Its incidental mentions of Cornish folklore about King Arthur, including belief in his survival, have attracted great interest from Arthurian scholars, but it is also a valuable historical source on the state of English and French society in the early 12th century.
[1][2] The first two books are closely based on two eye-witness accounts, with some additions by the author; his other written sources include biographies, documents, and the Bible, from which last he quotes frequently.
The first book begins with some account of the history of Laon Cathedral, including its destruction by fire in 1112, and of its bishop, Barthélemy de Jur.
It then describes in detail an attempt to recruit the church's finances by touring its sacred relics through northern France in the summer of the same year, mentioning also the miracles with which this journey was attended.
The second book relates another fundraising journey through northern France and southern England in the spring and summer of 1113 made by nine canons of Laon, the 1112 alms having largely been spent.
[8][9] Herman tells us that they left Laon on the Monday before Palm Sunday and journeyed to Nesle, Arras and Saint-Omer, at each of which stops their relics worked miracles.
Here they were welcomed by bishop Roger and his nephews Alexander and Nigel, who were ex-pupils of the Laon cathedral school, like several of the clerics they encountered on their journey.