John Hardyng, Chronicle

One of a handful of texts written in the twilight years of Henry VI's reign, John Hardyng's first Chronicle, written in 18,782 lines of verse and seven folios of prose, offers a compelling insight into the tastes, hopes, and anxieties of a late fifteenth century gentleman who witnessed -- and all too often participated in -- each of the key events that defined his era. Completed in 1457, Hardyng's initial Chronicle has previously been largely overlooked in comparison to the more condensed second version, written to promote Richard, Duke of York's claim to the throne. Hardyng's interest in Britain's past is typical of the gentry's enthusiasm for historical works, while his concern with war and duty reflects the importance of such matters to men of his rank.