The last book is a day by day account of Hugh's final year by the chaplain who was with him: his dealings with John at the start of the reign, his journey to France and the Grande Chartreuse in 1200, his illness in London, his death at the Old Temple on 16 November 1200 and the funeral at Lincoln on 23 November attended by King John, William the Lion of Scotland, three archbishops and a crowd of bishops and earls. Adam also preserves Hugh's blunt exchanges with Richard and John, and the bishop's view of the Lincoln diocese, its Jews and its clergy. Hagiography, but written from notes and names its witnesses.
About this source
- Title
- Magna Vita Sancti Hugonis
- Author
- Adam of Eynsham
- Author's dates
- active 1196 to 1232; Hugh's chaplain, later abbot of Eynsham
- Written
- about 1210 to 1215
- Language
- Latin
- Covers
- about 1140 to 1200, with the translation of 1220 added
- Kind
- Saint's life
The only complete English translation is Douie and Farmer, under copyright. Gerald of Wales's shorter Life of Hugh (Rolls Series 21 vol. 7) is an independent witness to the funeral.
Where to read it
Editions
Translations
- D. L. Douie and H. Farmer (ed. and trans.), Magna Vita Sancti Hugonis, 2 vols (1961 to 1962; reissued 1985), English, not free (not freely online)