Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.
Chronicles of London is in Tudor Books.
1441 Trial and Punishment of Eleanor Cobham
1483 Execution of William Hastings by Richard III
1483 The Princes of the Tower described as Illegitimate
1483 Richard III elected King by the Three Estates
1497 Battle of Blackheath aka Deptford Bridge
1497 Perkin Warbreck Rebellion
1497 Trial and Execution of Perkin Warbreck and Edward Earl of Warwick
Also, thouh Sir Herry, now Duk off Lancastre, consideryng the State and the kyngis worship by the kyngis comandement hath putte vp his bille ayens the Duke off Northfolk and duely hath pursuyd the same bille in so fforforth that he hath profryd hym sylff redy in all thing to batayle affter the kyngis ordenaunce. And also nat withstandyng that the kyng hym sylff hath opynly pronouncyd and declaryd the same Duk off Lancastre redy to have ffulfillyd his byheste and duete in this partye wel and worshipfully in as mych as in hym ys by goode decrete lawe and ordenaunce, and ordenyd yt to be proclamyd affore all the peple gadrid to the Bataylle: The same kyng, neuer the latter, with out eny Lawfull cause or reson hath commandyd and done exile the same Duk off Lancastre by x yere, ayens all manere rihtwysnesse and lawes and vsages off the Rewme and ayens alle lawe off armes and knyhthode in this partye. Wherthurh he ys dampnably fforswore.
Also, affter that Kyng Richard had graciously grauntyd by patent lettres to Herry, now Duk off Lancastre, that in his absence, whil he were exilyd, his generall attournes myht pursue here fforto have delyuerance off all his heritages and possessions longyng to hym, and that he shall putte in respyte his homage ffor a resonable ffyn to be made: The same Kyng Richard the same lettre patentes wrongefully revokyd, ayens alle the lawes off the lande, fiforsweryng hym sylff.
The Chronicles of London. Edited with Introduction and Notes by Charles Lethbridge Kingsford, M.A. St. John's College, Oxford. Oxford at the Clarendon Press 1905.
[18th November 1441]. And aftyr Roger the clerk aforn sayd on the Setterday, that is to say the xviij day of nouembre, was brought to the yeld hall with Sir John horn, prest, and William Wodham, squyer; the wich Sir John and William had her charterys at that tyme; and the clerk whas dampned and the same day whas drawe ffro the Toure of london to Tybom, and ther hongid, hedid, and quartered; and the hed sett on london brygge, and his one quarter att hertford1, a nother att Oxenford, a nother at York, and the iiijte at Cambryg. And the lady [Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester (age 41)] put in prison and aftyr sent to the Ile of Man2, ther to abyde while that sche levyd.
Note 1. Hereford, H.
Note 2. Chestre, H.
13th June 1483. And the xiijth day of Jun the Duke of Glowecetir, sodeynly wt oute Jugement, cawsid the lord Hastynges, Chamberlayne of England, to be beheded wtin the Tower. And forthwith sent the Bisshoppis of Ely and York in to Walys, there to haue been prysoned.
[22nd June 1483] And vpon the sonday after was declared at powles Crosse, that kyng Edwardes childern wer not Ryghtfull Enheritours vnto the Crowne, but that the Duke of Glowcetir's title was bettir than thers.
24th June 1483. And vpon the Tuysday folowyng cam the Duke of Bokyngham vnto Guylde-hall, and there shewed vnto the Mayr and his brithern and to a greate multitude of the Citezeins the title of the Duke of Glowcetir, that he had vnto the crowne, excityng the people to take hym for their kyng.
26th June 1483. And vpon thursday aftir, the said Duke of Glowcetir wta greate company of lordes and Gentilmen, wt also the Mayr and the Craftes, went vnto Westmynster, and there toke possession of the Regalite sittyng in Westmynster halle; wher vpon his right hand satte the Duke of Northfolk, and vpon that other hand the Duke of Suffolk.
In this yere was kyng Henry the VIJ maryed vnto Dame manage of Elizabeth, theldest Doughter of kyng Edward the IIIJ.
