Anglo-Saxon Chronicle facts for kids
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a special set of books from a long time ago. They are written in Old English, which is an early form of the English language. These books tell the history of the Anglo-Saxons in England, year by year. Think of them like a very old diary for a whole country!
These historical records were first started in the late 800s. This was probably in a part of England called Wessex, during the time of Alfred the Great, a famous king. Many copies were made by hand and sent to different monasteries (places where monks lived and worked) across England. Each monastery then updated its own copy, adding new events as they happened. Some copies were still being updated as late as the year 1154!
Contents
What is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle?
Nine copies of the Chronicle still exist today, either in full or in parts. However, none of them are the very first original version. The oldest copy seems to have been started around the end of King Alfred's rule. The newest copy was written at Peterborough Abbey after a big fire there in 1116.
Almost all the information in the Chronicle is written as "annals." This means events are listed year by year. The earliest events recorded go all the way back to 60 BC! After that, the books continue with history up to the year they were written. Then, they start adding new events as they happen, like a live news report from the past. All these different handwritten books together are known as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Why is it Important?
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is super important for understanding early English history. It's the single most valuable historical source for the time between the end of Roman rule in Britain and the years after the Norman Conquest. A lot of the information found in the Chronicle isn't written down anywhere else!
Besides history, these old books are also very important for learning about the English language. For example, the later Peterborough Chronicle is one of the oldest examples of Middle English. This is the language that developed after Old English.
Where are the Chronicles Now?
Today, seven of the nine surviving copies and pieces of the Chronicle are kept safe in the British Library in London. The other two are in the Bodleian Library at Oxford University and the Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
Images for kids
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A page from the Winchester, or Parker, Chronicle, showing the family tree at the beginning.
See also
In Spanish: Crónica anglosajona para niños
