The Golden Legend

The famous saint biographies by 13th century chronicler Jacobus de Voragine are a classic of Christian literature; this edition contains the scholarly translations to English by William Caxton.

Living at a time when biography mainly concerned religious figures and their significance to the church, de Voragine’s held a privileged position as a researcher of old texts. The Golden Legend – known as the Legenda Aurea in the original Latin – met with approval when it was published in the 13th century. A collection of saint biographies under one cover, with its sources meticulously recorded, the work allowed the Christian priesthood and the literate laity to conveniently learn about the canonized figures of yore.

The system of chronicling used by de Voragine evidences the fact that his book was meant as an educational resource rather than as a form of popular entertainment. Over the centuries, various entries were added to de Voragine’s principal text. This edition of The Golden Legend was compiled and annotated by George V. O’Neill, a Professor of English working at University College in Dublin. The notes, appended after the conclusion of the biographies, explain various historical facts of the Medieval era and the meanings of certain archaic terms.