I, and with Walter de Coutances, the Archbishop of Rouen, gave him excellent opportunities of collecting information. Writings Ralph's two chief works, the Abbreviationes chronicorum and the Ymagines historiarum, cover the history of the world from the birth of Christ to the year 1202. The former, which ends in 1147, is a work of learning and industry, but is almost entirely based upon extant sources. The latter, beginning as a compilation from Robert de Monte and the letters of Foliot, becomes an original authority c. 1172 and a contemporary record c. 1181. In precision and fullness of detail the Ymagines are inferior to the chronicles of Roger of Hoveden. Though an annalist, Ralph is careless in his chronology. The documents which he incorporates, while often important, are selected on no 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, the Ymagines are a valuable though secondary source. Editions of Diceto's writings Stubbs, William (ed.). Radulfi de Diceto decani Lundoniensis opera historica. The Historical Works of Master Ralph de Diceto, Dean of London. 2 vols. Rolls Series 68. 1876. The first volume contains editions of the Abbreviationes chronicorum, Capitula ymaginum historiarum and the Ymagines historiarum, with introduction. The second volume (Ymagines, continued, 1180–1202, minor works, and miscellaneous documents appended to the preface) contains minor works which are the barest compendia of facts taken from well-known sources. Online copy of Volume 1 on Google Books Online copy of Volume 2 (1876) at Internet Archive. Hale, W. H. (ed.). The Domesday of St Pauls. Camden Society, 1858. pp. 109 ff. Diceto's fragmentary Domesday of the capitular estates. Online copy of The Domesday of St Pauls at Internet Archive. References Further reading Duggan, C. and A. Duggan. "Ralph de Diceto, Henry II and Becket." In Authority and Power: Studies on Medieval Law and Government presented to W. Ullmann, ed. by B. Tierneyand P. Linehan. Cambridge, 1980. pp. 59–81. With an appendix on decretal letters. Gillingham, John. "Historians without hindsight: Coggeshall, Diceto and Howden on the early years of John's reign." In King John: New interpretations, ed. S.D. Church. Woodbridge: Boydell, 1999. pp. 1–26. Greenway, Diana E. "Succession to Ralph de Diceto, dean of St Paul's." Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research 39 (1966):