Royal MS 15 E IV, ff 175r-350v

The first volume of the Recueil des croniques et anciennes istoires de la Grant Bretaigne by Jean de Wavrin, Seigneur de Forestel, contains a chronicle of British history from its mythical origins up to the reign of Edward II. It has been bound in two separate parts. Part II (ff. 175-350) continues from the battle between Constantin and Mordred's sons through the reign of Cadwallader, the Anglo Saxon era and the Norman conquest to Edward II's reign. Incipit, 'assavoir londres premierement qui fut prinse et tous les trahitres qui dedens estoient mis a destruction mesmement laisne filz mordreth qui muchie si stoit en ung couvent de religie[eux]...' (f. 175r); explicit, 'la quelle guerre qui sensieut entre france et angleterre comme il sera touchie ou second voulume. Explicit.'(f. 350r-v).

Decoration:

12 large miniatures in colours and gold, with full foliate borders, and initials in colours and gold, at the beginning of major text divisions (ff.180r, 187r, 192r, 213v, 223r, 231v, 236r, 246r, 257v, 287r, 295v, 316v). Each miniature is marked by the same letter of the alphabet as the first page of a quire in which it is situated. Initials in gold on blue and rose grounds with penwork decoration on white. Line-fillers in blue and rose with penwork decoration in white.

f. 180r, The defeat of Cadwallus by Edwin;

f. 187r, Deaths from famine during the civil war in the reign of Cadwallader;

f. 192r, The landing of Cadwallader's sons, Morth and Mith in Gaul;

f. 213v, The arrival of Alfred in Southampton, where he is received by the traitor, Godwin;

f. 223r, Normans praying to the relics of St Valery: burning of their ships;

f. 231v, Saxon stockade at the battle of Hastings;

f. 236r, Coronation of William I;

f. 246r, Coronation of Henry I;

f. 257v, Coronation procession of Richard I;

f. 287r, Edward I returning from Gascony;

f. 295v, The marriage between Edward II and Isabella, daughter of Philippe IV of France;

f. 316v, Queen Isabella and her army with the quartering of the body of Hugh le Despenser in the background.