Matthew Paris was born
in about 1200. As a young man he entered the monastery at St. Albans.
Matthew was interested in history so he was given the job of helping
Roger of Wendover, the chronicler of the abbey of St. Albans. In
1236 Matthew took over from Roger.
St Albans abbey is situated
on the main road north from London. Many
travellers stopped for the night at St Albans
and Matthew Paris was able to collect a lot of information from them
about what was going on in the rest of the country.
Matthew's reputation as a historian grew and important people visited
him, no doubt hoping that he would say nice things about them in his
books. Those who visited him included Henry
III. However,
Matthew disagreed with Henry's policy of appointing foreign advisers
and he was often very critical of the king.
As well as being a good
writer, Matthew was a talented artist, and in the margins of his books
he illustrated the text with drawings and paintings. Although he has
been criticised for relying too much on rumour and gossip and being
prejudiced against foreigners and friars, Matthew Paris is considered
to be one of the most important historians of the medieval period.
Matthew Paris died in 1259.
Matthew
Paris, Execution of St Alban (c.1250)
The
Normans: Classroom Activities
(1)
Matthew Paris, The History of England (c. 1250)
If you speak or write truth about powerful men, they become
your enemies.
(2)
Thomas
Walsingham, Deeds of the Abbots
(c. 1420)
He (Matthew Paris)... wrote down fully in his books, the
deeds of great men in Church and State... Moreover he was also a good
workmen in gold and silver... in carving and in painting, that he
is believed to have left no equal in this world.
Available
from Amazon Books (order below)
