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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Chronicle of Athelward is in Early Medieval Books.
Of the reign of king Athehtan, his wars and deeds.
924. 926. The year in which the stout king Athelstan (age 30) gained the crown of the kingdom, was the nine hundred and twenty-sixth from the glorious incarnation of our Saviour.
937. 939. Therefore, after thirteen years, a fierce battle was fought against the barbarians at Brunandune1, wherefore that fight is called great even to the present day: then the barbarian tribes are defeated and domineer no longer; they are driven beyond the ocean: the Scots and Picts also bow the neck; the lands of Britain are consolidated together, on all sides is peace, and plenty of all things, nor ever did a fleet again come to land except in friendship with the English.
Note 1. Brumby, Lincolnshire [Map].
27th October 939. Two years afterwards the venerated king Athelstan (age 45) died.
Of the reign of king Edmund.
After him [King Æthelstan I of England] Edmund succeeded to the neglected kingdom.
944. 948. After seven years, therefore, bishop Wulfstan and the duke of the Mercians expelled certain deserters, namely, Reginald and Anlaf from the city of York, and gave them into the king's hand. In the same year died also queen Elfgiva, wife of king Edmund, and afterwards was canonized. In her tomb, with God's assistance, even to the present day, miracles are performed in the monastery called Shaftesbury [Map].
26th May 946. In the same period also died king Edmund (age 25) on the solemnity of Augustine the Less, who also was the apostle of the English: and he held the kingdom six years and a half.
Of the reign of king Edred.
23rd November 955. Edmund's successor was Edred his brother, to whom all the Northumbrians became subject; and the Scots also give oaths of allegiance and immutable fidelity. Not long after these things he also departed in peace, on the birthday of the blessed pope and martyr Clement. He had held the kingdom nine years and half.
Of king Edwy.
His successor to the throne was Edwy, who, on account of his great personal beauty, was called Pankalus by the people. He held the sovereignty four years, and was much beloved.