Anglo-Saxon << ANG gloh SAK suhn, >> Chronicle is the first great work of English prose and the most important source for English history from about 800 to 1066. No other European land has a history in its own language as old as the Chronicle.
The Chronicle was begun as part of a cultural renewal by King Alfred the Great following destructive raids by Danish invaders. The first part of the Chronicle, dealing with events up to 891, was adapted from earlier English historical sources, now lost. After about 892, a number of writers contributed to the Chronicle in copies circulated among several English cathedrals.
The Chronicle consists of short yearly descriptions of major events, especially warfare, and the activities of kings and bishops. Many entries consist of only one line. The longest entry runs more than 100 lines and deals with the death of William the Conqueror in 1087. Many years have no entries. The earliest important entry in the Chronicle refers to events in A.D. 449. The final one was made in 1154.
