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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Paternal Family Tree: Gage
1503 Death and Funeral of Elizabeth of York
1537 Birth and Christening Edward VI
1541 Creation of Garter Knights
1547 Death of Henry VIII Accession of Edward VI
On 28th October 1479 John Gage was born to William Gage.
On 14th April 1502 John Gage [aged 22] and Philippa Guildford [aged 22] were married.
Around 1503 [his son] Edward Gage was born to John Gage [aged 23] and [his wife] Philippa Guildford [aged 23] at Firle, East Sussex. He married before 27th January 1541 Elizabeth Parker and had issue.
The Antiquarian Repertory. The Sunday [22nd February 1503]. That Masse done the Lords and Laides went to breakfast and in meane tyme the Corps was conveyd into the Chaire which was eniparralled as followeth:
First all the bayles sydes and Coffers were covered with black velvett and over all along of a prety depnes a Cloth of black velvett with a Crosse of White Cloth of gould well frindged drawn with vi [6] horses traped with black velvett and all the draught of the same.
And when the Corps was in the Chest there was Ordeyned an Image or a personage like a Queene Clothed in the very Roabes of Estate of the Queene having her very rich Crowne on her Head her heire about her shoulders her septer in her right Hand and her fingers well garnished with Gould and precious Stones.
And on every end of the Chair on the Coffer kneeled a Gentleman Usher by all the way to Westminster.
On the fore horse and the tyller ij [2] charriott men and on the other vij [7] horses iiij [4] henchmen in black gowns and mourning hood over their heads every horse having iiij [4] lozengs of the quenes Armes beaten in oyle rolled upon sarcenett with fine Gould and the fore horse having one on his forehead and none but he.
And by every horse there was a man of honour a foot with mourning hoods over their heads and at every corner of the Chaire a White banner of our Lady borne by a knight the banners were all White in token that she dyed in Childbed their wereordeyned and appoynted.
Certain knights and Esquires to go by the Chaire and the horse to beare the banner and every each to assist other whose names followeth Sr Edward Haward [aged 27] Sr Henery Wylongby [aged 52] Sr Thomas West [aged 46] sonne and heir of the Lord Lavarres Sr Edward Darell [aged 37] Sr John Petche [aged 53] Sr George Manners [aged 33] Sr Richard Carew [aged 34] Sr Edward Wingfield Sr William Sands [aged 49] Srr Raufe Verney [aged 48].
Sir John Hodelston Sr John Rainsford William Denton Richard Wingfuld Raphe Dacre Xtofer Wylongby [aged 22] [his brother-in-law] Edward Guilford [aged 29] William West John Gawge [aged 23]
Also their were ordyned viij [8] palferys saddled traped and empelled with black velvett for the viij Laidesof honour to follow the Chaire that is to say the Lady Katherine [aged 23] The Lady Elizebeth Stafford [aged 24] The Countess of Essex [Note. Possibly Mary Saye Countess Essex and Eu [aged 29] although she is believed to have married the Earl in 1512. The previous Countess of Essex Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex died in 1484.] The Lady Harbert [aged 27] The Lady Lucey of Mountagne The Lady Anne Percy [aged 17] The Lady Lisle The Lady Scrope of Upsall.
All these Laides Roode alone in their slopps and mantles every horse led with a man a foote without hood in a demy black gowne The ij [2] Chaire drawn with vi [6] horses trapped with Black Cloth and also covered with the same having iij [3] Charriott men in that Chaire was the Lady Anne The Lady Marquesse The Lady Daubeny and the Lady Clifford following the Chaire the horses empelled with black Cloth The Lady Dacres The Lady Verney The Lady Guilford The Lady Darell The Lady Egrernonnt The Lady Risseley The Lady Petche The Lady Bryan and in like manner the iij [3] Chaire in which was the Lady Gordon The Lady Fitzwater The Lady Monjoy and the Lady Bray following that Chaire Mrs Cromer Mrs Burn Mrs, Stafford Mrs Belknappe Mrs Weston Mrs Anne Browne Mrs Brent Mrs Yon Then iiijth Chaire emparelled as before in the which, was The Lady Pudsey Mrs Catesby Mrs Lary Mrs Tendringe Mrs Florence Bruges Mrs Balstrod Mrs Ffog Mrs Fitzharbert and Mrs Jones in the lyke manner as before was the vtb Chaire apperrelled in the Avhich was Mrs Dany Mrs Skilling Mrs Elizebeth Mrs. ITrancs.
Then after them the honest persons citizens of London on horseback in a great number after them the kings servants after them the Lords Servants in great number And from the foremost horse backward they were C of the Kings servants as Marshells servants yeomen and gromes with mourning hoods over their heads bearing a hundred of staffe torches of pure wax.
Here followeth the ordering before the Chaire through London to Westminster.
