The Chronicle of Jocelin of Brakelond : A Picture Of Monastic Life In The Days Of Abbot Samson Newly Editied By Sir Ernest Clarke. [ The King's Classics ].

London: Alexander Moring, The Dela More Press, 298 Regent Street, W., 1903 .. First edition. 12mo. 15.8cm x 12cm x 2.5cm (6" x 5" x 1"), pp.44/285. Original white papered spine (now soiled) with original paper label (browned), over grey-blue boards. Top edge gilt, others untrimmed . Previous owners details to verso of front board. Newspaper cuttings laid down to endpapers, relating to Joceline and Gerbestone Manor. Half title and crest for "The King's Classics", followed by a photo frontispiece: "The Seal Of Abbot Samson", and printed title. Browning to endpapers, otherwise clean text throughout. A well preserved book. ** Publicity flyer reads: "This account, written by the English chronicler Jocelin of Brakelond offers invaluable insights into Monastic life in the Middle Ages. A study of St. Edmund�s Abbey covering the years 1173-1202, the work is remarkable for the vivid scenes and characters it presents, particularly that of the abbot Samson. The volume also includes a detailed chronology of the Abbey, which is an invaluable aid in understanding its wider historical context. Historians will welcome the reissuing of this sought-after text." *** Jocelin de Brakelond: An English chronicler, of the late twelfth century. He was the monk of Bury St. Edmund's whose history of the abbey under the feeble Abbot Hugh and the energetic Abbot Sampson furnished Carlyle with the material for the powerful and sympathetic second book of "Past and Present". When Jocelin entered the abbey in 1173 Sampson was his novice-master and when nine years later Sampson became abbot he chose Jocelin as his chaplain and constant companion. He filled this office from 1182 to 1188. Ten years later he was guest-master and in 1212 he was almoner. There is no record of his death. He is Iast mentioned on 24 April 1215 when Abbot Hugh II consulted him as to the abbey manors. His chronicle covers the history of the abbey from 1173 to 1202 and includes the story of Henry of Essex. It was first edited for the Camden Society by J. G. Rokewood in 1843, this edition was used by Carlyle. It has been re-edited by Thomas Arnold in the "Memorials of St. Edmund's Abbey", Rolls Series, 1890. His book on St. Robert, the boy alleged to have been murdered by Jews, is not extant. Jocelin's work is marked by shrewd observation and kindly humour. Carlyle wrote of him: "The man is of patient, peaceable, loving, clear-smiling nature; open for this and that. A wise simplicity is in him; much natural sense; a veracity that goes deeper than words." He is described by a brother monk as a man "eximiae religionis, potens sermone et opere."