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Writing History for the King is at once a reassessment of the reign of Henry II of England (1133-1189) and an original contribution to our understanding of the rise of vernacular historiography in the high Middle Ages. Charity Urbanski focuses on two dynastic histories commissioned by Henry: Wace's Roman de Rou (c. 1160-1174) and Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Chronique des ducs de Normandie (c. 1174-1189). In both cases, Henry adopted the new genre of vernacular historical writing in Old French verse in an effort to disseminate a royalist version of the past that would help secure a grip on power for himself and his children. Wace was the first to be commissioned, but in 1174 the king abruptly fired him, turning the task over to Benoît de Sainte-Maure. Urbanski examines these histories as part of a single enterprise intended to cement the king's authority by enhancing the prestige of Henry II's dynasty. In a close reading of Wace's Rou, she shows that it presented a less than flattering picture of Henry's predecessors, in effect challenging his policies and casting a shadow over the legitimacy of his rule. Benoît de Sainte-Maure's Chronique, in contrast, mounted a staunchly royalist defense of Anglo-Norman kingship. Urbanski reads both works in the context of Henry's reign, arguing that as part of his drive to curb baronial power he sought a history that would memorialize his dynasty and solidify its claim to England and Normandy.

History --- Henry --- Normandy, Dukes of. --- Wace, --- Benoît, --- Great Britain --- Normandy (France) --- Historiography.

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Best known for his two chronicles, the Roman de Brut and the Roman de Rou , Wace, one of the great pioneers of twelfth-century French writing, is also the author of three hagiographical works: the Conception Nostre Dame and the Lives of St Margaret and St Nicholas. The Conception is the first vernacular work to focus on the life of the Virgin Mary. Emphasising Margaret's concern for women in labour, the Margaret seemingly contributed to the saint's broad popularity. The Nicholas , with its many miracles involving children, equally played a key role in popularising its protagonist's cult. The present volume brings these works together for the first time and provides the original texts, the first translations into English, notes and substantial introductions.

Wace, --- POETRY / Contental European --- Wace, Robert, --- Wacius, Robert, --- Mary, --- Nicholas, --- Margaret, --- Antioch, Margaret of, --- Antiochia, Margherita d', --- Antiochia, Marina d', --- Margareta, --- Margarita, --- Margherita, --- Margriata, --- Marguerite, --- Marherete, --- Marina, --- Martyr of Antioch --- Pelagia, --- Mykola Chudotvoret︠s︡ʹ, --- Mykolaĭ Chudotvoret︠s︡ʹ, --- Niccolò, --- Nicola, --- Nicolà, --- Nicolás, --- Nicolaus, --- Nikola, --- Nikolaĭ Mirlikiĭskiĭ, --- Николай Мирликийски, --- Никола Мирликийски, --- Nikola Mirlikiĭski, --- Nikolaĭ Chudotvoret︠s︡, --- Nikolaĭ, --- Nikolaos, --- Nikolaus, --- Микола Чудотворець, --- ʻAdhrāʼ --- Arogyamata --- Ārōkkiyamāta --- Birhen ng mga Dukha --- Blessed Lady --- Blessed Mother --- Blessed Virgin Mary, --- Hagnē Theotokos --- Madonna, The --- Mama Mary --- Mare de Déu --- Maria, --- Mariam Astuatsatsin --- Marie, --- Marie Théotokos --- Marii︠a︡, --- Maryam, --- Maryja, --- Meryem Ana --- Miryam, --- Mother of God --- Muíre, --- Nossa Senhora --- Our Lady --- Our Lady of Good Health --- Our Lady of Sorrows --- Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament --- Qiddīsah Maryam --- Theotokos --- Vierge Marie, --- Virgen María --- Virgin Mary, --- Virgin of the Poor --- Ynang Maria --- مريم --- مريم العذراء --- 성모마리아 --- Our Lady of Emmitsburg --- Majka Isusova --- Mariam Astuatsatsin, --- Meryem Ana, --- Virgen María, --- Ynang Maria, --- Margarita seu Marina m. Antiochiae Pisidiae --- Nicolaus ep. Myrensis --- Maria Deipara --- Conceptio