Originally published in 1864–9, and still a standard reference work, this five-volume collection contains editions of ten key source texts for medieval English history, focusing mainly on the thirteenth century. Compiled in monasteries over many years, they record local, national and international events in chronological order, sometimes surprisingly briefly and at other times in great detail. The coverage includes aristocratic marriages and deaths, local power struggles, astronomical observations, natural disasters, crimes, 'diabolick appearances' and excommunications, appointments and acquisitions. The editor, Henry Richards Luard (1825–91), an influential Cambridge clergyman and University Administrator, provided introductions to the Latin texts and their manuscripts, and sidenotes in English indicating their content. Volume 1 contains the annals of Margan, Tewkesbury and Burton-on-Trent; Volume 2, Winchester and Waverley, Volume 3, Dunstable and Bermondsey, Volume 4, Osney and Worcester, and Volume 5, the index and a glossary.