[16th June 1487] Also this yere was Stoke feeld, wher by the kynges powre was slayne therle of Lyncolne, Maxten Swart, a Ducheman, and moche of the people that came wt theym. And yet was that tyme false Englisshemen that were bitwene the ffeeld and the kynges trewe people that were comyng to hym ward, which vntru persons said that the kyng was fled and the feeld lost; wherby the kyng was put from moche of his ayde, but yet god was his helper and sent hym the victory.
[17th June 1497] And the said nyght was Secret Meanes made vnto my lord Chamberleyn by dyuers of the Cornysshe men, that it wold please his lordship to be a meane vnto the kynges grace that the said Comons of Cornwaill myght haue for theym a generall pardon ; And they wold of a Suyrtie bryng in to my said lord Chamberleyn the said lord Awdeley, And their other hede capitayne the Smyth. Vpon the ffriday folowyng in the mornyng, aboute viij of the Clok, the Ost of my lord Chamberleyn Removed out of the ffeeld, and went toward Croydon; but they after Retourned agayn, so that by ij of the Clok they wer all in the forenamed ffelde of Saynt Georges. And that after none came also thider the kynges Oste wt many of his lordes. And when the Mair with his Brethern and all the chief craftes of the Citie were redy standyng in barneys from the Brigge vnto Graschurche to Receyve the kyng, which as the Mair had vnderstandyng that his grace that nyght wold haue comen to the Tower, tydynges came to the Mayr that the kyng entendid that nyght to lye at Lambhith, so that then euery man departid home ; and the kyng was after seen in the ffeelde, and abrewyng and comfortyng of his people, the which wer numbred vpon XXV Ml men. And the Cornysshe men this after none came agayn vnto the blak heth, and there pitched their ffeeld, and there lay all that nyght in greate Agony and variaunce; ffor some of theym were myended to haue comyn to the kyng, and to hau yolden theym and put theym fully in his mercy and grace, but the Smyth was of the Contrary myende. And vpon the mornyng, aboute vj of the Clok of the Saterday, beyng the XIJth day of Juyn, sir Humfrey Stanley wt his Cumpany set vpon theym, and my lord of Oxinford and other vpon all other partes, so that wtin a short season, or evir the kyng myght approche the ffeld, they were distressid ; Albe it that my lord Chamberleyn hastid hym in all possible wise, in such maner that hym self was in greate daunger, at whos comyng anon they fledde. And there was taken the lord Awdley (age 34), and a Gentilman called fflammok, and their Capitayn the Smyth, all three on lyve and vnhurt, and moche of their people slayn, and many taken prisoners. And this done the kyng Rode to the place where they had pitched their ffelde. And aboute IJ of the Clok at after none he came over London Brigge, where at Saynt Magnus Chirch [Map] the Mair wt his brethren in Scarlet receyved hym, to whom he gave cherefull thankes for his good diligence of kepyng and orderyng of the Citie, and also for the plentevous vitailyng of his Ost; after which thankes geven, in the same place the kyng wt his owne swerd, which was gird aboute hym, he dubbed the Maire knyght, John Shaa (age 37) one of the Shryffes knyght, and the Recorder, Robert Sheffeld (age 36). And so from thens Rode vnto powlis, and there offred. And from thens he went to the Tower, where he loged. And forthwith was proclamacion made through London, that euery man havyng eny prisoner shuld bryng forth the prisoner and his name by IX of the clok vpon Monday folowyng; and euerych of theym so havyng prisoner or prisoners shuld haue his prisoner or prisoners Restored, or elles competent Reward for theym. And after was dyuers of the said Prisoners Sold, some for XIJ D [6000] and summe for more. And vpon Monday folowyng the lord Awdeley, the forsaid flammok, and the Smyth, whos name was Mychaell Joseph, wer before the kyng and the lordes of his Counsaill wtin the Tower, and there examyned.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
Vpon Midsomerday folowyng the kyng wtin the Tower made dyuers knyghtes, among the which that other shiref of London called Richard Haddon was sent for in the mornyng and there also made knyght.
