Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 750-799 is in Anglo-Saxon ChronicleAnglo-Saxon Chronicle.
750. This year Cuthred King of Wessex -756Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought with the proud chief Ethelhun.
752 Battle of Burford752 Battle of Burford
752. This year, the twelfth of his reign, Cuthred King of Wessex -756Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, 752 Battle of Burfordfought at Battle Edge, BurfordBurford [Map]27 with King Æthelbald of Mercia -757Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, and put him to flight.
Note 27. Beorgforda, Ethelw.; Beorhtforda, Flor.; Hereford and Bereford, H. Hunt; Beorford, M. West. This battle of Burford has been considerably amplified by Henry of Huntingdon, and after him by Matthew of Westminster. The former, among other absurdities, talks of "Amazonian" battle-axes. They both mention the banner of the "golden dragon" etc.
753. This year Cuthred King of Wessex -756Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons, fought against the Welsh.
754 Canterbury Fire754 Canterbury Fire
754. This year died Cuthred King of Wessex -756Cuthred, king of the West-Saxons; and Sigeberht King of WessexSebright, his relative, succeeded to the kingdom, which he held one year; Cyneard succeeded Humferth in the see of Winchester; and Canterbury, KentCanterbury, Kent [Map] was this year on 754 Canterbury Firefire.
786 Assassination of King Cynewulf786 Assassination of King Cynewulf
755. This year Cynewulf King of Wessex -786Cynewulf, with the consent of the West-Saxon council, deprived Sigeberht King of WessexSebright, his relative, for unrighteous deeds, of his kingdom, except Hampshire; which he retained, until he slew the alderman who remained the longest with him. Then Cynewulf King of Wessex -786Cynewulf drove him to the forest of Andred [Note. The Weald in South-East England], where he remained, until a swain stabbed him at Privett, HampshirePrivett, and revenged the alderman, Cumbra. The same Cynewulf King of Wessex -786Cynewulf fought many hard battles with the Welsh; and, about one and thirty winters after he had the kingdom, he was desirous of expelling a prince called Cyneard, who was the brother of Sigeberht King of WessexSebright. But he having understood that the king was gone, thinly attended, on a visit to a lady at Merton, SurreyMerton28, rode after him, and beset him therein; surrounding the town without, ere the attendants of the king were aware of him. When the king found this, he went out of doors, and defended himself with courage; till, having looked on the etheling, he rushed out upon him, and wounded him severely. Then were they all fighting against the king, until they had slain him. As soon as the king's thanes in the lady's bower heard the tumult, they ran to the spot, whoever was then ready. The etheling immediately offered them life and rewards; which none of them would accept, but continued fighting together against him, till they all lay dead, except one British hostage, and he was severely wounded. When the king's thanes that were behind heard in the morning that the king was slain, they rode to the spot, Osric his alderman, and Wiverth his thane, and the men that he had left behind; and they met the etheling at the town, where the king lay slain. The gates, however, were locked against them, which they attempted to force; but he promised them their own choice of money and land, if they would grant him the kingdom; reminding them, that their relatives were already with him, who would never desert him. To which they answered, that no relative could be dearer to them than their lord, and that they would never follow his murderer. Then they besought their relatives to depart from him, safe and sound. They replied, that the same request was made to their comrades that were formerly with the king; "And we are as regardless of the result," they rejoined, "as our comrades who with the king were slain." Then they continued fighting at the gates, till they rushed in, and slew the etheling and all the men that were with him; except one, who was the godson of the alderman, and whose life he spared, though he was often wounded. This same Cynewulf King of Wessex -786Cynewulf reigned one and thirty winters. His body lies at Winchester, and that of the etheling at Axminster. Their paternal pedigree goeth in a direct line to Cerdic. The same year King Æthelbald of Mercia -757Ethelbald, king of the Mercians, was slain at Seckington, WarwickshireSeckington; and his body lies at Repton, DerbyshireRepton [Map]. He reigned one and forty years; and Beornred King Mercia -757Bernred then succeeded to the kingdom, which he held but a little while, and unprosperously; for King Offa of Mercia -796King Offa the same year put him to flight, and assumed the government; which he held nine and thirty winters. His son King Ecgfrith of Mercia -796Everth held it a hundred and forty days. King Offa of Mercia -796Offa was the son of IclingasThingferth, Thingferth of IclingasEnwulf, Enwulf of IclingasOsmod, Osmod of Eowa King Mercia -642Eawa, Eawa of Pybba King Mercia 590-610Webba, Webba of Creoda King Mercia 570-593Creoda, Creoda of IclingasCenwald, Cenwald of IclingasCnebba-, Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew of Offa, Offa of Wermund, Wermund of Witley, Witley of Woden.
