Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 3 MS A

This work serves as a crucial resource for understanding Anglo-Saxon history, featuring a collaborative edition of the Chronicle's manuscripts, with MS A being the oldest and most authoritative copy.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 3 MS A serves as a crucial resource for understanding the history of Anglo-Saxon England. This chronicle provides an almost contemporary account of events spanning roughly five centuries, making it an indispensable tool for historians studying this period. The project aims to compile a comprehensive edition that includes the seven foundational manuscripts along with their contemporary continuations and supplementary materials that illuminate the Chronicle's context and significance.

The nature of the Chronicle has been a subject of extensive debate among scholars, particularly regarding its relationship to official historical narratives and its overall historical importance. This edition seeks to create a standardized version that can serve as a foundation for future research, allowing historians to engage with the text in a more organized manner. By presenting a uniform edition, the project aims to enhance the understanding of the Chronicle and its role in documenting Anglo-Saxon history.

Among the manuscripts, MS A (CCCC MS 173) stands out as the oldest surviving copy of the Chronicle. It is notable not only for its age but also for its complexity, having evolved during the tenth century. Its historical significance is underscored by the authority it commands due to its early origins. This edition will enable readers and researchers to appreciate the intricacies of the Chronicle and its contribution to the historical narrative of Anglo-Saxon England.