MALMESBUBY, WILLIAM OF, an early English historian, was b. near the close of the llth c., probably in Somersetshire, educated in the mona.stery whence he derived his name, and of which he became librarian. He died some time after 1142, but the exact date is not known. Malmesbury's principal works, which are written in Latin, are De Gesti.s Regurn, a history of the kings of England from the Saxon invasion to the 26th year of Henry I.; Historize Novella, extending from the 26th year of Henry I. to the escape of the empress Maud from Oxford; and De Gestis Pontifzeum, containing an account of the bishops and principal monasteries of England from the conversion of Ethelbert of Kent by St. Augustine to 1123. The first of these was translated into English by the rev. John Sharpe (Lond. 1815), and has been reprinted in Bohn's antiquarian libraiy, under the editorship of Dr. Giles (1847). Of his other works, Gale has printed his Antiquities of Glastonbury, and Wharton his Life of St. Madan, in his Anglia Sacra. Malmesbury gives proof in his writings of great diligence, good sense, modesty, and a genuine love of truth. His style is much above that of his contemporaries.
MAL'310, or MALiutbiuus, a Sweclish province or on the Baltic; 1852 sq.m.; pop.
'73, 322,175. Its capital city, bearing the same name, is 16 m. s.e. of Copenhagen, and
has over 25,000 population, situated on the sound. The principal export of the province is grain; horses and cattle are bred in large numbers, and the city is well supplied with schools of a high grade, and is very prosperous.
MAL'31.0, the principal town of the "ken," or district, of Malmohuus, in Sweden, is situated on the sound, nearly opposite Copenhagen, and had, in 1874, a population of 30,676. Malmo is a busy sea-port, maintaining an active steam and sailing communica tion with Copenhagen and all the great Baltic and German ocean ports, and has manufac tures of stockings, tobacco, soap, sugar, woolen goods, etc. It is the seat of a govern ment department, and is a lively, pleasantly situated town. The ancient fortifications, most of which are now converted into public walks, date from the time of Eric of Pome rania, who, in 1434, erect,ed strong lines of defense on the seaside of the town, and built the castle, which still remains. Malmo was an important place of landing and embarka tion aa early as 1259, and through the middle ages it was extensively visited by German and other traders. In 1523 it was the scene of the signing-of a treaty of peace between the Danes and Gustavus Vasa.