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: Gerard
Before 23rd October 1587 [his father] William Gerard (age 36) and [his mother] Dorothy Ratcliffe were married.
On 23rd October 1587 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet was born to [his father] William Gerard (age 36) and [his mother] Dorothy Ratcliffe.
In 1591 [his father] William Gerard (age 40) was appointed Justice of the Peace Middlesex.
In 1609 [his father] William Gerard (age 58) died. His son Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 21) inherited Flambards House.
In 1614 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 26) and Mary Barrington were married.
In 1614 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 26) was elected MP Wigan.
On 12th October 1617 [his son] Francis Gerard 2nd Baronet was born to Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 29) and [his wife] Mary Barrington. He married in or before 1653 his fifth cousin once removed Isabel Cheeke and had issue.
In 1620 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 32) was created 1st Baronet Gerard of Harrow on the Hill.
In 1621 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 33) was elected MP Middlesex.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In 1624 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 36) was elected MP Middlesex and MP Isle of Wight. He sat for MP Middlesex.
In 1625 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Middlesex.
In 1626 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 38) was elected MP Middlesex.
In 1626 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 38) was appointed High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire.
In April 1640 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 52) was elected MP Middlesex.
In November 1640 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 53) was elected MP Middlesex.
In or before 1653 [his son] Francis Gerard 2nd Baronet (age 35) and [his daughter-in-law] Isabel Cheeke were married. They were fifth cousin once removed.
On 6th January 1670 Gilbert Gerard 1st Baronet (age 82) died. His son Francis (age 52) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gerard of Harrow on the Hill.
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gerard
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Gerard
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Gerard
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Gerard of Astley
GrandFather: William Gerard
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Holcroft
Father: William Gerard
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Page of Sudbury Court in Middlesex
GrandMother: Dorothy Page
GrandFather: Anthony Ratcliffe Alderman
Mother: Dorothy Ratcliffe