monk at Christ Church, Canterbury, from 1163, compiler of chronicles having considerable value for the reign of Richard I (1189–99) and the first decade of King John's reign (from 1199).

Ordained by Thomas Becket, Gervase was sacristan of the Christ Church monastery for several years in the 1190s. About 1188 he began to compile his Chronica, starting with the reign of King Stephen (1135–54). A second history, the Gesta regum, traces in less detail the political and military fortunes of Britain from the 1st century BC to 1209 or 1210. The earlier portions of both works are derivative, but Gervase is an independent authority for events from 1188 or 1189.