Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi benedicti abbatis.

Originally published in 1867 as part of the Rolls Series, is a vital historical source documenting the reigns of English kings Henry II (1154–1189) and Richard I (1189–1199). Originally attributed to Benedict of Peterborough (c. 1135–1193), the chronicle is now widely considered the work of Roger of Hoveden (d. 1201/2), a clerk to Henry II who accompanied Richard I on the Third Crusade. The text, written in Latin, spans from 1169 to 1192 and includes annals, letters, charters, and other documents, offering a detailed record of political, military, and ecclesiastical events.

The chronicle covers key moments such as Henry II’s conflicts with Thomas Becket, the Becket assassination in 1170, and the subsequent penance at Canterbury; the rebellion of Henry’s sons with Eleanor of Aquitaine’s support; and Richard I’s coronation and early Crusade efforts. Volume 1 provides historiographical commentary and appendices, while Volume 2 focuses on governance and administrative details. Stubbs, a prominent historian, edited the work from Cotton Manuscripts, challenging the Benedict attribution and providing critical context. The text reflects the challenges of medieval chronicling, blending firsthand accounts with secondhand reports, and remains a cornerstone for studying the Angevin period, despite debates over its authorship and biases.