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JEAN DE WAVRIN
Jean de Wavrin pictured on his knees presenting his work to Edward IV |
- Jean de Waurin or Wavrin (1400-1474) was a medieval French chronicler and compiler
as well as a soldier and politician.
- In the last 25 years of his life Wavrin compiled his multi-volume chronicle of England from its legendary beginnings to 1471.
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As a historian, he put together the first chronicle
intended as a complete history of England, very
extensive but largely undigested and uncritical. Written in French, in its second version it extends from 688 to 1471, though the added later period covering the Wars of the Roses shows a strong bias towards Burgundy's Yorkist allies.
(Wikipedia)
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Edward IV and Waurin |
- Interestingly de Waurin knew Antony Woodville, Elizabeth Woodville’s brother, as well as the Earl of Warwick,
the Kingmaker.
- Woodville fancied himself as a patron of the arts and its perhaps not surprising that de Waurin’s lavishly illustrated chronicles contain images of Edward IV’s marriage to Elizabeth Woodville and also an image of himself presenting his book to Edward IV.
- Edward IV owned a magnificent copy of the chronicle and two luxurious manuscripts to be displayed in the British Library’s Royal Manuscripts exhibition are part of his set.
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De Waurin’s chronicle which covers English history drawing on earlier chronicles explores the reigns of Edward II and Richard II amongst others. He finishes in 1471 when Edward
IV and his line looked to be secure on the throne.
(thehistoryjar.com)
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Brother, though I be youngest, give me leave.
Shakespeare, Henry VI
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