The chronicle was written from the point of view of the region of
Wielkopolska (
Greater Poland). Its actual title is unknown. In one of the remaining copies it's written down as
Chronicum Poloniae and in another
Annalia vestuste gentic Polonorum vel Kronice. There are nine existing manuscripts, including a
Great Chronicle copy which contains a collection of historical sources collected in Wielkopolska at the end of the 14th century. The purpose of the author was to record the history of the rulers of
Poland. The chronicle covers mythical events from pre-history up to the year 1271/72, and in two additions the year 1273. As a source, stylistically the chronicle is composed of two parts. The first, going up to the year 1202 is based on the
Chronica Polonorum of
Wincenty Kadłubek. The second part, written more in the style of
annals is based on yearly records of Capitularies of
Gniezno and Poznań. Other sources used by the author most likely include the lost
Annales Polonorum historiae, church archives, and
Vita s. Stanislai, Vita maior (
Life of Saint Stanisław) of
Wincenty of Kielcza. The introduction to the work has survived in two editions of the manuscript. One of these was written in 1295/1296 (it mentions
Przemysł II as the current ruler). The other, more extensive one, was most likely created in the 14th century. The chronicle was translated into Polish in 1965 by
Kazimierz Abgarowicz. ==Purpose==