Adam Murimuth facts for kids
Adam Murimuth (born 1274 or 1275, died 1347) was an important English church leader and chronicler. A chronicler is someone who writes down historical events in the order they happened. Adam Murimuth wrote a detailed history of his own time.
A Life of Learning and Law
Adam Murimuth was born in either 1274 or 1275. He went to the University of Oxford to study civil law. This type of law deals with the rights of people and how they interact with each other.
Between 1312 and 1318, Adam worked as a lawyer in the Pope's court, called the curia, in a city called Avignon. Important people like King Edward II of England and Archbishop Robert Winchelsey were among his clients. Because of his excellent legal work, he received important positions in the church. He became a canon at Hereford and St Paul's. He also became the precentor (a leader of church music) at Exeter Cathedral.
In 1331, Adam Murimuth decided to retire from his busy life. He moved to the countryside in Wraysbury, Buckinghamshire. There, he spent his time writing about the history of the period he lived in.
His Important Historical Writings
Adam Murimuth's main historical work is called "Chronicon, sive res gestae sui temporis quibus ipse interfuit, res Romanas et Gallicas Anglicanis intertexens, 1302-1343". This long title means "A Chronicle, or events of his own time in which he took part, weaving together Roman and French events with English ones, 1302-1343."
His most famous work is the Continuatio chronicarum, which means "Continuation of the Chronicles." He started writing this book around 1325. It covers events from the year 1303 all the way up to 1347, the year he passed away.
At first, his writings were brief. But around 1340, they became much more detailed. His chronicle is especially valuable for understanding the history of the wars between England and France during that time. Murimuth simply described events as they happened. He also included many important documents in the later parts of his book.
After Adam Murimuth died, another writer continued his Continuatio up to the year 1380. This means his work provides a long and important record of history.
