bibliography
NNDB
This is a beta version of NNDB
Search: for

Edward Hall

AKA Edward Halle

Born: c. 1495
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 1547
Cause of death: unspecified

Gender: Male
Religion: Anglican/Episcopalian
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Historian

Nationality: England
Executive summary: English chronicler

English chronicler and lawyer, was born about the end of the 15th century, being a son of John Hall of Northall, Shropshire. Educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, he became a barrister and afterwards filled the offices of common sergeant of the city of London and judge of the sheriff's court. He was also member of parliament for Bridgnorth. Hall's great work, The Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York, commonly called Hall's Chronicle, was first published in 1542. Another edition was issued by Richard Grafton in 1548, the year after Hall's death, and another in 1550; these include a continuation from 1532 compiled by Grafton from the author's notes. In 1809 an edition was published under the supervision of Sir Henry Ellis, and in 1904 the part dealing with the reign of Henry VIII was edited by C. Whibley. The Chronicle begins with the accession of Henry IV to the English throne in 1399; it follows the strife between the houses of Lancaster and York, and with Grafton's continuation carries the story down to the death of Henry VIII in 1547. Hall presents the policy of this king in a very favorable light and shows his own sympathy with the Protestants. For all kinds of ceremonial he has all a lawyer's respect, and his pages are often adorned and encumbered with the pageantry and material garniture of the story. The value of the Chronicle in its early stages is not great, but this increases when dealing with the reign of Henry VII and is very considerable for the reign of Henry VIII. Moreover, the work is not only valuable, it is attractive. To the historian it furnishes what is evidently the testimony of an eyewitness on several matters of importance which are neglected by other narrators; and to the student of literature it has the exceptional interest of being one of the prime sources of William Shakespeare's historical plays.

Father: John Hall

    High School: Eton College
    University: BA, King's College, Cambridge University (1518)

    UK Member of Parliament Bridgnorth

Author of books:
The Union of the Noble and Illustre Families of Lancastre and York (1542)


New!
NNDB MAPPER
Create a map starting with Edward Hall
Requires Flash 7+ and Javascript.

Do you know something we don't?
Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile



Copyright ©2019 Soylent Communications