Jocelyn de Brakelond facts for kids

Jocelyn de Brakelond was an English monk who lived in the late 1100s. He wrote a special book called a chronicle. This book tells the story of the Bury St. Edmunds Abbey from 1173 to 1202. We only know about Jocelyn through his own writings.

Who Was Jocelyn de Brakelond?

Jocelyn was born in Bury St. Edmunds, England. He started training to become a monk in 1173. This was during the time of Abbot Hugo. Under Abbot Hugo, the abbey had money problems and the monks were not following rules well.

Life as a Monk

Jocelyn learned from a monk named Samson of Tottington. Samson was in charge of new monks at the time. Later, Samson became the abbot (the head monk) of the abbey in 1182. This was a big change for the abbey.

Writing About the Abbey

Jocelyn became Abbot Samson's personal helper, called a chaplain, very quickly after Samson became abbot. He spent six years working closely with Samson. Jocelyn wrote a lot about how Samson managed the abbey.

A Special Look at Abbot Samson

Jocelyn's writing gives us a very clear and personal picture of Abbot Samson. He admired Samson greatly. Jocelyn's writing style was simple and easy to understand. He wrote like someone who cared deeply about his abbey. His work is special because it shows in great detail how a monastic leader managed things. Samson was even seen as a role model in his time.

Why His Work Matters

Jocelyn's chronicle is a unique historical record. It helps us understand daily life and management in a medieval monastery. Historians learn a lot from his detailed descriptions.

His Books and Influence

Jocelyn's main work is called Chronica Jocelini de Brakelonda de Rebus Gestis Samsonis Abbatis Monasterii Sancti Edmundi. This means "The Chronicle of Jocelyn of Brakelond about the Deeds of Abbot Samson of the Monastery of St. Edmund."

This book was published in 1840. Later, it was translated into English. A famous writer named Thomas Carlyle used Jocelyn's chronicle for his own book, Past and Present. Carlyle's book compared life in the Middle Ages with modern times. He made Abbot Samson a hero in his story.

A newer translation of Jocelyn's chronicle was published in 1989. It helps more people read and learn from his important work today.