Note 28. The minuteness of this narrative, combined with the simplicity of it, proves that it was written at no great distance of time from the event. It is the first that occurs of any length in the older MSS. of the "Saxon Chronicle".
760. This year died Archbishop Cuthbert. He held the archbishopric eighteen years.
761. This year Bregowin was invested archbishop at Michaelmas, and continued four years. Æthelwald Moll King of NorthumbriaMull Ethelwold this year succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom, held it six winters, and then resigned it.
762. This year died King Æthelbert II of Kent 725-762Ethelbert [aged 37], King of Kent, who was the son of King Wihtred of Kent 670-725King Wihtred, and also of Ceolwulf King Northumbria -760Ceolwulf.
763. This year was the severe winter; and Æthelwald Moll King of NorthumbriaMull, king of the Northumbrians, slew Oswin at Edwin's-Cliff, on the eighth day before the ides of August.
764. This year died Archbishop Bregowin.
765. This year Archbishop Jænberht -792Eanbert was invested archbishop, on the fortieth day over mid-winter; and Frithwald, Bishop of Whitern, died on the nones of May. He was consecrated at York, on the eighteenth day before the calends of September, in the sixth year of the reign of Ceolwulf, and was bishop nine and twenty winters. Then was Petwin consecrated Bishop of Whithorn aka GallowayBishop of Whitern at Adlingfleet, on the sixteenth day before the calends of August.
766. This year Archbishop Jænberht -792Archbishop Eanbert received the pall.
767. This year Alhred King of NorthumbriaAlred succeeded to the kingdom of the Northumbrians, and reigned eight winters.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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768. This year died Archbishop Ecgbert of York -766Archbishop Egbert at York, on the thirteenth day before the calends of December, who was bishop thirty-six winters; and Frithbert at Hexham, who was bishop there thirty-four winters. Archbishop Æthelbert of York -780Ethelbert was consecrated to York, and Elmund to Hexham.
768. This year died Eadberht King of Northumbria -768King Eadbert, the son of BerniciaEata, on the fourteenth day before the calends of September.
772. This year died Bishop Mildred.
774 Battle of Otford774 Battle of Otford
774. This year the Northumbrians banished their king, Alhred King of NorthumbriaAlred, from York at Easter-tide; and chose Æthelred I of Northumbria 762-796Ethelred [aged 12], the son of Æthelwald Moll King of NorthumbriaMull, for their lord, who reigned four winters. This year also appeared in the heavens a red crucifix, after sunset; the Mercians and the men of Kent 774 Battle of Otfordfought at Otford; and wonderful serpents were seen in the land of the South-Saxons.
777 Battle of Bensington777 Battle of Bensington
775. This year Cynewulf King of Wessex -786Cynewulf and King Offa of Mercia -796Offa fought near 777 Battle of BensingtonBensington, and Offa took possession of the town. In the days of this king, Offa, there was an abbot at Peterborough AbbeyMedhamsted, called Beonna; who, with the consent of all the monks of the minster, let to farm, to Alderman Cuthbert, ten copyhold lands at Swineshead, with leasow and with meadow, and with all the appurtenances; provided that the said Cuthbert gave the said abbot fifty pounds therefore, and each year entertainment for one night, or thirty Shillingshillings in money;29 provided also, that after his decease the said lands should revert to the monastery. The king, King Offa of Mercia -796Offa, and King Ecgfrith of Mercia -796King Everth, and Archbishop Hibbert, and Bishop Ceolwulf, and Bishop Inwona, and Abbot Beonna, and many other bishops, and abbots, and rich men, were witnesses to this. In the days of this same Offa was an alderman, of the name of Brorda, who requested the king for his sake to free his own monastery, called Woking, because he would give it to Peterborough AbbeyMedhamsted and St. Peter, and the abbot that then was, whose name was Pusa. Pusa succeeded Beonna; and the king loved him much. And the king freed the monastery of Woking, against king, against bishop, against earl, and against all men' so that no man should have any claim there, except St. Peter and the abbot. This was done at the king's town called Free-Richburn.
Note 29. Penga in the original, i.e. "of pence", or "in pence"; because the silver penny, derived from the Roman "denarius", was the standard coin in this country for more than a thousand years. It was also used as a weight, being the twentieth part of an ounce.
776. This year died Bishop Petwin, on the thirteenth day [18th September 776] before the calends of October, having been bishop fourteen winters. The same year Archbishop Æthelbert of York -780Ethelbert was consecrated Bishop of Whitern, at York, on the seventeenth day before the calends of July.
778. This year Ethelbald and Herbert slew three high-sheriffs-Eldulf, the son of Bosa, at Coniscliff; Cynewulf and Eggo at Helathyrn-on the eleventh day before the calends of April. Then Elwald, having banished Ethelred from his territory, seized on his kingdom, and reigned ten winters.
