Post primum Insulæ Brittaniæ regem, &c. This is called by the author Speculum historiale, and contains four books.
The other part is called Anglo-Saxonum Chronicon, L. V. is a continuation of the former part, Prudentiæ Veterum mos inolevit—it was John Stow’s, says a manuscript note of Joscelin, in a manuscript in the Cotton library, Nero C. iii. A manuscript of both parts is found in the public library, Cambridge, among the manuscripts, fol. contains pages 516, and four books; ends in 1066. (248.) in the catalogue of manuscripts mentioned p. 168, No 2304. (124.) It begins,
Brittannia insularum optima, &c. in the end (says Dr. James, librarian in A.D. 1600.) are these words,
Reges vero Saxonum Gulielmo Malmsburiensi et Henrico Huntendoniensi permitto: quos de regibus Britonum tacere jubeo, &c.
Vossius says, there is in Bennet-College library, Cambridge, a manuscript epitome Chronicorum, which acknowledges our Richard for its author, in the title.
There is in the Arundel library of the Royal Society, among the manuscripts, p. 137, mentioned this. Britonum, Anglorum et Saxonum historia, to the reign of Hen. III. said to be of this author.
Dr. Stanley, in his catalogue of the manuscripts in Bennet-College library aforesaid, p. 22. G. VIII. mentions this. Ricardi Cicestrii Speculum historiale, vel Anglo-Saxonum Chronicon, ab anno 449. ad H. III.
In the printed catalogue of manuscripts, p. 134. No 1343. (66.) Epitome Chronicorum Angliæ, L. 1, 2. Epitome Chronicorum Ric. Cic. Monachi Westmonasterii.
There is a work of our Richard’s in the Lambeth library, among the Wharton manuscripts, L. p. 59. and the late Dr. Richard Rawlinson bought a manuscript of his, at Sir Joseph Jekyl’s sale; which is now at Oxford.
Our author was not eminent solely in this kind of learning; but we find likewise the traces of other works of his, in his clerical character. Thus, in a volume of St. Jerom’s ad Eugenium, 19. 9. a manuscript in Bennet-College library, is mention of Tractatus mag. magistri Ricardi Cirencestre, super symbolum majus et minus.