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Ralph de Diceto orRalph of Diss (Latin:Radulfus de Diceto;c. 1120 – c. 1202) wasarchdeacon of Middlesex,dean ofSt Paul's Cathedral (fromc. 1180), and the author of a major chronicle divided into two parts—often treated as separate works—theAbbreviationes Chronicorum (Latin for "Abbreviations of Chronicles") from thebirth ofJesus to the 1140s and theImagines orYmagines Historiarum ("Images of Histories") from that point until 1202.
Ralph is first mentioned in 1152, when he received thearchdeaconry of Middlesex inLondon. He was probably born between 1120 and 1130. Of his parentage and nationality, we know nothing. The common statement that he derived his surname fromDiss inNorfolk is a mere conjecture.Dicetum may equally well be a Latinized form ofDissay,Dicy, orDizy, place names inMaine,Picardy,Burgundy, andChampagne.[1]
In 1152, Ralph was already aMaster of Arts and, presumably, had studied atParis. His reputation for learning and integrity stood high. He was regarded with respect and favour byArnulf of Lisieux andGilbert Foliot, two of the most eminent bishops of their time. Quite naturally, the archdeacon assumed the same side on theBecket controversy—that ofKing Henry II—as did his friends.[1]
By 1164, Ralph had acquired the livings ofAynho inNorthamptonshire andFinchingfield inEssex, serving them both byvicars.[2]
Although Ralph's narrative is colourless and although he was one of those who showed some sympathy forBecket at theCouncil of Northampton in 1164, his correspondence shows that he regarded the archbishop's conduct as ill-considered and that he gave advice to those whom Becket regarded as his chief enemies.[1]
The natural impartiality of his intellect was accentuated by a certain timidity, which is apparent in his writings no less than in his life. Apart from his selection in 1166 as the envoy of the English bishops when they protested against theexcommunications launched by Becket, which he characteristically neglects to record, he remained in the background.[1]
About 1180, Ralph becamedean ofSt Paul's. In this office, he distinguished himself by carefully managing its estates, by restoring the discipline of its chapter, and by building a deanery house at his own expense. A scholar and a man of considerable erudition, he evinced a strong preference for historical studies. About the time he was preferred to the deanery, he began to collect materials for the history of his own times.[1]
Ralph's friendships withRichard FitzNeal, who succeededGilbert Foliot in thesee ofLondon; withWilliam Longchamp, thechancellor ofKing Richard I; and withWalter de Coutances, thearchbishop ofRouen inNormandy, gave him excellent opportunities of collecting information.[1]
Ralph of Diceto's Chronicle covers the history of the world from thebirth ofJesus to the year 1202.[3] It is divided into two parts, often treated as separate works: theAbbreviationes Chronicorum ("Abbreviations of Chronicles") up to around 1147 and theImagines orYmagines Historiarum ("Images of Histories") from then until 1202.[3]
The former is a work of learning and industry but is almost entirely based upon extant sources. The latter, beginning as a compilation fromRobert de Monte and the letters of Bishop Foliot, becomes an original authorityc. 1172 and a contemporary recordc. 1181. In precision and fullness of detail, however, theYmagines are inferior to the chronicles ofRoger of Howden.[a] Ralph is careless in his chronology. The documents which he incorporates, while often important, are selected on no overarching principle. He has little sense of style but displays considerable insight when he ventures to discuss a political situation. For this reason and on account of the details with which they supplement the more important chronicles of the period, theYmagines are a valuable (though secondary) source.[1]
