During the medieval period the monastery of St Albans had a national reputation for the quality of its chroniclers. From the twelfth until the fifteenth century a series of monks produced histories of the events affecting the church (and in particular the Abbey of St Albans and its holdings) and state. No other monastery produced histories for as long as St Albans, and many of its chroniclers, who included Roger of Wendover, Matthew Paris, William Rishanger, Thomas Walsingham and John of Wheathampstead, came to be celebrated as amongst the finest in the country.
This exhibition features some of the most significant works by St Albans Chroniclers. Records of significant events, caricatures of kings and even an accurate sketch of an elephant that lived in the Tower of London in the 13th century can all be seen. Also included in the exhibition are the materials used to make medieval manuscripts – visitors can watch the films to learn about the complicated processes and exotic-sounding materials that were used to create these works of art.
This exhibition closes on 31 October 2021.
Please visit the museum website for further details.
Australian Early Medieval Association Gazette 