Matthew Paris

Matthew Paris, also known as Matthew of Paris, was a distinguished English Benedictine monk and chronicler born around the year twelve hundred. He spent much of his life at St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire, where he honed his skills as a cartographer, hagiographer, heraldist, illuminator, painter, writer, historian, and scribe. His artistic talents were particularly evident in his illuminated manuscripts, which featured intricate drawings enhanced with watercolour washes.

Among his notable works is the 'Chronica Majora,' a significant medieval chronicle that serves as a vital source for understanding mid-thirteenth century Europe. Paris's narrative style is characterized by his verbose inclusion of personal opinions, as well as his reliance on various sources, including records, letters, and firsthand accounts from prominent figures such as King Henry III of England and Earl Richard of Cornwall.

While modern historians acknowledge Paris's biases, particularly his tendency to glorify Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II while criticizing the papacy and centralized church authority, his writings remain invaluable. In contrast, his 'Historia Anglorum' presents a starkly negative portrayal of Frederick, labeling him a 'tyrant' and condemning his actions as disgraceful.