Richard of Cirencester

Richard of Cirencester was a monk at Westminster Abbey and historian. He was born before 1340 and entered the monastery in 1354-1355. His surname may indicate his place of birth. He studied at Oxford university and later held various offices in the Abbey including Precentor and Warden of St Mary's chapel. In 1388 he helped to compile the inventory of the vestry. His main work was Speculum historiale de gestis regum Angliae (history of the kings of England) and he may have written part of the Westminster Chronicle. A book said to be by him - De situ Britanniae - was actually a clever 18th century fabrication. He died in 1400 but his place of burial in the Abbey is unknown.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004

His Speculum was printed in the Rolls Series 30 edited by J.E.B. Mayor, 2 vols, 1863-1869