Ye haue hard before how that the Smyth, Capitayn of the forsaid Comons of Cornewaill, wer taken at the blak heth wt many moo, as the lord Awdley, flammok, and many other; which said Smyth and fflammok wer vpon the Monday, beyng the XXVJ day of Juyn, Arayned in the White Hall at Westmynster, and there adiuged; and vpon the morow, Tuesday [27th June 1497] folowyng, the said Smyth and fflammok wer drawen from the Tower through the Citie vnto Tiborn; and ther hanged till they wer dede, and after stryken downe, and heded and after quarterid.
And the same day [27th June 1497] was the lord Awdley (age 34) had from the Tower to Westm'. the Axe of the Tower borne byfore hym. And there in the White hall a-Reyned and adiuged; and that after none drawen from Westm' vnto Newgate, and there Remayned all nyght. And vpon Weddensday in the mornyng, aboute IX of the Clok, drawen from the said Gaole of Newgate [Map] vnto the Tower hill wt a cote armour vpon hym of papir, all to torne; and there his hede stryken off: vpon whos Soule, and all christen god haue mercy! amen! And after his hede set vpon the Brigge. The cause of Rysyng of those Comons was after the Comon ffame for the graunt of swich money as was graunted at the last parliament, for the which the said Comons put in blame the Archbisshop of Caunterbury, my lord Cardynall, also the Archebisshop of Durham, the Bisshop of Bathe, Sir Reynold Bray and Sir Thomas Lovell, knyghtes, wt other ; which persones their myendes was to have distroyed; this was their owteward Colour, what their Inward intent was God knoweth, but what hath ensued of like besynesse is euydent, as by Jak Straw, Jak Cade, and other.
And vpon Saterday [1st July 1497] next folowyng was their three hedes set vpon London Brigge. And the IIIJ quarters of the forenamed flammok wer set vpon IIIJ Gates of the Citie of London, that is to wete Ludgate, Newgate, Crepylgate, and Aldrichgate. And the IIIJ quarters of the Smyth wer sent into Devenshire and Cornewaill, as it was Reported. And the Trunke of the lord Awdley was buryed wt in the chirch of the blak ffreres wtin Ludgate, fast by the Chapell of the Erle of Worcetir.
This yere aboute Bertilmew tyde was shewed of Credible persones that in Saynt nede a Towne in Bedford shire and in the ffeldes there adioynant fill haile Stonys, that were mesured XVIIJ vnchis aboute, which bete downe the Corn standyng that it came neuer to good.
Also this year was concluded a Mariage bitwene my Lord Prynce and one of the doughters of the kyng of Spayn.
9th September 1497. The ixth day of Septembre, beyng Saterday, was-set vpon the pillery in Cornhill a man for gaderyng of money by a forged pardon.
September 1497. This yere Reigned in this Land a wonderful syknesse called, the Spaynyssh pokkes [probably Syphilis], which contynued vpon mennys bodyes yere or they wer fully healed.
September 1497. Also this present moneth of Septembre landed in Cornewall Perkyn Werbek (age 23) wt iij smale Shippes only, and wt hym to the numbre of an hundreth or vj score persones, which entred ferther vnto a Towne called Bodman, where he was accompaned wt iij or iiij ml men of Rascayll and most parte naked men. And there proclaymed hym silf kyng Richard the iiijwth, And Second Son vnto kyng Edward the iiijwth late kyng of Englond.
17th September 1497. And vpon Saynt Mathewes day [21st September] came certeyn tydynges vnto the Mayre that vpon the Sonday before, beyng the xvijwth day of Septembre, the said Perkyn (age 23) and his complices assawted the Citie of Exetir [Map] at ij Gates, that is to sey the Northgate and the East Gate; where by the power of therle of Devenshire and the Citezeins he was put of, and to the numbre of CC. men of the said Perkyns slayn.
