Thomas Walsingham facts for kids

Thomas Walsingham was an English writer and monk who lived a long time ago, around the 1300s and early 1400s. He wrote many important history books, called chronicles. These books tell us a lot about the kings of England like Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. He also wrote about famous people like John Wycliff and Wat Tyler.

Walsingham was a Benedictine monk who spent most of his life at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire, England. At the abbey, he was in charge of the scriptorium. This was the room where monks copied books by hand. His writings include the Chronicon Angliæ, which criticized John of Gaunt. He also wrote the Ypodigma Neustriæ, which explained why Henry V invaded France. He gave this book to King Henry V in 1419.

He is not related to Francis Walsingham, who was a spymaster for Queen Elizabeth I much later, in the 1500s.

Thomas Walsingham's Life

Thomas Walsingham became a monk at St Albans Abbey. He spent almost his whole life there. For a short time, from 1394 to 1396, he was the leader (called a prior) of Wymondham Abbey in Norfolk.

At St Albans, he was the supervisor of the scriptorium, the room where books were copied. He was also a precentor, which meant he had a role in the abbey's music. He likely died around the year 1422.

Some historians believe he might have been from Norfolk, because of his name. It's also thought he might have studied at Oxford University. St Albans Abbey had strong connections with Oxford, sending its young monks there for training.

Before 1388, he put together a large reference book called Chronica Majora. This book was very well known at the time.

What Thomas Walsingham Wrote

Thomas Walsingham wrote several important history books. Here are some of his main works:

Lost and Early Works

• Chronica Majora: This was a big history book written before 1388. Sadly, it is now lost.
• Chronicon Angliæ: This book covers the years from 1328 to 1388. It was written by a monk at St Albans. This chronicle strongly criticized John of Gaunt, who was the king's father. Because of these strong opinions, the monks of St Albans tried to hide this book when Henry IV became king. They were worried about what might happen if it was widely read.

Histories of the Abbey and England

• Gesta Abbatum: Between 1390 and 1394, Walsingham wrote a history of the abbots of St Albans. This book started from the abbey's founding by King Offa. For the early parts, Walsingham used writings from older historians like Matthew Paris. The part of the book from 1308 onwards was his own original writing.
• The St Albans Chronicle: This book covers the years from 1272 to 1393. It was put together at St Albans Abbey. This chronicle is similar to the Chronicon Angliæ up to 1369. However, it often softened the negative comments about John of Gaunt that were in the Chronicon Angliæ.
• Historia Anglicana: This is also known as Historia Brevis. It covers the years from 1272 to 1422. Some experts believe Walsingham only wrote the part from 1377 to 1392. The later parts might have been written by someone else, or perhaps his writing was less detailed because he was older or away from St Albans for a time.

History for a King

• Ypodigma Neustriæ: This book was written for King Henry V. Its main goal was to give the king a summary of the history of the Dukes of Normandy. It also aimed to explain and justify why King Henry V invaded France. Walsingham finished dedicating this book to the king around 1419, after Normandy was conquered. For this work, he used many different historical sources.

Why Thomas Walsingham Was Important

Thomas Walsingham is a very important source for understanding the history of England. We learn a lot about the reigns of King Richard II, King Henry IV, and King Henry V from his writings.

He also provides much of what we know about the life of John Wycliff. Wycliff was a religious reformer whose ideas led to the Lollard movement. Walsingham did not like the Lollards, and his writings show his strong opinions against them.

Walsingham is also the main source for information about Wat Tyler's rebellion in 1381. This event, known as the Peasants' Revolt, was a big uprising. It was especially strong at St Albans, where the abbey was attacked. Many important documents were burned, and the monks were forced to give freedom to some of their workers.

Because Walsingham admired King Henry V (especially for opposing the Lollards), he wrote in great detail about the king's military campaigns in France.