Matthew Paris
Matthew Paris was an English Benedictine monk whose extensive and detailed chronicles of events in the 13th century form one of the most significant primary sources in medieval studies.
Although Paris wrote voluminously, very little of his works shed any light on his own life. We do know he was a monk at St. Albans and that he occasionally visited the royal courts. In 1248 he went to Norway to reform the Benedictine Monastery of St. Benet Holm; on his journey he was entrusted with letters for King Haakon IV, with whom he formed a friendship. Paris was also personally acquainted with King Henry III of England and Richard, Earl of Cornwall. He spent most of his life at St. Albans, but he put his acquaintance with persons of import and his few trips outside the monastery to good use in acquiring news to include in his chronicles.
Among Paris's works are the Chronica majora ("Major Chronicles"), the Historia Anglorum ("History of the English") and the Gesta abbatum monasterii Sancti Albani (“Deeds of the Abbots of the Monastery of St. Albans”). He also wrote biographies of historical figures and saints, including Saint Alban, Edward the Confessor and Thomas Becket.
Matthew Paris was also something of an artist, and is believed to have illustrated his manuscripts himself.
Important Dates
Becomes a monk at St. Albans: Jan. 21, 1217
Died: 1259
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In Print
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The Art of Matthew Paris in the Chronica Majora
by Suzanne LewisThe Illustrated Chronicles of Matthew Paris: Observations of Thirteenth-Century Life
by Matthew Paris; edited by Richard VaughanEnglish History, from the Year Twelve Hundred Thirty-Five to Twelve Hundred Seventy-Three
by Matthew Paris; edited by J. A. Giles
Related Resources
Medieval Britain
Sites that focus on general British medieval history, people, places, events, documents, the Norman Conquest, the Wars of the Roses, and the search for a historical King Arthur.Monasticism
Monastic life, rules, orders and contributions to medieval culture.Hagiography
Indices, primary sources, and general sites focusing on the study of Saints' lives.
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