First next before the foremost horse of the first Chaire The Earle of Derby Constable of England Before him Garter andthe Maior of London The Queenes Chamberlain in manner between the Maior and the Lord Constable before them the Queens Confessor and Aumnoer and before them in manner as ensueth on the left syde the pression of London Also first next to the Corps the kings Chappell before them the quier of Poules and so forth on the same syde the generall pression of London in their ould Custome that is to say the Crossed fryers the white the Augustines and the black and in the middes as farr fourth as they might strydeing the cannells one after another in mourning habitt ijC poore men ewych bearing a weyghty torch.
The manner of the right syde next before the Confessor and aulmoner all the great Lords after there Estate ij [2] and ij [2] together and next before them ij [2] of the Cheif Judges and Mtr of the Rovvles before them knights of the Garter not lords before them the great Chapleines that be of dignitye as the secretary to the king almoner the Deane of York The archdeacon of Richmond The Dean of Windsor and such other Before them the Aldermen of London Before them all knights before them the squires for the Body before them Chapleines of dignitye before them gentlemen and squires before them The Esterlings before them the frenchmen before them the portingalls before them the Venetians before them the Jannayes before them the Lewknors before them the trumppetts and mynsterells on horseback without their instruments before them the messengers.
From Mark lane to Temple bar by estimation were beyond iiij or v thousand torches set all the street along of the parish Churches in there best manner with Crosses pressions and singing antam.es and orasons envyroned the Corps.
Att fanchers were set xxxvij [37] Virgins all in White linnen having Chappletts of white and grene on their heads eiiych houlding a breningtap of wax in the honour of our Lady and that the foresaid good quene was in xxxvijth [37th] year.
Around 1504 [his son] Robert Gage was born to John Gage [aged 24] and [his wife] Philippa Guildford [aged 24]. He married before 20th October 1587 Elizabeth Wilford and had issue.
Around 1506 [his daughter] Alice Gage was born to John Gage [aged 26] and [his wife] Philippa Guildford [aged 26]. She married before 1526 Anthony Browne and had issue.
Around 1508 [his wife] Philippa Guildford [aged 28] died. She was buried at West Firle Church Firle, East Sussex.
Before 1526 [his son-in-law] Anthony Browne [aged 25] and [his daughter] Alice Gage [aged 19] were married.
In 1529 John Gage [aged 49] was elected MP Sussex.
On 15th October 1537 the future Edward VI was christened by Bishop John Stokesley [aged 62] at the Chapel Royal in Hampton Court Palace [Map]. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [aged 48] performed the Baptismal Rites, and was appointed Godfather. Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 64] and Queen Mary I of England and Ireland [aged 21] were Godparents.
King Edward VI of England and Ireland was created Duke of Cornwall, 1st Earl Chester.
Henry Bourchier 2nd Earl Essex 3rd Count of Eu carried the Salt. Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 53] was Godfather and supported the Marchioness of Exeter. Richard Long [aged 43] was knighted. Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex [aged 52], Philip Boteler [aged 45], John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 66] and John Gage [aged 57] attended. Mary Scrope [aged 61] carried Lady Mary's train. Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 54] carried a covered basin. Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex carried the canopy.
Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset [aged 37] helped his young niece the future Elizabeth I to carry the Crisom. Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 41] supported his wife Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter [aged 34] to carry the child. Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 60] bore a taper of virgin wax. William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel [aged 61] carried the train of the Prince's robe. Christopher Barker proclaimed the Prince's titles.
Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset was created 1st Earl Hertford.
Nicholas Carew [aged 41], Francis Bryan [aged 47], [his son-in-law] Anthony Browne [aged 37] and John Russell 1st Earl Bedford [aged 52] surrounded the font.
Henry Knyvet of Charlton Wiltshire [aged 27], Edward Neville [aged 66], Thomas Seymour 1st Baron Seymour [aged 29], Richard Long and John Wallop [aged 47] carried the canopy.
Arthur Hopton [aged 48], Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton and Bishop John Bell attended.
William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton [aged 47] was created 1st Earl of Southampton. Mabel Clifford Countess Southampton [aged 55] by marriage Countess of Southampton.
On 12th November 1537 Queen Jane Seymour [deceased] was buried in the Henry VIII Vault in St George's Chapel in Windsor [Map].
Queen Mary I of England and Ireland [aged 21] was Chief Mourner.
Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 60], Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 53], John Gage [aged 58], Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 20], Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 64], Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 45], Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 39], Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 54], John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 66], Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton and Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 41] attended.
John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt [aged 57] carried the banner.
In 1539 John Gage [aged 59] was elected MP Sussex.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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In 1540 John Gage [aged 60] was appointed Comptroller of the Household.
In 1540 John Gage [aged 60] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
On 31st March 1540 [his daughter] Alice Gage [aged 34] died.
