# Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

> set of related medieval English chronicles

**Wikidata**: [Q212746](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212746)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Saxon_Chronicle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/anglo-saxon-chronicle

## Summary
The **Anglo-Saxon Chronicle** is a set of related medieval English chronicles that document the history of England from the 5th century through the 12th century. It is one of the most significant sources for early English history, originally compiled in the late 9th century. The chronicles were maintained by various monastic centers and provide a unique window into the events of the Anglo-Saxon period.

## Key Facts
- The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a set of related medieval English chronicles.
- It was originally compiled around the late 9th century, with dates often cited as 892 or 800 CE.
- It is classified as a literary work and a historical chronicle.
- It contains multiple versions (known as "recensions") produced in different monastic centers.
- It is written in Old English and provides a continuous record of events from the early medieval period.
- The work is categorized under the following classes:
  - literary work [class]: a written work read for enjoyment or edification.
  - chronicle [Thing]: a historical account of facts and events arranged in chronological order.
- The term "inception" is associated with the years 892 and 800, though the exact date remains debated.
- The work has 59 sitelinks according to Wikidata.
- It is listed on Wikipedia under the title *Anglo-Saxon Chronicle*.
- It is considered a primary source for the study of early English history.

## FAQs
### What is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a set of related medieval English chronicles that were compiled beginning in the late 9th century. It provides a continuous historical narrative of events in England, primarily written in Old English. The chronicles were likely maintained by multiple monastic scribes and are now key sources for understanding early English history.

### What kind of work is it?
It is both a literary work and a chronicle. As a literary work, it is a written record intended for historical documentation. As a chronicle, it arranges historical facts and events in chronological order, making it a valuable source for historical research.

### When was it created?
The chronicles were initiated around 892 CE, though some sources suggest an earlier possible date of 800 CE. These dates are based on the earliest entries in the chronicle manuscripts.

### What makes it different from other historical works?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is unique in that it is not a single work but a collection of related chronicles, each with its own version or "recension" from different monastic centers. This multi-version structure allows for regional perspectives and editorial independence.

### What is its significance in historical research?
The chronicle is one of the most important sources for the early medieval history of England. It provides a continuous narrative of events from the 5th to the 12th century, making it essential for understanding the political, social, and religious history of the time.

### What are its classifications?
It is both a literary work and a chronicle. As a literary work, it is a written document intended for edification. As a chronicle, it arranges historical events in chronological order, which is useful for historical and linguistic studies.

## Why It Matters
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a foundational historical text for understanding early England. It offers a detailed, continuous account of events from the 5th to the 12th centuries, making it a critical source for historians studying the Anglo-Saxon and early Norman periods. Its multi-version structure, with different monastic centers contributing unique perspectives, provides a more complete picture of the time. The chronicle also preserves the earliest continuous use of Old English, offering linguistic insights into the development of the English language. Its influence extends to modern historical and literary studies, as it provides a rare, detailed record of political, military, and religious events in early England. It also plays a key role in shaping the national narrative of English history.

## Notable For
- Being one of the earliest continuous historical records in the English language.
- Containing multiple independently maintained versions, offering regional and varied perspectives.
- Being written primarily in Old English, contributing to the study of early English literature and language.
- Its role in documenting the history of England from the 5th to the 12th century.
- Its use as a primary source in historical and linguistic research.
- Its unique structure as a set of related chronicles rather than a single unified text.

## Body

### History
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was originally compiled in the late 9th century, with possible dates of +0892-00-00T00:00:00Z or +0800-00-00T00:00:00Z. It is a set of related medieval English chronicles, each version believed to have been maintained by different monastic centers. These chronicles were not centrally produced but were independently maintained, allowing for a diversity of regional perspectives. The work is considered both a literary work and a chronicle, with the latter defined as a historical account of facts and events arranged in chronological order.

### Content and Structure
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is composed of multiple versions or "recensions" of the chronicle, each representing a different regional or institutional perspective. These versions were likely maintained by different monastic scribes, and some include unique entries or variations in chronology. The work is written primarily in Old English, and provides a continuous historical narrative from the 5th to the 12th century. It is considered one of the most important sources for early English history due to its detailed and continuous record.

### Classifications
The work is classified as both a literary work and a chronicle. As a literary work, it is a written document read for enjoyment or edification. As a chronicle, it is a historical account of facts and events arranged in chronological order. The work has 59 sitelinks on Wikidata, indicating its significance in historical and linguistic studies.

### Significance
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is notable for its role in documenting the history of early England. It is one of the earliest continuous historical records in the English language, and provides a unique window into the political, social, and religious history of the time. The work is a foundational text in the study of early English history and is used as a primary source in historical and linguistic research. Its multi-version structure allows for a more complete picture of the period, and its use of Old English contributes to the study of the development of the English language.

### Editions and Related Works
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle exists in multiple versions, often called "recensions", each with its own regional or institutional perspective. These versions were likely maintained by different monastic scribes. The work is one of the most significant sources for early English history, and its multi-version structure allows for a diversity of perspectives. Each version is a distinct manuscript tradition, and some include unique entries or variations in chronology.

### Cultural and Historical Impact
The Chronicle plays a foundational role in the documentation of early English history. It is one of the earliest continuous historical records in the English language, and provides a unique window into the political, social, and religious history of the time. The work is used as a primary source in historical and linguistic research, and its entries are critical to understanding the development of the English language and early English history. Its multi-version structure allows for a more complete picture of the period, and its use of Old English contributes to the study of the development of the English language.

### See Also
- literary work [class]: a written work read for enjoyment or edification.
- chronicle [Thing]: a historical account of facts and events arranged in chronological order.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 173: The Parker Chronicle.. Parker Library on the Web](https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/wp146tq7625)
4. [Chronicle of England. Additions in French ('The Peterborough Chronicle', E text).. Digital Bodleian](https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/inquire/p/6272311c-058d-417a-8e21-05e463b4f1f9)
5. [Anglo Saxon Chronicle manuscript B](https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/anglo-saxon-chronicle-manuscript-b)
6. [Anglo Saxon Chronicle manuscript C](https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/anglo-saxon-chronicle-manuscript-c)
7. [Anglo Saxon Chronicle manuscript D](https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/anglo-saxon-chronicle-manuscript-d)
8. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Kronika-anglosaska;3927588.html)