the abbot treated his relations
How the abbot was mindful of those who had shown kindness to him in the past, and how he treated those who had been harsh
Concerning other good acts of abbot Samson
How the Jews were driven from Saint Edmund's
How the abbot secured the manor of Mildenhall, and endowed the hospital at Babwell
Concerning the church of Woolpit, and how it was secured for the abbey .
How the abbot disputed with the archbishop concerning the manor of Eleigh
How the abbot wished to take the cross, and how he offered to seek king Richard in Germany
How the abbot resisted the authority of the legate
Of the conduct of the abbot while king Richard was in captivity
Concerning that which befel certain knights who desired to hold a tournament contrary to the wish of the abbot
Concerning the missions of the abbot to the papal court
How the abbot met the claim of Earl de Clare to bear the standard of Saint Edmund
Concerning the case of Adam de Cokefield
How the mill which Herbert the dean had built was overturned
How the right of the abbot to present to certain churches was disputed, and what befel in the matter
How abbot Samson disputed with Jordan de Ros
How the author made a list of the abbot's churches as a gift to the abbot, and the names of those churches
How the abbot freed his church from contribution to the fine inflicted on Norfolk and Suffolk
How the abbot disputed with his knights
Concerning Henry of Essex
How the abbot deceived the bishop of Ely for the good of his church .
How there were disputes concerning the appointment of bailiffs for the town
How abbot Samson disputed with the men of London about the payment of tolls
How there was a dispute with the burghers is to dues from the town
Concerning the charter granted to the town by the abbot
How the monastery was troubled with in competent cellarers
How the abbot resisted Hubert Walter when he claimed legatine authority over the abbey
How the abbot contended with his knights as to service across the sea
How the abbot took charge of the cellar, and how for that cause murmuring arose in the monastery
Concerning the will of Hamo Blund
How there were riots in the cemetery, and concerning that which was done in the matter
Whether it is better to have an abbot from one's own house
How there was a quarrel with the monks of Ely
How the abbot disputed with the bishop of Ely
How king John summoned the abbot to him, and of that which was done thereupon
How the abbot left the monastery in peace with all men
His text is empirical, objective, unpretentious.
One only wishes he could have turned his hand to a broader history. He evinces such historical accuracy. There is aloofness; an ivory-tower separation from the tawdry brutish life of society beyond their walls.
This is "another world truly," wrote Carlyle, "...who knows but we ourselves had taken refuge from an evil Time and fled to dwell here, and meditate on an Eternity, in such fashion as we could."
Carlyle sees him as "patient, peaceable, loving, smiling nature. Wise simplicity is in him, much natural sense, a veracity that goes deeper than words." Jocelin mentions that he (Jocelin) wrote another work, "The Book of the Miracles of St. Robert" regarding a boy supposedly killed by a Jewish man in 1118.
The Abbot at the time was Samson de Tottington, born in 1135 at Tottington, near Thetford, in Norfolk. His father appears to have died when Samson was young, hence he was sent to be a cloistered novice monk. He was tutored by William of Diss, and at the University of Paris, had a big nose, bushy brows, clear-flashing eyes, and a russet beard.
Jocelin was Samson's chaplain. In 1198 and 1200 he was Guest-master, and in 1212, Almoner.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How abbot Hugh ruled the church of St. Edmund
How the monastery was freed from legatine visitation
Concerning master Dennis the cellarer
How abbot Hugh strove to win the favour of master Samson
How abbot Hugh came by his death
How the death of abbot Hugh was told to the king, and of those things which the servants of the king did .
How the prior ruled the monastery, while there was no abbot
How the cellarer and the sacristan behaved during the vacancy
Concerning the conduct of Samson the sub-sacristan during the vacancy
How the enemies of Samson prevailed against him, but only for a time
How the monks disputed amongst themselves which of them should be abbot
How Samson the subsacristan bore himself while others discussed the vacancy .
How the author spoke his mind too hastily
How the archbishop of Norway dwelt in the abbot's lodgings while the abbacy was vacant
Of the martyrdom of Saint Robert
How thirteen men were chosen, by command of the king, to elect an abbot in the presence of the king
How Samson suggested that the monastery should appoint men to make a secret choice of an abbot, and how this was done.
How, on the advice of Samson, it was decided what should be done if the king would not grant freedom of election
How the chosen thirteen journeyed to the king
Of the dreams which the brothers dreamed concerning the election of a new abbot .
How the thirteen came to the king and showed to him the names of those whom the confessors had selected
How the thirteen, by command of the king, chose three other names from the monastery and three strangers
How the list of names was reduced from nine to two
How Samson was elected abbot
How the news of the election came to the monastery, and how Samson was blessed.
