Brevis historia regum Dacie
Brevis historia regum Dacie or Compendiosa Regum Daniae Historia is a historical chronicle written in Latin by Sven Aggesen, a Danish scholar from the 12th century, under the patronage of Archbishop Absalon. Sven was a contemporary of Saxo Grammaticus, author of the more famous Danish chronicle, the Gesta Danorum, and Sven's Brevis historia refers to Saxo by name.
Contents
Brevis historia regum Dacie is a chronicle of kings of Denmark, starting with the lineage of legendary kings of Denmark beginning with King Skiold, which transitions into historical Danish kings around Gorm the Old, and finally ending with the ascension of then-contemporary Knut VI and his defeat of Bugislav, Duke of Pomerania, in 1185.History
Manuscripts
Sven's works survive via two manuscripts, though neither is considered to be an accurate replica of his original writings. These are:- AM 33 4to, an "inexpert" copy probably commissioned by Claus Lyschander of an early and authentic manuscript. It is currently held in the Arnamagnæan Manuscript Collection in the Arnamagnæan Institute in Copenhagen.
- The second manuscript, likely from the late 13th century, was lost in the Copenhagen Fire of 1728, but used as the basis for the first printed edition of Sven's works by Stephan J. Stephanius, at Sorø in 1642. Because the manuscript was lost, changes to the text can't be traced to their source.