It certainly need not imply that Saxo had already written ten books, or indeed that he had written any, of his History.

All we call say is, that by 1185 a portion of the history was planned.

The order in which its several parts were composed, and the date of its completion, are not certainly known, as Absalon died in 1201.

But the work was not then finished; for, at the end of Bk.

XI, one Birger, who died in 1202, is mentioned as still alive.
We have, however, a yet later notice.