The History of Westminster Abbey

A critical edition of John Flete's 15th-century Latin manuscript on the history of Westminster Abbey, published in 1909 and reissued in 2011, offers a unique window into medieval perceptions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. This work, edited by J. Armitage Robinson, provides transcriptions of charters and documents alongside Flete's narrative, which spans from legendary origins (dating to 184 CE) to his own time, including detailed descriptions of the abbey's appearance and its role in national ceremonies. Robinson's introduction assesses the manuscript's reliability, sources, and chronology, while English side-notes abstract the content without translating it. The edition preserves Flete's perspective, contributing to our understanding of Westminster Abbey's historical significance as both a religious and political institution.

Flete, J. (2011). The History of Westminster Abbey (J. A. Robinson, Ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511975554