1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Alredus, of Beverley

by Henry William Carless Davis

ALREDUS, Alured or Aluredus, OF BEVERLEY, was sacristan of the church of Beverley in the first half of the 12th century. He wrote, apparently about the year 1143, a chronicle entitled Annales sive Historia de gestis regum Britanniae, which begins with Brutus and carries the history of England down to 1129. This work was edited by T. Hearne (Oxford, 1716), and at one time enjoyed some reputation as an authority. It is, however, a mere compilation and of no value. Geoffrey of Monmouth and Simeon of Durham are Alured's chief sources. Among the Cottonian MSS. there is a collection of records relating to Beverley, Libertates Ecclesiae S. Johannis de Beverlae, which is attributed to Alured, but on no good authority.  (H. W. C. D.)