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 1637 Mary Saunderson was born.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 22nd October 1662. Hence, it raining hard, by coach home, being first trimmed here by Benier, who being acquainted with all the players, do tell me that [her future husband] Betterton (age 27) is not married to Ianthe (age 25), as they say; but also that he is a very sober, serious man, and studious and humble, following of his studies, and is rich already with what he gets and saves, and then to my office till late, doing great deal of business, and settling my mind in pretty good order as to my business, though at present they are very many.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 1st December 1662. This done we broke up, and I to the Cockpitt [Map], with much crowding and waiting, where I saw "The Valiant Cidd1" acted, a play I have read with great delight, but is a most dull thing acted, which I never understood before, there being no pleasure in it, though done by [her future husband] Betterton (age 27) and by Ianthe (age 25), And another fine wench that is come in the room of Roxalana (age 20) nor did the King (age 32) or Queen (age 24) once smile all the whole play, nor any of the company seem to take any pleasure but what was in the greatness and gallantry of the company.
After 24th December 1662 Thomas Betterton (age 27) and Mary Saunderson (age 25) were married. He obtained the license on 24th December 1662.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 1st February 1664. Thence with Alderman Maynell by his coach to the 'Change [Map], and there with several people busy, and so home to dinner, and took my wife out immediately to the King's Theatre [Map], it being a new month, and once a month I may go, and there saw "The Indian Queen" acted; which indeed is a most pleasant show, and beyond my expectation; the play good, but spoiled with the ryme, which breaks the sense. But above my expectation most, the eldest Marshall did do her part most excellently well as I ever heard woman in my life; but her voice not so sweet as Ianthe's (age 27); but, however, we came home mightily contented. Here we met Mr. Pickering (age 46) and his mistress, Mrs. Doll Wilde (age 31); he tells me that the business runs high between the Chancellor (age 54) and my Lord Bristoll (age 51) against the Parliament; and that my Lord Lauderdale (age 47) and Cooper (age 42) open high against the Chancellor; which I am sorry for.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 28th July 1664. At the office all the morning, dined, after 'Change [Map], at home, and then abroad, and seeing "The Bondman" upon the posts, I consulted my oaths and find I may go safely this time without breaking it; I went thither, notwithstanding my great desire to have gone to Fleet Alley, God forgive me, again. There I saw it acted. It is true, for want of practice, they had many of them forgot their parts a little; but [her husband] Betterton (age 28) and my poor Ianthe (age 27) outdo all the world. There is nothing more taking in the world with me than that play.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th August 1664. Mightly pleased with this I to the office, where all the morning. There offered by Sir W. Pen (age 43) his coach to go to Epsum and carry my wife, I stept out and bade my wife make her ready, but being not very well and other things advising me to the contrary, I did forbear going, and so Mr. Creed dining with me I got him to give my wife and me a play this afternoon, lending him money to do it, which is a fallacy that I have found now once, to avoyde my vowe with, but never to be more practised I swear, and to the new play, at the Duke's house, of "Henry the Fifth"; a most noble play, writ by my Lord Orrery (age 43); wherein [her husband] Betterton (age 29), Harris (age 30), and Ianthe's (age 27) parts are most incomparably wrote and done, and the whole play the most full of height and raptures of wit and sense, that ever I heard; having but one incongruity, or what did, not please me in it, that is, that King Harry promises to plead for Tudor to their Mistresse, Princesse Katherine of France, more than when it comes to it he seems to do; and Tudor refused by her with some kind of indignity, not with a difficulty and honour that it ought to have been done in to him.
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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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 3rd April 1665. Thence home and to dinner, and then with Creed, my wife, and Mercer to a play at the Duke's, of my Lord Orrery's (age 43), called "Mustapha", which being not good, made [her husband] Betterton's (age 29) part and Ianthe's (age 28) but ordinary too, so that we were not contented with it at all.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 29th October 1666. By and by the King (age 36) and Queene (age 56), Duke (age 33) and Duchesse (age 29), and all the great ladies of the Court; which, indeed, was a fine sight. But the play being "Love in a Tub", a silly play, and though done by the Duke's people, yet having neither [her husband] Betterton (age 31) nor his wife (age 29), and the whole thing done ill, and being ill also, I had no manner of pleasure in the play. Besides, the House, though very fine, yet bad for the voice, for hearing. The sight of the ladies, indeed, was exceeding noble; and above all, my Baroness Castlemayne (age 25). The play done by ten o'clock. I carried them all home, and then home myself, and well satisfied with the sight, but not the play, we with great content to bed.
On 28th April 1710 [her husband] Thomas Betterton (age 74) died.
In 1712 Mary Saunderson (age 75) died.