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: Cavendish
On 10th April 1608 [his father] William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire [aged 18] and [his mother] Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire were married. He the son of [his grandfather] William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire [aged 55] and [his grandmother] Anne Keighley [aged 45].
On 30th May 1620 Charles Cavendish was born to William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire [aged 30] and Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire.
On 3rd March 1626 [his grandfather] William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire [aged 73] died. His son [his father] William [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Earl Devonshire, 2nd Baron Cavendish Hardwick. [his mother] Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire by marriage Countess Devonshire. On 12th October 1616 Henry Cavendish died. Both were buried at St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map].
The monument was behind the altar in the original church but moved to a separate chapel in the new church.
Monument formed two bodies under a low four-poster with black Ionic columns and black covering slab. The monument has been attributed to Maximilian Colt [aged 51].
On 20th June 1628 [his father] William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire [aged 38] died at Devonshire House. He was buried at Derby Cathedral [Map]. His son [his brother] William [aged 10] succeeded 3rd Earl Devonshire, 3rd Baron Cavendish Hardwick.
On 9th April 1632 [his brother-in-law] Robert Rich 3rd Earl Warwick [aged 20] and [his sister] Anne Cavendish Countess Warwick [aged 21] were married at Battersea, Surrey. She by marriage Countess Warwick. She the daughter of [his father] William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire and [his mother] Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire. He the son of Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick [aged 44] and Frances Hatton Countess Warwick.
In 1638 [his sister] Anne Cavendish Countess Warwick [aged 27] died.
On 4th March 1639 [his brother] William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire [aged 21] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Devonshire. She the daughter of William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury [aged 47] and Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury [aged 49]. He the son of [his father] William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire and [his mother] Christian Bruce Countess Devonshire.
On 23rd October 1642 the Battle of Edge Hill was fought at Edge Hill [Map]. The Royal army was commanded by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 41] (with his son King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 12] present), Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland [aged 22] and Richard Spencer [aged 49] commanded the army that included Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 21], Richard Byron 2nd Baron Byron [aged 36], Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland [aged 32], Charles Cavendish [aged 22], Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet [aged 24], Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton [aged 41], Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet [aged 30], John Byron 1st Baron Byron [aged 43] and William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 55].
George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny [aged 24] was killed.
Of the Parliamentary army Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh [aged 34] and Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 51]. Oliver St John 5th Baron St John [aged 39] was wounded.
Samuel Sandes [aged 27] commanded a troop of horse.
Richard Sandes [aged 26] was killed.
Thomas Strickland [aged 20] was knighted on the field for his gallantry.
Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet [aged 24] was knighted by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.
William Dugdale [aged 37] witnessed the battle and subsequently surveyed the battlefield.
John Hinton [aged 38] was present.
Edward Verney [aged 52] was killed.
John Assheton [aged 29] was killed.
Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey [aged 59] was killed. His son Montagu [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Earl Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
William Pennyman 1st Baronet [aged 35] commanded a regiment, of which he served as Colonel, which he led for the King.
Edward Stradling 2nd Baronet [aged 42] fought for the King, was captured imprisoned for seven months, and died a month after his release.
On 2nd July 1643 Charles Cavendish [aged 23] received the Queen and escorted her to Oxford taking Burton-on-Trent on the way at Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire [Map].
On 28th July 1643 the Parliamentary arms commanded by Oliver Cromwell [aged 44] and the Royalist army commanded by Charles Cavendish [aged 23] fought at the Battle of Gainsborough at North Scarle.
Charles Cavendish was killed by James Berry. He was buried at Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire [Map].
On 4th August 1643 the Royalist Newdigate Poyntz [aged 34] died probably from wounds received at the battle.
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 1675 Charles Cavendish was reburied at Derby Cathedral [Map].
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King David I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 14 Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cavendish 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Staventon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Scudamore
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Scudamore 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alys Mathrafal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cavendish 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Carrington Smith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Smith
GrandFather: William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Harwick
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Hardwick 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Pinchbeck
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Pinchbeck 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Greene 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Leeke of Lakeford
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Leeke of Hasland 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Chaworth 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Leeke 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Vaux of Harrowden 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Vaux
Father: William Cavendish 2nd Earl Devonshire 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Keighley
GrandMother: Anne Keighley
Charles Cavendish 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Bruce
GrandFather: Edward Bruce 1st Lord Kinloss