Author Description

The thirteenth-century manuscript The Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles is the earliest surviving piece of historical documentation from the Isle of Man and a uniquely important source describing the rise and fall of the medieval Kingdom of Man and the Isles between about 1016 and 1316. The text is the natural starting point for anyone interested in the history of the region, its Norse-Gaelic ruling dynasty and the kingdom's relationship with other powers in the British Isles. This completely new translation of the Chronicles is accompanied by a historical commentary explaining the complex array of people, places and events that crowd the often-turbulent medieval history of this region. Newly translated extracts from other contemporary documents such as the Saga of King Hakon of Norway further contextualise the social, political and religious history of the kingdom and provide useful background for the Chronicles year-by-year account. This user-friendly translation, with its wealth of supporting commentary and documentation, will be a vital resource for scholars and students as well as a fascinating read for enthusiasts.