18th September 1497. And vpon the Monday folowyng he [Perkin Warbreck (age 23)] and his people made a new assawte vpon the said Citie [Exeter [Map]], where agayn they wer put of to their more Damage. Albeit that they fired the Gates; at which said Second assawte the Erle of Devenshire was hurt in the arme wt an arowe. And when the said Perkyn and his Companye Sawe they myght not opteyne their purpoos agayn the Citie of Excetir they wwtdrew theym toward Taunton [Map];
20th September 1497 ... where vpon the Weddensday folowyng he [Perkin Warbreck (age 23)] mustrid, havyng to the numbre, as it was said, of viij Ml men; how be it they wer pore and naked. And the nyght folowyng aboute mydnyght the said Perkyn wt Ix horsmen accompanyed fled secretly fro the pore Comons levyng theym amased and disconsolat. And after my Lord Chamberleyn, havyng knowlege of this his departure, sent toward the Sees side CC. Sperys to Stoppe hym from the See, and to Serche the Cuntrey yf they myght take hym.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
22nd September 1497. And vpon the ffriday John Heyron, Mercer, which before tyme had fledde the Citie of London for dette, and one Skelton wt one Asteldy, a Scryvainer, which iij persones wer the moost worthy of his [Perkin Warbreck (age 23)] Counseill, came vnto Bewdely [Map], a Sayntwary beside Southampton; and there Registred theym self. And in this while one James a Rover, which had gadered in his cumpanye to the numbre of vj or vij C. Rebelles, Sechyng the forsaid Perkyn to haue assisted hym, mette wt the Provost of Peryn, and brought hym vnto Taunton aforsaid; and there in the Market place slewe hym pytuously, in such wise that he was dismembred and kutte in many and sundry peces. The cause as it was said was for that he was one of the Occasioners of the Rebellyng of the Cornysshe men; for he was one of the commyssioners in that Cuntre and gadered, as they said, more money than came vnto the kynges vse. But what so euer the cause was, foule and piteously was he murderid; vpon whose Soule and all Cristen Jhesu haue mercy! Amen!
26th September 1497. And the Tuesday folowyng came vnto Westmynster a chape leyn of the said Perkyn (age 23), and one of his Chief Counseill wt other also to Seynt Martyns; and thus his disciples fled from theyir fayned Maister; the forsaid preest was named Sir William Lounde, sumtyme chapeleyn and Stieward of houshold wt Sir Rauf Hastynges, knyght,from whome full falsly and traytrously the said preest wt certeyn money and Juelles to a good Substaunce stale away from the said Sir Rauf, and so departed ouer the see vnto the said Perkyn; and there abode still wt hym by the Space of iij or iiij yeres to the grete trowble and daunger of the forsaid Sir Rauf Hastynges.
1st October 1497. And vpon the Sonday next folowyng came certeyn tydynges from the kyng vnto the Maire, of the takyng of the said Perkyn wt in the Sayntwary of Bewley [Map] aforsaid; wherfore the Mair, wt his Brethern assemblid, went forthwt aboute x of the Clok iii the mornyng vnto poules, and there caused Te Deum. to be solempnly songen, which was the first day of Octobre.
And after this came certeyn writyng vnto the Maire that the said persone was brought vnto the kynges presence vnto Taunton, where the kyng pardoned hym of his lif and John Heron also; and so from thens he awayted vpon the kynges grace Rydyng his progresse westward.
3rd October 1497. And vpon Tuesday, beyng Saynt Lukes Even, the Quene, comyng from Walsyngham, came through the Citie Receyved by the Mair and his Brethern vpon horsbak at Bisshopes Gate. And from thens so conveyed vnto the warderobe by the blak ffreres, where she loged that nyght and the Day folowyng;
21st October 1497 ... and from thens to Shene, where to her Grace was brought, the Saterday before Saynt Symon and Jude, the wif of Perkyn [Catherine Gordon] aforsaid; which said wif was a Scottissh woman and doughter vnto the Erie of Huntley (age 42) of Scotland.