780. This year a battle was fought between the Old-Saxons and the Franks; and the high-sheriffs of Northumbria committed to the flames Alderman Bern at Silton, on the ninth day before the calends of January [23rd December 779].
[8th November 780]. The same year Archbishop Æthelbert of York -780Archbishop Ethelbert died at York, and Archbishop Eanbald -796Eanbald was consecrated in his stead;
Bishop Cynewulf retired to Holy-island; Elmund, Bishop of HexhamBishop of Hexham, died on the seventh day before the ides of September [7th September 781], and Tilbert was consecrated in his stead, on the sixth day before the nones of October [2nd October 780]; Hibbald was consecrated Bishop of LindisfarneBishop of Holy-island at Sockbury; and King Elwald sent to Rome for a pall in behoof of Archbishop Eanbald -796Archbishop Eanbald.
782. This year died Werburga, Queen of Ceolred King Mercia -716Ceolred, and Bishop Cynewulf, in Holy-island; and the same year there was a synod at Acley.
786. This year Cyneard slew Cynewulf King of Wessex -786King Cynewulf, and was slain himself, and eighty-four men with him. Then King Beorhtric of Wessex -802Bertric undertook the government of the West-Saxons, and reigned sixteen years. His body is deposited at Wareham, DorsetWareham [Map]; and his pedigree goeth in a direct line to Cerdic. At this time reigned Ealmund King of KentElmund king in Kent, the father of King Egbert of Wessex 773-839Egbert [aged 13]; and Egbert was the father of King Æthelwulf of Wessex -858Athulf.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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785. This year died Bothwin, Abbot of Ripon, and a litigious synod was holden at Chalk-hythe; Archbishop Jænberht -792Archbishop Eanbert resigned some part of his bishopric, Hibbert was appointed Bishop of Lichfieldbishop by King Offa of Mercia -796King Offa, and King Ecgfrith of Mercia -796Everth was consecrated king. In the meantime legates were sent from Rome to England by Pope Adrian, to renew the blessings of faith and peace which St. Gregory sent us by the mission of Bishop Augustine, and they were received with every mark of honour and respect.
787 First Viking Attack787 First Viking Attack
787. This year King Beorhtric of Wessex -802King Bertric took Queen Eadburga of Wessex -802Edburga the daughter of King Offa of Mercia -796Offa to wife. And in his days came 787 First Viking Attackfirst three ships of the Northmen from the land of robbers. The reve30 then rode thereto, and would drive them to the king's town; for he knew not what they were; and there was he slain. These were the first ships of the Danish men that sought the land of the English nation.
Note 30. Since called "sheriff"; i.e. the reve, or steward, of the shire. "Exactor regis".—Ethelw.
787. This year there was a synod assembled at Fingall in Northumberland, on the fourth day before the nones of September; and Abbot Albert departed this life.
788. This year BerniciaElwald, king of the Northumbrians, was slain by Siga, on the eleventh day before the calends of October; and a heavenly light was often seen on the spot where he was slain. He was buried in the church of Hexham AbbeyHexham [Map]; and Osred King of Northumbria -792Osred, the son of Alhred King of NorthumbriaAlred, who was his nephew, succeeded him in the government. This year there was a synod assembled at Acley.
792. This year Archbishop Jænberht -792Archbishop Eanbert died, and Abbot Ethelherd was chosen archbishop the same year. Osred King of Northumbria -792Osred, king of the Northumbrians, was betrayed and banished from his kingdom, and Æthelred I of Northumbria 762-796Ethelred [aged 30], the son of Æthelwald Moll King of NorthumbriaEthelwald, succeeded him.
791. This year Baldulf was consecrated Bishop of Whitern, on the sixteenth day before the calends of August, by Archbishop Eanbald -796Archbishop Eanbald and Bishop Ethelbert.
794. This year King Offa of Mercia -796Offa, King of Mercia, commanded that King Ethelbert should be beheaded;
and Osred King of Northumbria -792Osred, who had been king of the Northumbrians, returning home after his exile, was apprehended and slain, on the eighteenth day before the calends of October. His body is deposited at Tinemouth. Æthelred I of Northumbria 762-796Ethelred [aged 32] this year, on the third day before the calends of October, took unto himself a new wife, whose name was Queen Ælfflæd of NorthumbriaElfleda.
