Manuscript, on paper, in two secretary hands. The Roll of Battle Abbey, in English, on the first two pages, is followed by a chronicle of the kings of Britain from Noah to Edward IV. The text, in Latin, emphasizes the descent of the early kings from Brutus; the account of the life and reign of King Arthur contains details from Geoffrey of Monmouth's account as well as from the Mabinogion and from Nennius's Historia. The layout of the volume reflects the origin of the text in roll format; the descent of the kings and noble families after Edward I are outlined in the genealogical diagrams but without accompanying narrative text
Description:
Almost entirely In Latin; Roll of Battle Abbey in English., Auction catalog description pasted onto front pastedown, with annotation concerning purchase at Sir Edward Coates' sale, Sotheby's July 9, 1923., Bookplate: Fairfax of Cameron armorial bookplate., Ownership inscription of Charles Fairfax on front flyleaf., Layout: double columns of 48 lines, incorporating genealogical charts., Script: secretary script in two different hands., Decoration: in the Chronicle, names in genealogical charts in roundels with lines of descent in various colors; pen and ink illustrations of coats of arms and four drawings of cities, in color., and Binding: seventeenth-century full calf, gilt ornament on covers, with the initials C. and F. in blind; remains of green silk ties.