18th November 1497. This yere the Saterday, beyng the xviijth day of Nouembre, the kyng came vnto his manoir of Shene after his long beyng at Excetir. And vpon the Weddensday folowyng he came by land to Lambhith, and there toke his Barge and came vnto Westm'., where the Mair, wt his Brethern, receyved hym in the paleis, wt dyuers of the Citesyns to the numbre of iiijxx, of euery ffeliship a certeyn assigned in their last lyuereys. At which Season the forsaid Persone Perkyn (age 23) came also before the kyng, vpon whome the same season and other dayes folowyng was moch wonderyng, and many a Curse throwen at his hede.
Here after ensueth the Confession of the said Perkyn and Pedygre.
"ffirst it is to be knowen that I [Perkin Warbreck] was born in the Towne of Turney1 and my ffaders name is called John2 Osbek; which said John Osbek was controller of the Towne of Turney. And my moders name is Kateryn de ffaro. And one of my Grauntsires vpon my ffaders side was called Deryk Osbek, which died; after whos deth my grauntmother was maried vnto the wtin named Petir flamme; and that other of my grauntsires was called Petir flam3, which was Receyvour of the forsaid Towne of Turney and Deane of the Botemen that be4 vpon the watir or Ryver of Leystave5. And my Grauntsire vpon my moders side was called Petir6 ffaro, the which had in his kepyng the keys of the Gate of Seynt Johns, wtin the abouenamed Towne of Turney, Also I had an Vncle named Maister John Stalyn dwellyng in the parisshe of Saynt Pyas wtin the same Towne, which had maried my ffaders Sister, whose name was Johane or Jane, wt whom I dwelled a certeyn season; and afterward I was led by my moder to Andwarp for to lerne flemmysshe in an house of a Cosyn of myne, officer of the said Towne, called John Stienbek, wt whome I was the Space of half a yere. And after that I retourned agayn vnto Turney by reason of the warres that wer in fflaunders. And wtin a yere folowyng I was sent wt a Merchaunt of the said Towne of Turney named Berlo, and his Maister's name Alex., to the Marte of Andwarp, where as I fill syke, which sykenesse contynued vpon me v, monethes7; and the said Berlo set me to boorde in a Skynners hous, that dwelled beside the hous of the Englessh nacion. And by hym I was brought from thens to the Barowe Marte8, and loged at the Signe of thold man, where I abode the space of ij monethes.
Note 1. Turney in Flaunders, Hall.
Note 2. name is John, Hall.
Note 3. Hall omi'/s and that other ... flam.
Note 4. rowe, Hall.
Note 5. Ryuer, called Leschelde, Hall.
Note 6. was Peter, Hall.
Note 7. contynued vpon fyue monethes, Hall.
Note 8. to Barowe marte, Hall.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
And after this the said Berlo set me wt a merchaunt in Middelborough to seruice for to lerne the language, whose name was John Strewe, wt whome I dwelled from Cristmas vnto Easter; and than I went into Portyngale in the Cumpany of Sir Edward Bramptons wif in a Ship which was called the Quenes Ship. And whan I was comen thider I was put in seruice to a knyght that dwelled in Lusshebourne, which was called Petir Vacz de Cogna, wt whome I dwelled an hole yere, which said knyght had but one Iye; and than because I desired to se other Cuntrees I toke licence of hym. And than I put my silf in seruice wt a Breton, called Pregent Meno, the which brought me wt hym into Ireland. And whan we wer there aryved in the Towne of Corke, they of the Towne, because I was arayed wt some clothes of silk of my said Maisters, came vnto me and threped vpon me that I shuld be the Duke of Clarence sone, that was before tyme at Develyn.
