Stowe MS 71

CHRONICLE OF THE BRUTE, In English. This copy is of the same class as those contained in Harl. 1337 and 6251; it does not agree entirely with them, but all three differ considerably from other versions of the Brute. The title in the first rubric is "Here bigynneth the Boke of the Cronyculez of the kinges of England." The prologue begins, "This boke tretith and telleth of all kynges and principall lordis that ever were in this lande." Then follows the history, beg. "Sumtyme in the nobyll londe of Surre." Breaks off incomplete in the account of the siege of Rouen, with the words "whiche was byfore the forest of leonez." The four chapters between Arthur and Conan are omitted, also the prophecies of Merlin concerning Henry III. and Edward II. [ cf. Sir F. Madden in Notes and Queries, 2nd Ser., vol. i. p. 1, 1856]; but that concerning Edward I. is inserted near the end of the reign of Edward II. Paper; ff. 87. xvth cent. Titles of chapters in red; spaces left for illuminated initials, but none of them filled up. The flyleaves (ff. 1, 2, 85, 86) are from a Latin service-book of the 13th cent., with the music. Belonged to Thomas Bromley (f. 1b, and with the date 1576, f. 2b) and Christopher Davye (f. 86), at the end of the 16th cent. and on a slip of paper (formerly used as a marker) pasted down on the last leaf (f. 87) are notes of the birth of Helen Bromley, 25 July, 1583, and Elizabeth Bromley, 5 Nov. 1584. Small Folio.

England General Chronicles and History: Chronicles of the Brute to 1419: 15th cent.: Imperf.

includes:

• ff. 1, 2, 85, 86 Music: Fragments of service-book, with musical notes: 13th cent.
• ff. 1, 2, 85, 86 Liturgies LATIN: Fragments of service-book, with musical notes: 13th cent.
• f. 87 Thomas Bromley: Notes of births in his family: 1583, 1584.