How Samson, having been made abbot, returned and was received at the monastery
How abbot Samson began to rule the monastery
How the abbot met the demand of Thomas de Hastings that his nephew should be steward
How the abbot dealt with the lands of his house
Of that which was done at the abbot's first chapter
How certain men wished to conspire against the abbot
How the abbot journeyed through the lands
of Saint Edmund, and how lie escaped death at Warkton
How the creditors of the abbey demanded payment, and how the abbot took his manors into his own hand
How the abbot did not then take Harlow into his own hand
How the abbot managed the lands which he farmed himself
How abbot Samson was made a justice, and how he bore himself in this office
How some men made complaint against the abbot How the author talked with the abbot concerning the sadness of his manner . Concerning a dream which the abbot had when a boy
How the abbot restrained his temper that he might not offend
How the abbot forbade secret accusations, and how he ordered the restoration of all private seals
Concerning further regulations which the abbot made
Concerning the appearance and private character of the abbot
How abbot Samson dealt with flatterers
How abbot Samson managed his household
How the abbot treated those monks with whom he had been intimate before he became abbot
How the abbot treated his relations
How the abbot was mindful of those who had shown kindness to him in the past, and how he treated those who had been harsh
Concerning other good acts of abbot Samson
How the Jews were driven from Saint Edmund's
How the abbot secured the manor of Mildenhall, and endowed the hospital at Babwell
Concerning the church of Woolpit, and how it was secured for the abbey .
How the abbot disputed with the archbishop concerning the manor of Eleigh
How the abbot wished to take the cross, and how he offered to seek king Richard in Germany
How the abbot resisted the authority of the legate
Of the conduct of the abbot while king Richard was in captivity
Concerning that which befel certain knights who desired to hold a tournament contrary to the wish of the abbot
Concerning the missions of the abbot to the papal court
How the abbot met the claim of Earl de Clare to bear the standard of Saint Edmund
Concerning the case of Adam de Cokefield
How the mill which Herbert the dean had built was overturned
How the right of the abbot to present to certain churches was disputed, and what befel in the matter
How abbot Samson disputed with Jordan de Ros
How the author made a list of the abbot's churches as a gift to the abbot, and the names of those churches
How the abbot freed his church from contribution to the fine inflicted on Norfolk and Suffolk
How the abbot disputed with his knights
Concerning Henry of Essex
How the abbot deceived the bishop of Ely for the good of his church .
How there were disputes concerning the appointment of bailiffs for the town
How abbot Samson disputed with the men of London about the payment of tolls
How there was a dispute with the burghers is to dues from the town
Concerning the charter granted to the town by the abbot
How the monastery was troubled with in competent cellarers
How the abbot resisted Hubert Walter when he claimed legatine authority over the abbey
How the abbot contended with his knights as to service across the sea
How the abbot took charge of the cellar, and how for that cause murmuring arose in the monastery
Concerning the will of Hamo Blund
How there were riots in the cemetery, and concerning that which was done in the matter
Whether it is better to have an abbot from one's own house
How there was a quarrel with the monks of Ely
How the abbot disputed with the bishop of Ely
How king John summoned the abbot to him, and of that which was done thereupon
How the abbot left the monastery in peace with all men
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Despite my disappointment at the brevity of this book I realise this is constrained by the original chronicle.This modern translation seems excellent and although I havent seen the sources yet it rings true of its time and genre.The bibliography and introduction/notes are most helpfull and the contextual background very useful.The story told by the chronicle is unusual in its personal content and emotional honesty,as well as insights to monastic lives,disputes and minutiae of the 12th century.In short an excellent study,slightly marred by the print quality and production but it was cheap and you get what you pay for,as ever. SRH-J
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4 reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
A curious, charming little book
16 Sep 2002
Format:Paperback
I stumbled upon this little volume in a used book store and, as I've an amateurish interest in mediaeval culture, decided to buy it. Written by a monk of the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds (in Suffolk, England) in the 12th century, it narrates various happenings in that monastery over a period of about 30 years.
There is no overriding narrative here. The author - Jocelin of Brakelond by name - seems to have simply jotted things down when the fancy took him. Most of what he records pertains to the politics - internal and external - of the monastery, and with financial matters : there is one amusing section where he records the fees paid to the monastery by knights of the district. Those looking for spiritual exhortation or insight into monastic religion should look elsewhere.
Though the events of the monastery are not exactly of earth-shattering importance, the book does give one a fascinating view into mediaeval life at the time. Jocelin himself is a wise old character whose observations of his fellow monks are carefully weighed and perceptive. He does not shrink from relating the drama and discord surrounding elections within the monastery. And in the background of the community's life we see the Kings of England (who on a few occasions come to visit), the life of the surrounding town, and in the distance the waging of the Third Crusade.
