Alberic of Trois-Fontaines’ Genealogies

Abstract

Alberic of Trois-Fontaines was a thirteenth-century Cistercian and a well-read chronicler. He wrote about the happenings taking place in Europe, from Ruś to Wales. Among many subjects, he was especially keen on finding out the origins of the families and the genealogical relations. He not only summarised chronicles but undertook independent research on the topic of genealogies of rulers and nobles. The extent of his writing on this subject shows that it was one of his main interests.

While his knowledge about the family connections was sometimes appreciated, it was also perceived as full of mistakes. There was almost no discussion about the meaning of the various genealogies presented by Alberic. This is regrettable, as Alberic expresses a very interesting idea in the text: the common ancestry for the whole European nobility. In the article I point out Alberic’s probable sources of information, the role genealogical matter had in the chronicle. Finally I discuss the inspirations for the special treating of genealogy in the chronicle pointing at Peter of Poitiers’ example.