Chronicles of the Reigns of Edward I and II Volume 1 Annals of London and Annals of St Paul's

This volume brings together two important medieval chronicles of the reigns of Edward I and Edward II: the Annals of London (Annales Londonienses) and the Annals of St Paul’s (Annales Paulini). Written close to the events they describe, these chronicles offer a vivid contemporary record of English political, military, ecclesiastical and civic life from the late thirteenth to the early fourteenth century. Their particular strength lies in their London perspective, recording not only the affairs of kings, nobles and bishops, but also parliaments, royal proclamations, civic disputes, elections of mayors and sheriffs, executions, tournaments, religious ceremonies, fires, floods, disturbances and the everyday concerns of the capital. The chronicles cover some of the most dramatic events of the period, including the wars of Edward I, conflict with Scotland, the turbulent reign of Edward II, the rise and fall of Piers Gaveston and the Despensers, the rebellion of Thomas of Lancaster, Queen Isabella’s invasion of England, the deposition of Edward II, and the accession of Edward III. The Annales Paulini, associated with St Paul’s Cathedral, is particularly rich in detailed observations of London and its clergy and citizens. An essential primary source for students and readers interested in medieval England, London history, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III, the Scottish wars, medieval politics, and ecclesiastical history, this volume provides an unusually immediate view of a kingdom undergoing profound political upheaval.

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Magna Britannica Volume 1

Magna Britannica Volume 1 is in Magna Britannica.

                
                    Camps and Earth Works. — This county having been frequently the scene of military operations in remote times, exhibits the remains of many ancient camps. It is not an easy matter to determine by what people they have all been formed: it is probable, however, that those of an irregular shape, upon the Downs, as Letcombe and Uffington castles, both in very commanding situations, were originally British, and afterwards used by the Romans. The former, which is almost circular, has a double vallum, and incloses an area of nearly 26 acres: there is an entrance on the east fide. The entrenchments and ditches of this camp contain eight acres and a half. Uffington castle, a large camp on the White-Horse Hill, just above the village, from which it takes its name, nearly resembles that already described: it is about 700 feet in diameter, from east to west, and 500 from north to south, and is surrounded with a high vallum, and a slighter one on the outside. The views from the inner vallum are very extensive in every direction.
                
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                    A little way to the westward of Uffington castle before-mentioned, near the ridgeway leading over the Downs, there is a considerable tumulus, commonly called Wayland-Smith; over which are, irregularly scattered, several of the large stones called Sarsden Stones, found in that neighbourhood; three of the largest have a fourth laid on them in the manner of the British cromlechs. It is most probable that this tumulus is British.
                
                    Near Uffington castle is also the rude figure of a horse which gives name to the hill, formed by cutting away the turf; this appears to be of great antiquity, and more likely to have been a work of the Britons than, as it has been usually supposed, a memorial for Alfred's victory over the Danes: the figure of a horse, a good deal resembling that above-mentioned, frequently occurs on the British coins. Just under the White-Horse hill there is a round hill called Dragon-hill, which Mr. Aubrey and others have supposed to be the tumulus of some British chief; it is not however by any means certain that it is an artificial mount. Many tumuli are dispersed on the Berkshire downs, especially in the way from Uffington to Lambourn, where a groupe of them has obtained the name of the Seven Barrows.
                
                    a and d. Uffington Castle and White Horse [Map].
                
                    d. Wayland's Smithy Long Barrow [Map].

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