William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Chronicle of Greyfriars 1538 is in Chronicle of Greyfriars.
25th February 1538. Also this yere the 25th day of February [1538] was drawn from the Tower to Tyburn, Henry Hartford gentleman and Thomas Hever merchant, and there hanged and quartered for treason.
Also this year was made an Act of Parliament that no lord, knight, squire, gentleman, nor yeoman serving-man should disobey any offecer, constable, baliff, or any officer within the city of London as sargeant or yeoman, for to draw any weapon to any man, upon pain of death, or casting of any foyne [?].
22nd May 1538. Also this same yaer the 22nd day of May was burned in Smithfield friar John Forrest of Greenwich, and a rode that came out of Wales called Delvergaddar.
Note 1. The shrine of Darvel Gadarn was at Llandervel, co. Merioneth. On the destruction of the image see Wright's Letters on the Suppression of Monasteries, pp. 189, 208; Ellis's Letters, Third Series, letter 330; Ellis's Brand, vol. i. p. 202, edit. 1841.
7th August 1538. Also the 7th day of August was put to death Willyam Conysby gentleman.
Note 1. Stowe says, Edmond Conesby one of the grooms of the king's chamber for counter-feiting the king's seal manual.
2nd September 1538. And the 2nd day of September was put to death master Clefforde.
Note 1. Edward Clifford gentleman for counterfeiting the king's privy signet.—Stowe.
3rd September 1538. And the first Sunday of September was hanged at Clerkenwell at the wrestling place the hangman that was before, and two with him, for stealing in Bartholemew Fair.
22nd November 1538. This year the 22nd day of November was one Lambert, otherwise called Nicolas, was burned in Smithfield for great heresy.
And the 29th of November was burned in Smithfield John Mattessey a Dutchman, Peter Franke and his wife, for heresy.
9th December 1538. And this yere in December was beheddyd at the Towre-hyll lorde Henry markes of Exceter (age 42), lorde Henry Montegew (age 46), and sir Edward Nevelle (age 67).
November 1538. Also this year were all the places of religion within the city of London suppressed in November.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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23rd December 1538. Also this year the 23rd day of December was burned in Smithfield Richard Turner weaver, and Peter Florens butcher.