In 1541, probably around St George's Day, 23rd April 1541, King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 49] created four new Knights of the Garter:
306th. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset [aged 41].
307th. Henry Howard Earl of Surrey [aged 25].
308th. John Gage [aged 61].
309th. Anthony Wingfield [aged 54].
Before 27th January 1541 [his son] Edward Gage [aged 38] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Parker [aged 18] were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.
In 1542 John Gage [aged 62] was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
In 1542 John Gage [aged 62] was elected MP Sussex.
Before 14th August 1545 [his son-in-law] John Jenyns [aged 65] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Gage were married.
Annales of England by John Stow. 28th January 1547. Edward [aged 9] the first borne at Hampton court [Map] (by the decease of k. Henry [aged 55] his father) began his raigne the 28 of January, and was proclaimed k. of England, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, and of the churches of England and also of Ireland the supreme head immedlatly in earth under God, & on the last day of January, in the yere of Christ after the Church of England 1546 but after the accompt of them that begin the yere at Christmas 1547 being then of the age of nine yéeres. And the same day in the afternoone the saide young king came to the tower of London [Map] from Hertford, and rode into the City at Aldgate, and so along the wall by the crossed Friars [Map] to the Tower hill, & entred at the red bulwarke [Map], where be was received by sir John Gage [aged 67] constable of the tower, and the lieutenant on horseback, the Earle of Hertford [aged 47] riding before the king, and [his former son-in-law] sir Anthony Browne [aged 47] riding after him: and on the bridge next the warde gate, the archbishop of Canterbury [aged 57], the lorde Chancellor [aged 41], with other great lords of the Councell received him, and so brought him to his chamber of pretence, there they were sworne to his majesty.
On 16th February 1547 Henry VIII [deceased] was buried in the Henry VIII Vault, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. John Gage [aged 67] attended.
In 1553 John Gage [aged 73] was appointed Lord Chamberlain.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 5th August 1553. The v day of August cam in to the Towre my lord Ferrys by .... at ix of the cloke, and so whent he a-for the consell, and so with-in a nowre he was delevered unto ser John Gage [aged 73], constabull of the Towre, and so he had the custody of my lord for that tyme.
On 1st October 1553 Queen Mary I of England and Ireland [aged 37] was crowned I Queen of England and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Edward Courtenay 1st Earl Devon [aged 26] carried the Sword of State.
John Gage [aged 73] bore the queen's train. Edward Dymoke [aged 45] attended as the Queen's Champion. James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy [aged 20] and Henry Parker 12th Baron Marshal 11th Baron Morley [aged 20] were created Knight of the Bath. Thomas Hastings [aged 38] and John Leigh [aged 51] were knighted. Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 80] and Henry Neville 5th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 28] attended.
Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England [aged 38] took part in the procession.
On 25th July 1554 Prince Philip of Spain [aged 27] and Queen Mary [aged 38] were married by Bishop Stephen Gardiner [aged 71] at Winchester Cathedral [Map]. She the daughter of King Henry VIII of England and Ireland and Catherine of Aragon Queen Consort England. He the son of Charles V Holy Roman Emperor [aged 54] and Isabel Aviz Queen Consort Spain. They were first cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
John Gage [aged 74] bore the queen's train.
[his granddaughter-in-law] Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague [aged 16] took part in the Bridal Procession.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 17th August 1554. The 17 of Augusta the King [aged 27] and Queen [aged 38] came by water from Richmond in the after noone, and landed at my Lord Chancellors stayers in St. Marye Overies, and there had a banquett in the Lord Chauncellors [aged 71] howsse [Map], and then passed throughe the parke to the howse at St. Georges, of which Sir John Gage, Lord Chamberlayne to the Queene [aged 74], had the keepinge, and there lay that night and dyned there the next daye.
Note a. The authorities differ widely as to this date. The Grey Friars' Chronicle (p. 91 ) says: "They came not unto London tyll it was the 18th day of Angnst, and then came hothe unto the place in Sothwarke, and lay there that nyght, and the 19th day came into London." And Stow (p. 625): "The 11 of August, the King and Queene remooued to Richmond, from thence by water to Southwarke, &c. And the next day, heing the 12 of August, they rode through Southwarke oner the bridge, and so through London, &c." While Baker's Chronicle reads: "The eleventh of August they remoued to Richmond, the seven-and-twentieth to Suffolk Place in Southwark, and the next day to London," &c. (p. 342).
