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Description: | Twice abbot of St Albans (1420-1440, 1451-1465), John de Whethamstede called his four-volume compendium of history and classical literature the 'Granarium', a play on his name ('Wheathamstead') and on the 'kernels' of knowledge arranged alphabetically within it. Accused of neglecting his job because he spent so much time in pursuit of his studies and funds to beautify the monastery, he based his massive compendium on classical authors and the 14th-century Italian writer Boccacio. He was the first English author to write a history in a humanist style, although he shaped the mythological content to a moralising Christian purpose.
Each section of the book begins with a beautifully painted first letter. This is from volume four, entitled 'On Illustrious Men' although it seems to include entries on places and poetry, also. This page refers to Homer's 'Iliad,' and includes entries on 'Labor' (toil, hardship), who in ancient Greek mythology was the child of Erebus (Darkness), and 'Laborintus' (labyrinth). | License: | http://www.bl.uk/services/copy/permission.html | Rights holder: | British Library | Source: | Collect Britain | Identifier: | http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/personal... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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