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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Manners
Maternal Family Tree: Ellen Brereton 1477-1541
Around 1566 [his future wife] Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill was born to Henry Knyvet [aged 26] and Elizabeth Stumpe at Charlton-All-Saints, Wiltshire [Map].
In November 1605 Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill died. She married (1) 6th May 1602 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland, son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland, and had issue (2) before 6th January 1605 William Bevill.
Before 1572 [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 20] and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 18] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland and [his grandmother] Margaret Neville Countess Rutland.
In 1578 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland was born to John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 27] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 25].
On 14th April 1587 [his uncle] Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [aged 37] died at his home Ivy Bridge on the Strand [Map] or at Puddle Wharf aka Dock [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Elizabeth [aged 12] succeeded 15th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother [his father] John [aged 36] succeeded 4th Earl of Rutland. [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 34] by marriage Countess of Rutland. He would be Earl for ten months only dying on 24 Feb 1588.
Robert Constable [aged 65] was one of the principal mourners at his funeral.
On 24th February 1588 [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] died. His son [his brother] Roger [aged 11] succeeded 5th Earl of Rutland.
Around 21st March 1595 [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 42] died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
On 5th March 1599 [his brother] Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 22] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland. Childless, unhappy and possibly not consummated. She the daughter of Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 32]. He the son of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.
In November 1601 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 23] admitted Inner Temple.
On 6th May 1602 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 24] and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill [aged 36] were married. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.
After 6th May 1602 [his daughter] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham was born to Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 24] and [his wife] Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill [aged 36]. She married (1) 16th May 1620 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham, son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham, and had issue (2) 1635 Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim, son of Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1603 Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 41] was created 1st Earl Suffolk. [his sister-in-law] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 39] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On or after 4th February 1603, the date of the license, [his brother-in-law] William Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 19] and [his sister] Frances Manners Baroness Willoughby of Parham [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Baroness Willoughby Parham. She the daughter of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland. They were fifth cousin once removed.
On 5th January 1605 King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 4] was created 1st Duke York and Knight of the Bath by his father King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 38]
Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 27] and Thomas Somerset 1st Viscount Somerset [aged 26] was @@appointed Knight of the Bath.
Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2. On Twelfth-Day we had the Creation of Duke Charles [aged 4] now Duke of York; the Interim was entertained with making Knights of the Bath, which was three Days Work. They were eleven in Number, besides the little Duke, all of the King's Choice; namely, the Lords Willoby, Compton, Chandois, and Norres; William Cecyll, Allen Percy, Thomas Somerset [aged 26], Francis Manners [aged 27], Clifford, young Howard, second Son of my Lord Chamberlaine, and Harrington. The Solemnity of the Creation was kept in the Hall, where first the Duke was brought in accompanyed with his Knights, then carried out againe, and brought back by Earles in their Robes of the Garter. My Lord Admiral bare him, two others went as Supporters, and six marched before with the Ornaments. The Patent was read by my Lord of Cranborne [aged 13], and drawn in most eloquent Law Latin by Mr. Attorney; but so, that we have a Duke of York in Title, but not in Substance. There was a publick Dinner in the great Chamber, where there was one Table for the Duke and his Earls Assistants, another for his Fellow Knights of the Bath.
Before 6th January 1605 William Bevill and [his wife] Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill [aged 39] were married.
On 3rd March 1605 [his brother] George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland [aged 25] and [his sister-in-law] Frances Carey Countess Rutland [aged 34] were married. He the son of [his father] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and [his mother] Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In or before 1607 Edward Hungerford and [his future wife] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland were married.
After 26th October 1608 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 30] and Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland were married. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.
On 26th June 1612 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 35] died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His brother Francis [aged 34] succeeded 6th Earl of Rutland. Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland by marriage Countess of Rutland.
On 15th July 1612 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 34] was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.
In October 1612 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 34] was appointed Constable of Nottingham Castle.
On 7th December 1612 Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales [deceased] was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His body had lain in state for a month at St James's Palace [Map]. Two thousand mourners attended in the procession and people of all ages lined the streets. Archbishop Abbott [aged 50] gave the funeral sermon. A magnificent hearse was erected on which was placed his richly clothed funeral effigy. The robes were those worn by the Prince at his creation as Princes of Wales in 1610. This effigy was made by Richard Norris with the plaster face modelled by Abraham Van der Doort.
Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 34] carried the shield.
Henry Zinzan aka Alexander led a horse trapped with black cloth in the funeral procession.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1613 [his son] Henry Manners died.
