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: Hales
Before 1645 [his father] Edward Hales 2nd Baronet [aged 18] and [his mother] Anne Wotton [aged 15] were married.
In 1645 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet was born to Edward Hales 2nd Baronet [aged 19] and Anne Wotton [aged 16].
On 12th July 1669 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet [aged 24] and Frances Windebank [aged 23] were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].
In 1672 [his son] John Hales 4th Baronet was born to Edward Hales 3rd Baronet [aged 27] and [his wife] Frances Windebank [aged 26]. He married (1) 1695 Mary Catherine Bellings-Arundell Baroness Arundel Wardour and had issue (2) before 1737 Helen Bagnall Lady Hales.
Around 1684 [his father] Edward Hales 2nd Baronet [aged 58] died. His son Edward [aged 39] succeeded 3rd Baronet Hales of Woodchurch and Tunstall.
Around 1685. John Riley [aged 39]. Believed to be a portrait of Frances Windebank [aged 39] wife of Edward Hales 3rd Baronet [aged 40].
Frances Windebank: In 1646 she was born to Francis Windebank. On 12th July 1669 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet and she were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. In 1693 she died.
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd April 1686. Sir Edward Hales [aged 41], a papist, made Governor of Dover Castle .
John Evelyn's Diary. 5th May 1686. There being a Seale It was fear'd we should be requir'd to passe a doquett dispensing with Dr Obadiah Walker [aged 70] and four more, whereof one was an apostate curate of Putney, ye others officers of University College, Oxford, to hold their masterships, fellowships, and cures, and keepe publiq schooles, and enjoy all former emoluments, notwithstanding they no more frequented or us'd the public formes of prayers or communion with ye Church of England, or took ye test and oathes of allegiance and supremacy, contrary to 20 Acts of Parliament; which dispensation being also contrary to his Ma*'s [aged 52] owne gracious declaration at ye beginning of his reigne, gave umbrage (as well it might) to every good Protestant, nor could we safely have pass'd it under the Privy Seale, wherefore it was done by immediate warrant, sign'd by Mr. Solicitor. This Walker was a learned person, of a monkish life, to whose tuition I had more than 30 yeares since recommended the sonns of my worthy friend Mr. Hyldyard of Horsly in Surrey, believing him to be far from what he prov'd, an hypocritical conceal'd Papist, by wch he perverted the eldest sonn of Mr. Hyldyard, Sr Edwd Hale's [aged 41] eldest sonn, and severall more, to the greate disturbance of the whole Nation, as well as of the University, as by his now publiq defection appear'd. All engines being now at work to bring in Popery, wch God in mercy prevent! This day was burnt in the old Exchange, by the common hangman, a translation of a booke written by ye famous Monsr Claude, relating onely matters of fact concerning the horrid massacres and barbarous proceedings of ye French King [aged 47] against his Protestant subjects, without any refutation of any facts therein; so mighty a power and ascendant here had the French Ambass', who was doubtlesse in greate indignation at the pious and truly generous charity of all the Nation, for ye reliefe of those miserable sufferers who came over for shelter. About this time also the Duke of Savoy [aged 19], instigated by ye French King to extirpate the Protestants of Piedmont, slew many thousands of those innocent people, so that there seem'd to be an universal designe to destroy all that would not go to masse, throughout Europe. Quod avertat D. O. M! No faith in Princes!
John Evelyn's Diary. 29th June 1688. Note, they denied to pay the Lieutenant of the Tower (Hales [aged 43], who used them very surlily), any fees, alleging that none were due.
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th December 1688. I saw the King [aged 55] take barge to Gravesend, Kent [Map] at twelve o'clock-a sad sight! The Prince [aged 38] comes to St. James's [Map], and fills Whitehall with Dutch guards. A Council of Peers meet about an expedient to call a Parliament; adjourn to the House of Lords. The Chancellor, Earl of Peterborough [aged 67], and divers others taken. The Earl of Sunderland [aged 47] flies; Sir Edward Hale [aged 43], Walker, and others, taken and secured.
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.
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In 1693 [his wife] Frances Windebank [aged 47] died.
Before 1695 [his son-in-law] John Bellew 2nd Baronet [aged 34] and [his daughter] Frances Hales Countess Fingall were married.
In 1695 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet [aged 50] died. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 4th Baronet Hales of Woodchurch and Tunstall.
In 1695 [his son] John Hales 4th Baronet [aged 23] and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Bellings-Arundell were married. She by marriage Lady Hales of Woodchurch and Tunstall.
[his daughter] Frances Hales Countess Fingall was born to Edward Hales 3rd Baronet and Frances Windebank. She married (1) before 1695 John Bellew 2nd Baronet, son of Patrick Bellew 1st Baronet, and had issue (2) after 7th September 1698 Peter Plunkett 4th Earl of Fingall, son of Luke Plunkett 3rd Earl of Fingall and Margaret Maccarthy Countess Fingall, and had issue.
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hales of Tenterden
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hales of Tenterden
Great x 4 Grandmother: Juliana Capell
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Hales
Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephen Harry
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Harry
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Hales of Tenterden in Kent
GrandFather: Edward Hales 1st Baronet
Father: Edward Hales 2nd Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Wotton of Boughton Place in Kent
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Belknap
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wotton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Wotton 1st Baron Wotton
GrandFather: Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton
Mother: Anne Wotton