The Founders' Book. A Medieval History of Tewkesbury Abbey. A Facsimile of Oxford, Bodleian Library MS Top. Glouc. d. 2 by Luxford, Julian (editor) - 2021

Donington: Shaun Tyas, 2021. Book. Fine. Hardcover. First Edition. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A fine new copy bound in real cloth and sewn in sections (268 x 206 mm); 224 pages, index. The Founders' Book records the history of Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire, from the transfer of abbey status from Cranborne to Tewkesbury by Robert Fitzhamon in 1102 to the time of the book's compilation in the late fifteenth century. The Chronicle also records some details of Tewkesbury's earlier history from Anglo-Saxon times, such as details of the eighth-century Mercian founders, here called 'Oddo and Doddo', and gifts from the West Saxon king, Beorhtric (786-802). This magnificent full-size colour facsimile of the manuscript in the Bodleian Library occupies pages 137 to 209 of the book, preceded by an introduction by the editor Julian Luxford, an essay on the heraldry in the manuscript by Adrian Ailes, and a full edition of the Latin text with facing English translation by Susan Powell. The book also includes, with Latin text and translation, an account of the aftermath of the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 during the Wars of the Roses, and an index. The book marks the 900th anniversary of the consecration of the new Abbey in 1121 and the 550th anniversary of the battle..