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The ''Liber Eliensis'' (sometimes ''Historia Eliensis''〔Fairweather "Introduction" ''Liber Eliensis'' p. xiii〕 or ''Book of Ely'') is a 12th-century English chronicle and history, written in Latin. Composed in three books, it was written at Ely Abbey on the island of Ely in the fenlands of eastern Cambridgeshire. Ely Abbey became the cathedral of a newly formed bishopric in 1109. Traditionally the author of the anonymous work has been given as Richard or Thomas, two monks at Ely, one of whom, Richard, has been identified with an official of the monastery, but some historians hold that neither Richard nor Thomas was the author. The ''Liber'' covers the period from the founding of the abbey in 673 until the middle of the 12th century, building on earlier historical works. It incorporates documents and stories of saints' lives. The work typifies a type of local history produced during the latter part of the 12th century. Similar books were written at other English monasteries. The longest of the contemporary local histories, the ''Liber'' chronicles the devastation that the Anarchy caused during the reign of King Stephen. It also documents the career of Nigel, the Bishop of Ely from 1133 to 1169, and his disputes with King Stephen. Other themes include the miracles worked by the monastery's patron saint, Æthelthryth, and gifts of land to Ely. Two complete manuscripts survive, complemented by partial manuscripts. The Latin text was published in 1962, and an English translation followed in 2005. Extracts had appeared in print earlier. The ''Liber Eliensis'' provides an important history of the region and period it covers, and particularly for the abbey and bishopric of Ely. ==Background and authorship== The ''Liber Eliensis'' was written at Ely Abbey, which became Ely Cathedral upon conversion into a bishopric in 1109.〔Stafford ''Unification and Conquest'' p. 20〕〔Stafford ''Unification and Conquest'' pp. 180–181〕 The historian Elisabeth van Houts believes that it was written in two stages: first under Bishop Hervey le Breton, in office from 1109 to 1133; and continued under Bishop Geoffrey Ridel, who served from 1173 to 1189. For van Houts, the first stage was the translation of an Old English work into Latin, commissioned by Bishop Hervey. The rest of the work, van Houts argues, was composed in the 1170s.〔van Houts "Historical Writing" ''Companion to the Anglo-Norman World'' p. 110〕 However, E. O. Blake, who edited the first Latin printing of the work, concludes that the ''Liber'' was probably composed in three parts, based on its contents; the first book of the ''Liber'' was begun after 1131, when one of the sources used in the ''Liber'' was completed. The second has a preface apologising for the delay in its completion, and could not have been started before 1154, as it records events from that year. The third and final book was completed between 1169, when Bishop Nigel died and whose death is mentioned in the book, and 1174, when a new bishop was appointed. As there is no mention of Nigel's replacement, Blake states that this suggests that book three was finished before the new bishop took office.〔Blake "Introduction" ''Liber Eliensis'' pp. xlvi–xlix〕 Traditionally the work was ascribed to either Thomas or Richard, two monks of Ely mentioned in the text.〔Fairweather "Introduction" ''Liber Eliensis'' p. xvii〕 The historian Antonia Gransden is inclined to believe that the work is by Richard, who is usually identified with the Richard who was recorded as sub-prior and prior of Ely, holding the latter office from 1177 until some time between 1189 and 1194.〔Gransden ''Historical Writing'' p. 271〕 Blake thinks that Richard was the author, but he considers the evidence to be inconclusive.〔 Janet Fairweather, a classicist and a recent translator of the ''Liber'', suggests that it may have been written by someone other than the traditional candidates.〔 Whoever the author, the ''Liber'' specifically states that it was written at the bidding of some members of the monastic community at Ely.〔Gransden ''Historical Writing'' p. 272〕 The ''Liber'' is one of a number of monastic histories written during the middle and later 12th century, when a number of monasteries in northern and southern England produced works devoted to recording the histories of their religious houses and local areas. In the south, these included the ''Historia Ecclesie Abbendonensis'' of Abingdon Abbey, the ''Chronicon Abbatiae Rameseiensis'' of Ramsey Abbey, the ''Chronicon Angliae Petriburgense'' of Peterborough Abbey, a history of the see of Bath and Wells, and the ''Chronicon Monasterii de Bello'' of Battle Abbey. The northern histories record the foundation stories of the various Cistercian houses in the north, along with other information relating to those houses. Those from the south, including the ''Liber Eliensis'', mainly concern themselves with the various controversies involving their respective religious houses. The northern histories are less concerned with controversy, and overall are more prone to hagiography.〔Gransden ''Historical Writing'' pp. 269–270〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Liber Eliensis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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