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Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande

work by Holinshed
Also known as: “Chronicles”

Quick Summary

The Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande is a historical work compiled by Raphael Holinshed and first published in 1577. It is a compilation of various historical accounts, largely uncritically gathered from different sources. This work became a significant resource for many Elizabethan playwrights, most notably William Shakespeare, who drew material from its second edition for plays such as Macbeth and King Lear. The Chronicles are an example of a historical account arranged chronologically, a style common in medieval and Renaissance literature.123

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