Chronicle of Bek

Bek of Castleford, Thomas | 14th century
Thomas Bek of Castleford, a Yorkshireman, is known for his contribution to medieval literature in the form of a verse chronicle of British, Scottish, and English history. This chronicle, believed to have been composed around 1327, provides a historical account, and approximately 39,674 lines of this work have survived in a single manuscript. Here are some key points regarding Thomas Bek’s chronicle:
Scope of the Chronicle Bek’s chronicle covers British, Scottish and English history. It is a comprehensive historical account, and while the later part of the chronicle does not closely follow any known source, the section dealing with the Arthurian narrative is influenced by Geoffrey of Monmouth, with additional details borrowed from other sources like Wace, Robert of Gloucester, Pierre de Langtoft, and others.
Interest in Scotland and York The chronicle reflects the author’s particular interest in Scotland and York. This regional focus is notable throughout the text, suggesting a connection between the historical events described and the author’s local context and interests.
Content The edited portion of the chronicle covers the period from the coronation of Arthur to the death of Cadwallader. This indicates that the Arthurian legend, drawing from Geoffrey of Monmouth and other sources, is a significant part of Bek’s historical narrative.