Protest and apology : writing history for Henry II of England

This dissertation examines the politics of vernacular history writing during the reign of one of the most important kings of medieval England, Henry II (r. 1154-1189). It corrects previous scholarship by demonstrating that the Anglo-Norman aristocracy and clergy pioneered vernacular historiography in the early-twelfth century, that verse was the favored historiographical form for most of the century, and that Henry II was the first monarch to attempt to harness this new medium. Henry II co-opted the preferred genre of his nobles around 1160 in an unprecedented attempt to disseminate a vernacular history of his Norman ancestors that would enhance his authority, guarantee the survival of his dynasty, and insist upon the legitimacy of his policies. I argue that this history was intended as an integral part of a larger program to curb baronial and clerical power, restore royal authority, and ensure dynastic continuity after the bitter succession dispute of 1135 and the Anarchy (1135-1153).