Celebrating Hampshire Historians

Rudborne, Thomas

fl. 1447-1454

He belonged to the Benedictine monastery of St Swithun’s, Winchester, living in what is regarded as the earliest period of historical writing, though ‘the beginnings of the true antiquarian scholarship at Winchester’ has been set in the late 17th century (John Crook, 2003). Scholars are certain that his works include two manuscripts generally called Historia Minor and Liber Historialis, and there may be others. These are regarded as more useful for the life of the priory than the fabric of the cathedral (though he did leave records of the Saxon mortuary chests), which was poorly understood. It was at the time generally regarded as dating from the 7th century, a misunderstanding that lingered until the mid-19th century.

Thomas Rudborne is to be distinguished from an earlier namesake who became Bishop of St David’s.

Sources

• Alexander R., Rumble, ‘Thomas Rudbourne’, ODNB, 2004.

• John Crook, Early historians of Winchester Cathedral, PHFC, 2003, 58: 226-241

Portrait

Contribution to county’s history

Accounts of St Swithun’s Priory, Winchester, a century before its suppression.  

Relevant published works

• Historia Minor (British Library, Cotton Nero A XVII)

• Liber Historialis (All Souls College, Oxford, AS 114. Sixteenth-century copy by John of Exeter).

Critical Comments

Apparently, he preferred to cite previous authors than original documents. His work is of more value for its insights into St Swithun’s Priory as an institution, than a source for English history.

Other Comments

Much earlier, in the 12th century, St Swithun’s produced another notable chronicler, Richard of Devizes. It seems evident that history in the middle ages was only in any sense studied within monasteries.

Contributor

Barry Shurlock, 14 March 2024

Key Words

St Swithun’s Priory, Winchester cathedral. Mortuary chests, Winchester

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