History and Antiquities of Hengrave in Suffolk. 1555. At the commencement of Edward's reign Sir John Gage [aged 75] assisted at the council; but Somerset prevailing, he retired from the board, and was afterward dis placed from his office of Comptroller, which was given to Sir Anthony Wingfield. He appears not to have attended the council again until the day after the secret meeting at Ely House, when, joining Southampton, then the avowed leader of the Catholic party, he signed the declaration against the Protector. Dudley, who now acquired the ascendancy, was found to be equally a favourer of the reformed church; upon which Southampton and Sir John Gage, on the same day, resigned their seats in the council. Gage and Dudley had both formed alliances with the Guldeford family, one having married the daughter of Sir Richard Guldeford, the other, the daughter of Sir Edward, his younger brother. Nevertheless, a few days before the death of King Edward, at the moment when Dudley, aiming at the crown for his daughter-in - law, the Lady Jane Gray, placed her in the Tower, as well in the affectation of royal state, as for personal security, Gage was super seded in the command of that fortress; which had been conferred on him for life: a fact strongly illustrative of his principles.
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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On 18th April 1556 John Gage [aged 76] died at Firle Place.
On 25th April 1556 John Gage [deceased] was buried at West Firle Church Firle, East Sussex.
History and Antiquities of Hengrave in Suffolk. 25th April 1556. On the twenty-fifth of April, f 1556, his [deceased] remains were deposited in West Firle church, in a chapel, adjoining the chancel, appropriated for the burial place of the family. Attached to the east wall is an altar tomb, with the recumbent figures, beautifully sculptured in alabaster, of Sir John Gage and Philippa his wife; at his feet is a ram, the crest of his family; at her's the crest of Gulde ford, the trunk of a tree, emitting flames of fire. At the west end of the tomb, on a brass plate, are the arms of Gage, quartering St. Clere, and impaling Gulde ford, viz. quarterly, 1st, or, a saltire between four martlets sable, for Guldeford; 2d. argent, a chief sable, over all a bend ingrailed gules, for Halden; 3d. Barry of six or and azure, on a chief, of the first, two pallets between two esquires, of the second, and on an escutcheon of pretence, argent, a pheon sable, for Mortimer; 4th. ermine on a chevron azure, fess between three wolves heads erased azure; 6th. Vairé a canton gules, for Filliol: round the verge of the tomb are the words: Scio quod Redemptor meus vivit, et in novissimo die de terra surrecturus sum, et rursum circumdabor pelle mea, et in carne mea videbo Deum Salvatorem meum, quem visurus sum ego ipse, et oculi mei conspecturi sunt, et non alius: reposita est hæc spes mea in sinu meo. Job cap. xix, versus xx. On a brass plate, at the east end of the tomb, against the wall, in a small canopied recess, are the arms of Gage and St. Clere, quarterly, encircled by the garter, with this inscription:
HIC JACET Jones. GAGE, PRECLARI ORDINIS GARTERII, MILES;
QUONDAM CONSTABULARIUS TURRIS LONDINI; CANCELLARIUS
DUCATUS LANCASTRIÆ; DOMINUS CAMERARIUS HOSPICII REGINÆ MARIÆ; AC UNUS DE PRIVATO CONCILIO EJUSDEM REGINÆ.
ET PHILIPPA UXOR EJUS.
QUI OBIERUNT ANNO 1557,5 QUORUM ANIMABUS
PROPITI ETUR DEUS.
Note f. Strype's Eccles. Mem.
Note g. A mistake for 1556.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th May 1556. The xxv of Aprell was bered lord chamberlayne Gage [deceased] to the quen, with ij haroldes, with a standard, .. [banners of] armes and iiij of emages, and with a hersse and ij [white branches,] ij dossen of stayffes, and viij dosen of skochyons; bered at (blank)
Note. P. 105. Funeral of sir John Gage, K.G. The imperfect paragraph in this page probably relates to the funeral of sir John Gage, K.G. who died 18 April, 1556. He was buried at Firle in Sussex, where a monument with recumbent effigies of himself and his wife Philippa, daughter of sir Richard Guilford, K.G. still remains. See an engraving of it in Gage's History of Hengrave, 4to. 1822, and also a portrait and memoir of Sir John.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Gage was born to John Gage and Philippa Guildford. She married before 14th August 1545 John Jenyns.
[his son] James Gage was born to John Gage and Philippa Guildford. He married Jane Delves.
Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. At Charinge crosse ther stoode the lorde chamberlayne,b with the garde and a nomber of other, almost a thousande persons, the whiche, upon Wyat's coming, shott at his company, and at last fledd to the court gates, which certayn pursued, and forced them with shott to shyt the court gates against them. In this repulse the said lord chamberlayn and others were so amased that men. cry ed Treason! treason! in the court, and had thought that the erle of Penbroke, who was assayling the tayle of his enemeys, had gon to Wyat, taking his part agaynst the quene. There should ye have seene runninge and cryenge of ladyes and gentyll women, shyting of dores, and such a scryking and noyse as yt was wonderfull to here.
Note b. Sir John Gage.