793 Viking Attack on Lindisfarne793 Viking Attack on Lindisfarne
795. This year came dreadful fore-warnings over the land of the Northumbrians, terrifying the people most woefully: these were immense sheets of light rushing through the air, and whirlwinds, and fiery, dragons flying across the firmament. These tremendous tokens were soon followed by a great famine: and not long after, on the sixth day before the ides of January in the same year, the harrowing inroads of heathen men made 793 Viking Attack on Lindisfarnelamentable havoc in the church of God in Holy-island, by rapine and slaughter. Siga died on the eighth day before the calends of March.
796 Death of King Offa796 Death of King Offa
796. This year died Pope Adrian; and also King Offa of Mercia -796Offa, King of Mercia, on the fourth day before the ides of August, after he had reigned forty winters.
Æthelred I of Northumbria 762-796Ethelred [aged 34], king of the Northumbrians, was slain by his own people, on the thirteenth day before the calends of May; in consequence of which, Bishops Ceolwulf and Eadbald retired from the land. Everth took to the government of Mercia, and died the same year. Eadbert, whose other name was Pryn, obtained the kingdom of Kent; and Alderman Ethelherd died on the calends of August. In the meantime, the heathen armies spread devastation among the Northumbrians, and plundered the monastery of King Everth at the mouth of the River WearWear. There, however, some of their leaders were slain; and some of their ships also were shattered to pieces by the violence of the weather; many of the crew were drowned; and some, who escaped alive to the shore, were soon dispatched at the mouth of the river.
795. This year was the Eclipse of the Moonmoon eclipsed, between cock-crowing and dawn31, on the fifth day before the calends of April; and Erdulf succeeded to the Northumbrian kingdom on the second before the ides of May. He was afterwards consecrated and raised to his throne, at York, on the seventh day before the calends of June, by Archbishop Eanbald -796Archbishop Eanbald, and Bishops Ethelbert, Hibbald, and Baldulf.
Note 31. This is the Grecian method of computation; between the hours of three and six in the morning. It must be recollected, that before the distribution of time into hours, minutes, and seconds, the day and night were divided into eight equal portions, containing three hours each; and this method was continued long afterwards by historians.
796. This year died Archbishop Eanbald -796Archbishop Eanbald, on the fourth day before the ides of August; and his body is deposited at York.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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796. The same year also died Bishop Ceolwulf; and another Eanbald was consecrated to the see of the former, on the nineteenth day before the calends of September. About the same time Cynewulf, King of Mercia, made inroads upon the inhabitants of Kent as far as the marsh; and the Mercians seized Edbert Pryn, their king, led him bound into Mercia, and suffered men to pick out his eyes, and cut off his hands.32
796. And Ethelard, Archbishop of Canterbury, held a synod, wherein he ratified and confirmed, by command of Pope Leo, all things concerning God's monasteries that were fixed in Witgar's days, and in other king's days, saying thus: "I Ethelard, the humble Archbishop of Canterbury, with the unanimous concurrence of the whole synod, and of all the congregations of all the minsters, to which in former days freedom was given by faithful men, in God's name and by his terrible judgment do decree, as I have command from Pope Leo, that henceforth none dare to choose them lords from lewd men over God's inheritance; but, as it is in the writ that the pope has given, or holy men have settled, our fathers and our teachers, concerning holy minsters, so they continue untainted without any resistance. If there is any man that will not observe this decree of God, of our pope, and of us, but overlooketh it, and holdeth it for nought, let them know, that they shall give an account before the judgment-seat of God. And I Ethelard, archbishop, with twelve bishops, and with three and twenty abbots, this same with the rood-token of Christ confirm and fasten."
Note 32. This wanton act of barbarity seems to have existed only in the depraved imagination of the Norman interpolator of the "Saxon Annals", who eagerly and impatiently dispatches the story thus, in order to introduce the subsequent account of the synod at Bapchild, so important in his eyes. Hoveden and Wallingford and others have repeated the idle tale; but I have not hitherto found it in any historian of authority.
797. This year the Romans cut out the tongue of Pope Leo, put out his eyes, and drove him from his see; but soon after, by the assistance of God, he could see and speak, and became pope as he was before. Eanbald also received the pall on the sixth day before the ides of September, and Bishop Ethelherd died on the third before the calends of November.
798. This year the Romans cut out the tongue of Pope Leo, put out his eyes, and drove him from his see; but soon after, by the assistance of God, he could see and speak, and became pope as he was before. Eanbald also received the pall on the sixth day before the ides of September, and Bishop Ethelherd died on the third before the calends of November.
799. This year Archbishop Ethelbert, and Cynbert, Bishop of Wessex, went to Rome. In the meantime Bishop Alfun died at Sudbury, and was buried at Dunwich. After him Tidfrith was elected to the see; and Siric, king of the East Saxons, went to Rome. In this year the body of Witburga was found entire, and free from decay, at Dercham, after a lapse of five and fifty years from the period of her decease.