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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Paternal Family Tree: Wrey
Maternal Family Tree: Dorothy Reid Baroness St John Bletso
On 3rd March 1646 James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex [aged 25] and [his mother] Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Middlesex. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath and [his grandmother] Dorothy St John Countess Bath. He the son of Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex and Anne Brett Countess Middlesex.
After 16th September 1651 [his father] Chichester Wrey 3rd Baronet [aged 23] and [his mother] Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Lady Wrey of Trebitch in Cornwall. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath and [his grandmother] Dorothy St John Countess Bath. They were fourth cousins.
In 1653 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet was born to Chichester Wrey 3rd Baronet [aged 25] and Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex [aged 22].
In 1668 [his father] Chichester Wrey 3rd Baronet [aged 40] died. His son Bourchier [aged 15] succeeded 4th Baronet Wrey of Trebitch in Cornwall.
In 1678 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 25] was elected MP Liskeard.
In 1678 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 25] was elected MP Liskeard whic seat he held until his death in 1694.
On 3rd May 1681 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 28] and Florence Rolle Lady Wrey [aged 29] were married at St Giles' Church, St Giles in the Wood. She by marriage Lady Wrey of Trebitch in Cornwall. He the son of Chichester Wrey 3rd Baronet and Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex [aged 50].
Around 1682 [his son] Bourchier Wrey 5th Baronet was born to Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 29] and [his wife] Florence Rolle Lady Wrey [aged 30]. He married before 7th January 1714 his first cousin Diana Rolle and had issue.
Around 1685 [his daughter] Florence Wrey was born to Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 32] and [his wife] Florence Rolle Lady Wrey [aged 33]. She married 10th July 1707 John Cole.
In 1686 [his son] Chichester Wrey was born to Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 33] and [his wife] Florence Rolle Lady Wrey [aged 34]. He married 3rd October 1714 Margaret Pyne and had issue.
On 4th February 1692 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 39] duelled with Thomas Bulkeley [aged 59] in which of the six men engaged as principals and seconds five were MPs; two of the seconds were slightly wounded at Hyde Park [Map]. Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet was seriously injured.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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In May 1694 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 41] duelled with James Praed [aged 39]. He was run through the body, Praed being only hurt slightly in the face at Falmouth, Cornwall.
On 21st July 1696 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [aged 43] died. His son Bourchier [aged 14] succeeded 5th Baronet Wrey of Trebitch in Cornwall.
On 18th August 1696 Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet [deceased] was buried at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map]. Inscription: Juxta hoc Marmor depositæ sunt Reliquiæ Bourchieri Wrey Baronetti Honorabilis ordinis Balnei Mitiris Egregys animi dotibus Fortitudine præfertim et amicitia Insignis Ecclesiae pietate, Regi Fidelitate Conspicui filius erat naru Maximus [his father] Chichesteri Wrey de Trebeigh, in agro Cornubienfi Baronetti, E Conjuge [his mother] Comitissa Middlesex [aged 65] Filia [his grandfather] Edvardi Comitis Bathon de antigua et perillustri Bourchierum strirpe nuper extincta Obijt 28vo die July Anno Domu 1696 Ætatis 44to Spe Beatae Resurrectionis.
On 24th August 1724 [his former wife] Florence Rolle Lady Wrey [aged 72] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Wrey of North Russell
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Wrey of North Russell
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Shilstone
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bridget Shilstone
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Wrey 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Killigrew of Woolstone St Ive Cornwall 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanch Killigrew
GrandFather: William Wrey 2nd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Courtenay 2nd Earl Devon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine St Leger 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Courtenay 3rd Earl Devon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Paulet 2nd Marquess Winchester 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Paulett Countess Devon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Willoughby 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Manners 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Neville Countess Rutland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Stafford Countess of Westmoreland 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: Chichester Wrey 3rd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Chichester 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Chichester
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Chichester 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bourchier 1st Earl Bath 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bourchier 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Daubeney Baroness Fitzwarin 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Courtenay 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William "Great" Courtenay 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Cheney
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gertrude Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Gainsford
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Gainsford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Audrey Shaa
GrandMother: Elizabeth Chichester Lady Wrey 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Copleston
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Copleston
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Biston
Bourchier Wrey 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bourchier 1st Earl Bath 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bourchier 2nd Earl Bath 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Daubeney Baroness Fitzwarin 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Bourchier 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Manners Countess Bath 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Kitson
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath
GrandFather: Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Russell 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Wise
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Sapcote of Thornhaugh, Bedfordshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Waldegrave 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Waldegrave 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Mother: Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor
Great x 2 Grandfather: Oliver St John 1st Baron St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Waldegrave
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Waldegrave 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Oliver St John 3rd Baron St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Michael Fisher
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Fisher
Great x 2 Grandmother: Agnes Fisher Baroness St John Bletso
GrandMother: Dorothy St John Countess Bath 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Reid
Great x 1 Grandmother: Dorothy Reid Baroness St John Bletso