And for as moch as I denyed it there was brought vnto me the holy Euaungelist and the Crosse by the Mayre of the Towne, which was called John Lewelyn1; and there in the presence of hym and other I toke myn Othe as trouth was that I was not the forsaid Dukes Son, nother of none of his blood. And after this came vnto me an Englissh man, whose name was Steffe Poytron, wt one John Water, and said to me in sweryng grete Othis, that they knew wele I was kyng Richardes Bastarde Son; to whome I answerd wt hie2 Othis that I were not. And than they advised me not to be afiferd but that I shuld take it vpon me Boldly, and iff I wold so do they wold ayde and assiste me wt all theyr powr agayn the kyng of Englond; And not only they, but they were well assured that therles of Desmond and Kildare shuld do the same, ffor they forsid not what party3 so that they myght be revenged vpon the kyng of Englond; and so agaynst my will made me to lerne Inglisshe, and taught me what I shuld doo and say. And after this they called me Duke of York, the Second Son of kyng Edward the ffourth, because kyng Richardes Bastarde Son was in the handes of the kyng of Englond. And vpon this the said John Water, Steffe Poytron, John Tiler, Huberd Bourgh, wt many other, as the forsaid Erles, entred into this fals Quarell. And wt in short tyme after this the fifrensshe kyng sent vnto me an Embasset4 into Irelond, whose names was loyte Lucas and Maister Steffes fifrion5, to aduertise me to come into ffraunce; and thens I went into ffraunce, and from thens into fflaunders, and from fflaunders into Ireland, And from Ireland into Scotland, and so into Englond."
Note 1. le Wellen, Hall.
Note 2. like, Hall.
Note 3. forced not what parte they tooke. Hall.
Note 4. sent an Ambassador, Hall.
Note 5. Stephyn Fryam, Hall.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
28th November 1497. The Tuesday before Seynt Andrewis day, beyng the xxviij day of Nouembre, the sayd Perkyn (age 23) was conueyd vpon horse bak thorowh Chepe [Map] and Cornehyll [Map] vnto the Towr of London; and after hym was also on horse bak, clad in armittes abyt, a man, ffast bound hondes and ffete, which some tyme was, as it was reportyd, Sargeaunt fferrour vnto owir Souerayn Lord the kyng Henry the vijth, also lad vnto the sayd Towir and ther lefte as prisoner; which said fferrour departyd oute of the kynges seruice long tyme before and went vnto the said Perkyn, and became his seruant and was wt hym yeris and days, and after the said Perkyns takyng, wandrid abowte in the habit and ffourme of an Ermyte, and so was takyn and browght vnto the kyng. And after thys prisoner thus lafte in the Tower the said Perkyn was conueyd ayen thorwth Candylwyke strete, and so ageyn thorwth Chepe toward Westmynst'. with many a curse and wonderyng Inowth.
4th December 1497The Monday next ffolowyng, beyng the iiijth day of Decembre, the forsaid fferrour and one callid Edwardes, which some tyme had ben in seruice wt - the Quens grace in the Roume of a yoman, wer drawen from the towir to Tibome and ther hangyd; and the said fferrour hedyd and quarteryd, and after bothe buryed in the ffrere Austyns: vpon whos sowlys god haue mercy! Amen
23rd November 1499. And vpon the satirday folowyng next, beyng seynt Clementes Obitus day, was drawen from the Tour vnto Tybourne Perkyn or Peter Warbek (age 25) and one John a Water, some tyme Mair of Corf1, as before is said; at which place of Execucion was ordeyned a small Scafold, whervpon the said Perkyn stondyng shewed to the people there in greate multitude beyng present, that he was a straunger born accordyng vnto his former and took it vpon his dethe that he was neuer the persone that he was named for, that is to sey the second son of kyng Edward the iiijth. And that he was forsed to take vpon hym by the meanes of the said John a Water and other, wherof he asked god and the kyng of forgiveness; after which confession he took his dethe meekly, and was there vpon the Galowes hanged; and with hym the said John a Water; And whan they were dede, stryken downe, and their hedes striken of; and after their bodies brought to the ffrere Augustynes, and there buryed, and their heedes set after vpon London Brigge.
Note 1. Read Cork.
28th November 1499. And vpon the Thursday folowyng, which was the xxix [28th] day of Nouembre, was therle of Werwyk (age 24) beforesaid brought out of the Tour bitwene two men, and so ledde vnto the Scaffold and there beheded; and after the body wt the hede leide Into a Coffyn and born ageyn vnto the Tour; which execucion was done bitwene ij and iij of the Clok at after none: vpon whose Soule and all christen Jhesu haue mercy!