History of the Kings of Urcea
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The History of the Kings of Urcea is a historical treatment on the history of Urcea from the Golden Bull of 1098 through the Great Interregnum in 1339, and as the name would suggests, it focuses on the achievements and lives of the Apostolic Kings of Urcea during that period. The History's author, Boniface of Coria, was bishop of Coria in the mid-14th century. The History is viewed by contemporary historians as having moderately low quality as a source due to the lack of stated primary sources from before about 1320; it is often contrasted with the much more accurate Riparian Chronicle. Unlike the Chronicle, however, Boniface largely maintains a neutral perspective on Urcean history and as such his account is prized for presenting some information which conflicts the Chronicle at points. As there is a lack of major sources on Urcean history in the later 12th and 13th century, the History remains a well-cited document despite some significant historigraphical issues with the test and remains the primary source of the story of the Saint's War.
Overview
Mythological insertions
Boniface inserted many mythical incidents into his History when compiling it, many of which have become well known Urcean fairy tales.
The History includes a ghostly apparition of Archduke Caelius IV (r. 956-972) to King Adrian I (r. 1275-1312) and an extended backstory on Caelius's life and reign as Archduke. The backstory includes significant material not included within the Riparian Chronicle, which has caused significant debate about the historicity of this material. Some historians believe Boniface had access to now-lost sources on the lives of the Archdukes of Urceopolis in the 10th century, though a bare majority of historians believe these insertions to be Boniface's own invention. The 1348 manuscript includes the earliest surviving depiction of his assassination.
Manuscript history
The History's best-known and best-preserved manuscript dates to 1348 and is held as Castle Welute. It has many full-color depictions of Urcean historical events, and the depictions from this manuscript are some of the best known images of early Urcean history.