The History of English Affairs. Translated by Joseph Stevenson. Illustrated

History of English Affairs (Historia Rerum Anglicarum) by William of Newburgh is a vital chronicle of 12th-century England, written by one of the most perceptive and reliable historians of the medieval period. Composed between approximately 1196 and 1198, this historical narrative offers a detailed and often sharply analytical account of English events from the Norman Conquest in 1066 through the reign of King Richard I.A canon of Newburgh Priory in Yorkshire, William combines monastic learning with a critical eye, distinguishing himself from many of his contemporaries by his insistence on factual accuracy and his skepticism toward popular myths and legends. His work covers political developments, royal successions, church affairs, and military campaigns, often infused with moral and theological reflection.Of particular interest are William’s observations on the reigns of Henry I, King Stephen, Henry II, and Richard the Lionheart, as well as his commentary on the civil wars, ecclesiastical controversies, and the shifting nature of royal authority.Clear in prose and rich in insight, History of English Affairs remains an indispensable source for scholars of medieval England and a compelling read for anyone interested in the foundations of English historical writing.