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: Colebrooke
On 14th June 1729 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] James Colebrooke (age 49) at Chilham, Kent [Map].
On 18th November 1752 [his father] James Colebrooke (age 72) died.
In 1754 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 24) and Mary Gaynor were married. She bought significant wealth to the marriage being the heiress of her father Peter aka Patrick Gaynor who had considerable slave-holdings.
In 1754 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 24) was elected MP Arundel which seat he controlled. He held the seat until 1774.
On 12th October 1759 [his brother] James Colebrooke 1st Baronet (age 37) was created 1st Baronet Colebrooke of Gatton in Surrey with a special remainder to his brother George (age 30) since James only had daughters.
In 1761 [his son] James Edward Colebrooke 3rd Baronet was born to George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 31) and [his wife] Mary Gaynor.
On 10th May 1761 [his brother] James Colebrooke 1st Baronet (age 38) died. His brother George (age 31) succeeded 2nd Baronet Colebrooke of Gatton in Surrey. George was left in sole charge of the family bank in Threadneedle Street. He invested some of his wealth in buying control of the borough of Arundel where the family lived. Arundel was not a classic pocket borough, where the power to return MPs was literally tied to property rights that could be freely bought and sold, but a thoroughly corrupt one where bribery was routine and where maintaining influence of the elections required constant expenditure.
Around 1764 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 34) purchased plantations in Antigua (where his wife already had interests), Grenada and Dominica and was a slave-owner.
On 15th June 1765 [his son] Henry Thomas Colebrooke was born to George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 36) and [his wife] Mary Gaynor.
In 1767 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 37) was appointed Director of the East India Company.
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 1777 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 47) moved to Boulogne sur Mer [Map] where he relied on an East India Company pension.
On 21st January 1777 the bank owned by George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 47) was declaredd bankrupt with losses including £190,000 in speculation on hemp.
In 1789 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 59), during the French Revolution, returned to England and managed eventually to pay his creditors in full so that some inheritance was left for his descendants.
On 5th August 1809 George Colebrooke 2nd Baronet (age 80) died. His son James (age 48) succeeded 3rd Baronet Colebrooke of Gatton in Surrey.