On 6th April 1617 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 39] was appointed Privy Council.
On 27th June 1618 William Cecil 16th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 28] died. His first cousin once removed Francis [aged 40] succeeded 17th Baron Ros Helmsley. [his wife] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.
On 5th March 1620 [his son] Francis Manners died.
On 16th May 1620 [his son-in-law] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 27] and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Buckingham. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 42] and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 50].
On 2nd April 1624 [his father-in-law] John Tufton 1st Baronet [aged 80] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Nicholas [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 43] by marriage Lady Tufton of Hothfield.
On 2nd February 1626 King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 25] was crowned I King England Scotland and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map] by Archbishop George Abbott [aged 63]. His wife Henrietta Maria [aged 16] was not crowned since she being Catholic refused to attend an Anglican service. She watched Charles at a discreet distance.
Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 52] carried the Orb.
Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 3] bore the Second Sword of State.
Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 41] carried the Spurs.
Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 48] bore the Rod with the Dove.
William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire [aged 8], James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby [aged 19], James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 6], Roger Palmer [aged 49] and Mildmay Fane 2nd Earl of Westmoreland [aged 24], John Maynard [aged 34] were appointed Knight of the Bath.
John Rayney 1st Baronet [aged 25] was knighted.
On 1st November 1626 [his brother-in-law] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 48] was created 1st Baron Tufton. Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 45] by marriage Baroness Tufton.
On 5th August 1628 [his brother-in-law] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 50] was created 1st Earl of Thanet. Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 47] by marriage Countess of Thanet.
Letters of the Duke of Rutland. K. Duchess of Buckingham [aged 28], to her father, the Earl of Rutland [aged 53].
[1631,] April 16. Buckingham House.— "My Lord, I have made your excuse to both ther Majesties for your not being at ther first coming to Grinwiche, which thaye do excuse. This night they both supted att the gatthowse with my Lady Buckingham, where they hade a great supper. Your Lordship will to sonne here the great lose my Lord and Lady Savage has had in the death of my Lady Marques who dyed with an impostome in her checke, and the extreemety of that putt her m a fever. Shee was delivered before shee died of a deed boye. It was a great lose to her father [aged 45] and mother [aged 50] who takes it very hevelve. Mr. Mountague has come out of France. The Queene mother is wher shee was, and the younge Queene [aged 21] in great creedit with the Kinge [aged 30]; she was never so well in her life. Our Kinge Queene and Prince ar very well and so all yours. So humbly craving your blesing for us all. I take my leve.
Your Lordship's most obedient
unfortunat daughter
Postscript. I beseech you present my humble servis to my Lady. Signet.
On 1st July 1631 [his brother-in-law] Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 53] died at Sapcote, Leicestershire [Map]. His son John [aged 22] succeeded 2nd Earl of Thanet, 2nd Baron Tufton, 3rd Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. Margaret Sackville Countess Isle Thanet [aged 16] by marriage Countess of Thanet.
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 format.
On 17th December 1632 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 54] died at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire [Map]. On 20th February 1633 he was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Katherine [aged 30] succeeded 18th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother George [aged 52] succeeded 7th Earl of Rutland. Frances Carey Countess Rutland [aged 61] by marriage Countess of Rutland.
After 17th December 1642 Monument to Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland, [his former wife] Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill and Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
Detail of his Leg Garter.
Detail of the Manner's family Peacock in Pride.
In 1653 [his former wife] Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland died.
[his son] Francis Manners was born to Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland and Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland.
[his son] Henry Manners was born to Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland and Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland.
412th Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Manners 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Manners 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Ogle 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Ros 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Tiptoft Baroness Ros of Helmsley 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St Leger 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas St Leger 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Donet
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York 
Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne York Duchess Exeter 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Paston 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Paston
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Mautby
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Paston
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Brewes
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Brewes
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Debenham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Heydon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bridget Heydon 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Boleyn 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ann Hoo 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 3rd Earl of Westmoreland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Holland Countess Douglas and Avondale 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Booth 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Booth
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Sandes
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Sandes
Great x 2 Grandmother: Edith Sandys Baroness
GrandMother: Margaret Neville Countess Rutland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Stafford Countess of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Charlton
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Charlton 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Mainwaring 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Mainwaring 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Charlton 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: Francis Charlton of Apsley Castle in Shropshire 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Mother: Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Fitton
GrandMother: Cecily Fitton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brereton 10th Lord Brereton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Andrew Brereton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Ellen Brereton