{"product_id":"writing-history-for-the-king-9780801451317","title":"Writing History for the King","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Charity L. Urbanski\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Cornell University Press\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Cornell University Press\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Europe - Medieval\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWriting History for the King\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eRoman de Rou\u003c\/i\u003e (c. 1160-1174) and Beno�t de Sainte-Maure's \u003ci\u003eChronique des ducs de Normandie\u003c\/i\u003e (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 Beno�t 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 \u003ci\u003eRou\u003c\/i\u003e, 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. Beno�t de Sainte-Maure's \u003ci\u003eChronique\u003c\/i\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atlantic Books","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":46502423101591,"sku":"9780801451317","price":9886.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9780801451317.webp?v=1769198407","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/writing-history-for-the-king-9780801451317","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}