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: Cooke
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Fitzwilliam 1504-1588
Before 1523 [her father] Anthony Cooke [aged 18] and [her mother] Anne Fitzwilliam [aged 18] were married.
In 1526 Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley was born to [her father] Anthony Cooke [aged 22] and [her mother] Anne Fitzwilliam [aged 22].
In 1541 [her future husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 20] and Mary Cheke were married.
On 21st December 1546 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 26] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 20] were married.
On 4th June 1550 Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester [aged 17] and Amy Robsart [aged 17] were married at Sheen Palace [Map]. King Edward VI of England and Ireland [aged 12] and [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 29] attended. He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 46] and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland [aged 41].
Around 1556 [her daughter] Frances Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 35] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 30].
On 5th December 1556 [her daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 36] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 30]. She married Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford, son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford, and had issue.
In 1559 [her son] William Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 38] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 33]. He died aged less than one years old.
In 1559 [her son] William Cecil died.
In 1561 [her son] William Cecil died.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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In 1561 [her son] William Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 40] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 35]. He died aged less than one years old.
Henry Machyn's Diary. July 1562. The .. day of July was christened the dowther of Wylliam Harve [aged 52] aleas Clarenceux king of armes, in the parryche of sant Brydes, the godfather Cordall master of the rolles knyght, and the godmothers my [her sister] lade Bacon [aged 35] my lord keper('s) [aged 51] wyff, and my lade Sysselle [aged 36] [Note. Sister of Anne Cooke] wife of ser [her husband] Wylliam Sysselle [aged 41]; and after unto master Clarenshux('s), and ther was a grett bankett as I have sene, and wassail, of epocras, Frenche wyne, Gaskyn wyne, and Reynys [wine,] with grett plente, and all ther servandes had a banekett in the hall with dyvers dyssys [dishes].
On 1st June 1563 [her son] Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 42] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 37]. He married 1589 Elizabeth Brooke, daughter of William Brooke 10th Baron Cobham and Frances Newton Baroness Cobham, and had issue.
On 17th September 1563 Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland [aged 36] died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son Edward [aged 14] succeeded 3rd Earl of Rutland, 14th Baron Ros Helmsley. Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland became a ward of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 30] and was specially under the charge of [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 43].
On 1st July 1564 [her daughter] Elizabeth Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 43] and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 38]. She married 26th February 1582 William Wentworth, son of Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth and Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth.
In or before 1566 [her step-son] Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter [aged 23] and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter [aged 17] were married.
On 25th February 1571 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 50] was created 1st Baron Burghley. Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 45] by marriage Baroness Burghley.
On 16th December 1571 a triple wedding was celebrated at Whitehall Palace [Map].. with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 38] present...
Edward Sutton 4th Baron Dudley [aged 46] and Mary Howard Baroness Dudley [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Baroness Dudley. The difference in their ages was 23 years. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
[her son-in-law] Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford [aged 21] and Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford.
Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester [aged 21] and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. She the daughter of Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 60]. He the son of William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester [aged 45] and Christina North Countess of Worcester. They were third cousin once removed.
On 11th June 1576 [her father] Anthony Cooke [aged 72] died.
On 4th October 1581 Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton [aged 36] died. His son Henry [aged 7] succeeded 3rd Earl of Southampton. His wardship was sold by the Queen to her kinsman, Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham [aged 45], for £1000. Howard then transferred his wardship to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 61].
On 26th February 1582 [her son-in-law] William Wentworth [aged 27] and [her daughter] Elizabeth Cecil [aged 17] were married.
On 5th June 1588 [her daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford [aged 31] died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map]. She shares a monument with her mother Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 62]. The monument rises to twenty-four feet, and is constructed of various coloured marbles, after a design of the Corinthian order. The Latin inscriptions, which are very long, were written by [her husband] Lord Burleigh [aged 67] himself, and set forth the varied accomplishments and the virtues of the two ladies who are represented in effigy in the lower part of the monument. The figure of Lord Burleigh, in his robes, and in a kneeling attitude, appears in the upper part of the monument.
On 5th June 1588 [her mother] Anne Fitzwilliam [aged 84] died.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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In 1589 [her son] Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 25] and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Brooke [aged 25] were married.
On 4th April 1589 or 5th April 1589 Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley [aged 63] died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].
On 4th August 1598 [her former husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 77] died. His son [her former step-son] Thomas [aged 56] succeeded 2nd Baron Burghley. He was buried at St Martin's Church, Stamford [Map] with a large free-standing Elizabethan Period monument under the north chapel arch, in coloured marbles with a figure on tomb chest under an arched canopy supported on paired columns. Attributed to Cornelius Cure. The emblem of the Knights of the Garter on William's left shoulder. Leg Garter. In his right-hand he is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office; originally white.
The inscription on the monument is on contained within three panels: two on the south (Chancel) side, and one on the north (Chapel) side.
Sacred to God most good and great, and to memory. The most honourable and far renowned Lord William Cecil, Baron of Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England, President of the Court of Wards, knight of the most noble order of the Garter, Privy Counsellor to the most serene Elizabeth, Queen of England, &c., and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, under this tomb awaits the second coming of Christ: Who for the excellent endowments of the mind, was first made Privy Counsellor to Edward the sixth, King of England; afterwards to Queen Elizabeth: under whom being intrusted with the greatest and most weighty affairs of this kingdom, and above all others approved, in promoting the true religion, and providing for the safety and honour of the commonwealth; by his prudence, honesty, integrity, and great services to the nation, he obtained the highest honours: and when he had long enough to nature, long enough for glory, but not long enough to his country, quietly fell asleep in Christ. He had two wives: Mary, sister of Sir John Cheeke, knight, of whom ie begat one son, Thomas, now Baron of Burghley; and Mildred, daughter of Sir [her father] Anthony Cooke, knight, who bore to him Sir Robert Cecil [aged 35], knight, Privy Counsellor to Queen Elizabeth and President of the Court of Wards; Anne, married to Edward, Earl of Oxford [aged 48]; and Elizabeth [aged 34] to William Wentworth, eldest son of Baron Wentworth.
Mary Cheke: she was born to Peter Cheke. In 1541 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and she were married. In February 1543 Mary Cheke died.
Elizabeth Cecil: On 1st July 1564 she was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley. On 26th February 1582 William Wentworth and she were married.
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Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Cooke of Lavenham in Suffolk
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cooke
Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip Cooke
GrandFather: John Cooke of Gidea Hall
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Belnap
Father: Anthony Cooke
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Saunders of Banbury in Oxfordshire
GrandMother: Alice Saunders
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Spencer of Hodnell in Warwickshire 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Spencer
Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzwilliam 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fitzwilliam 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Cromwell 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Bernake 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Fitzwilliam 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: William Fitzwilliam 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Mother: Anne Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England