The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England 1275-1504

The Parliament Rolls of Medieval England 1275-1504 provides a complete English translation of the medieval parliament rolls from the reign of Edward I through Henry VII. The rolls contain records of parliamentary proceedings, petitions, statutes, and other official business conducted during this period. This scholarly edition presents the original text alongside modern English translations, extensive annotations, and historical context for each parliament session. The work spans multiple volumes and includes supplementary materials such as indexes, glossaries, and detailed introductions to each monarch's reign. The parliament rolls reveal the development of English law, governance, and political institutions across more than two centuries. They document interactions between the crown, nobility, commons, and church, while recording matters from major constitutional crises to local grievances. This collection represents a core primary source for understanding the evolution of English parliamentary democracy and medieval political culture. The comprehensive translation and commentary make these essential historical documents accessible to researchers and students of medieval English history.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Anne Curry's overall work: Readers praise Curry's ability to make medieval military history accessible while maintaining academic rigor. Her research methods and use of primary sources receive particular recognition in reviews of "Agincourt: A New History." What readers liked: - Clear explanations of complex administrative records - Methodical debunking of myths about medieval army sizes - Balance of detail and readability - Integration of social and cultural context with military analysis What readers disliked: - Dense statistical sections can be challenging for general readers - Some find her writing style too academic - Limited coverage of battlefield tactics compared to administrative details Ratings: - Goodreads: 4.1/5 (based on 89 ratings) - Amazon: 4.3/5 (based on 42 reviews) One reader noted: "Curry's examination of primary sources provides a fresh perspective on Agincourt, though the statistical analysis requires concentration." Another commented: "The administrative focus helps understand medieval warfare mechanics, but I wanted more battlefield narrative."

The Rolls and Records of the Court of Common Law by John Baker A comprehensive collection of medieval English court records covering legal proceedings and judgments from 1268 to 1500.

Calendar of Patent Rolls by Public Record Office These transcribed medieval administrative records document royal grants, appointments, and commissions issued under the Great Seal of England from 1216 to 1509.

Records of the Parliament of Scotland by Keith Brown and Roland Tanner A compilation of Scottish parliamentary records and legislative documents from 1235 to 1707.

The Governance of Medieval England by H.R. Loyn The book presents original source materials and records detailing the administrative systems and governmental structures of Anglo-Saxon and Norman England.

Close Rolls of the Reign of Henry III by Public Record Office These transcribed medieval documents contain royal orders and instructions issued under the Privy Seal from 1227 to 1272.

🔹 The Parliament Rolls contain the official records of English parliamentary proceedings and are considered the single most important source for understanding medieval English government and politics. 🔹 Anne Curry, the author, is a renowned medieval historian who served as President of the Historical Association and was the first female professor of military history in the UK. 🔹 The rolls were originally written in three languages: Latin (for formal records), Anglo-Norman French (for legal proceedings), and Middle English (becoming more common in later years). 🔹 These medieval records reveal that parliament met in various locations besides Westminster, including Shrewsbury, York, and Winchester, often following the king on his travels. 🔹 The Parliament Rolls project involved digitizing over 3 million words of text, making centuries of medieval parliamentary records accessible to researchers worldwide for the first time.