The most interesting part of the book to me was the account of the fire at the shrine of St. Edmund, and of the subsequent translation of the body and examination of the corpse (by then about 300 years old and still, apparently, incorrupt). I found it a real delight.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A Peek Inside a Famous and Powerful Medieval Abbey
9 Feb 2008
Format:Paperback
Jocelin of Brakelond was a monk at the powerful, influential, and internationally famous Abbey of Bury St Edmund's. This was certainly no isolated institution like those on the Irish coast for the monks owned and controlled the extensive town, market, mills, hospitals, and inns that surrounded the Abbey's walls (pg ix). Because of the economic importance of the abbey, Jocelin is concerned inordinately with the expenses and costs and incomes of annual rents and tolls. The abbot acted as the King's viceroy for the East Anglia and frequently went to the king's court. The events in Jocelin's chronicle center pertain primarily to the election of a new abbot for the monastery the elaborate process in obtaining one. From this vantage point means Jocelin pays the greatest attention to what when on inside the community rather than the more "world-shaking" events outside (pg x).
The introduction does a wonderful job explaining the importance of Bury St Edmunds, the abbey's role in the town, the history and importance of the Abbey's patron saint St Edmunds and his shrine, and Jocelin's portrayal of Abbot Samson (the primary focus of this account). The Chronicle itself is written clearly, sometimes quoting official documents, and deals with external events only when they directly pertain to the abbey (for example, King John's visit in 1199). Sadly, as in most of the Oxford World's Classics that I have read the author's Latin and the surviving manuscripts of the text (normally a key parts of primary source introductions) are only given a cursory and unsatisfactory examination.
This Oxford World Classics Edition is well endowed with useful tools. The Explanatory notes are extensive and very helpful in understanding unusual words (letes, suits, hidages etc), phrases (at blood-letting time), people (H. and R. of Ingham), and historical events not fully explained by the chronicler (the Flemings...outside the town). There is also a helpful chronology of Jocelin's Narrative, a wonderful introduction, and a map of the city of Bury St Edmunds and the Abbey (the only map missing is a map of England at the time).
This is a must buy for anyone interested in medieval monasteries but be prepared for a rather uneventful chronicle. Thankfully, the lack of action is more than made up by the immense detail that Jocelin uses to describe the daily life, administration, and concerns and worries of the monks, the interaction of the monastery with the surrounding areas, and the influence of the English king on abbey elections.
The introduction does a wonderful job explaining the importance of Bury St Edmunds, the abbey's role in the town, the history and importance of the Abbey's patron saint St Edmunds and his shrine, and Jocelin's portrayal of Abbot Samson (the primary focus of this account). The Chronicle itself is written clearly, sometimes quoting official documents, and deals with external events only when they directly pertain to the abbey (for example, King John's visit in 1199). Sadly, as in most of the Oxford World's Classics that I have read the author's Latin and the surviving manuscripts of the text (normally a key parts of primary source introductions) are only given a cursory and unsatisfactory examination.
This Oxford World Classics Edition is well endowed with useful tools. The Explanatory notes are extensive and very helpful in understanding unusual words (letes, suits, hidages etc), phrases (at blood-letting time), people (H. and R. of Ingham), and historical events not fully explained by the chronicler (the Flemings...outside the town). There is also a helpful chronology of Jocelin's Narrative, a wonderful introduction, and a map of the city of Bury St Edmunds and the Abbey (the only map missing is a map of England at the time).
This is a must buy for anyone interested in medieval monasteries but be prepared for a rather uneventful chronicle. Thankfully, the lack of action is more than made up by the immense detail that Jocelin uses to describe the daily life, administration, and concerns and worries of the monks, the interaction of the monastery with the surrounding areas, and the influence of the English king on abbey elections.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
A unique glimpse into the life of a medieval abbey
30 Dec 2003
Format:Paperback
Jocelin of Brakelond, one of the monks of the abbey of Bury St. Edmunds, allows us a glimpse into the life of a religious community between 1173 and 1202. He chronicles such events as the death of one abbot to the election of a new one, the fiscal affairs of the abbey, a fire that threatens the shrine to St. Edmund, and the politics and tensions of life as a monk dealing not only with other monks, but with townsfolk, the Jewish quarter, knights, the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the King.
I was impressed with just how enmeshed the religious community was in the affairs of the surrounding towns and in the politics of the country as a whole: controlling the markets, collecting monthly fees from every town, serving as the courts for disputes, sending knights to fight with the King. Looking at churches and abbeys now, we think of them only as places of worship, but back in medieval times, they were a large part of the community, affecting the prosperity of towns and cities. Jocelin's chronicle does a fine job of relating how everything co-existed during medieval times.
For anyone interested in medieval or religious history, this is a fascinating chronicle.
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