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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In 1543 Thomas Bennett was born.
In 1577 [his daughter] Anne Bennett was born to Thomas Bennett (age 34). She married 22nd October 1584 William Duncombe and had issue.
Around 1584 [his son] Simon Bennett 1st Baronet was born to Thomas Bennett (age 41).
After 1584 [his son] Richard Bennett was born to Thomas Bennett (age 41). He married before 1624 Elizabeth Craddock and had issue.
On 22nd October 1584 [his son-in-law] William Duncombe (age 19) and [his daughter] Anne Bennett (age 7) were married at St Lawrence Jewry.
Around 1586 [his daughter] Mary Bennett was born to Thomas Bennett (age 43). She married 1610 George Croke and had issue.
Around 1588 [his son] John Bennet was born to Thomas Bennett (age 45).
On 7th February 1594 Thomas Bennett (age 51) was appointed Alderman of the Vintry Ward.
In 1603 Thomas Bennett (age 60) was appointed Lord Mayor of London.
On 25th July 1603 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 37) was crowned I King England Scotland and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham (age 67) was appointed Lord High Steward.
On 26th July 1603 Thomas Bennett (age 60) and Thomas Cambell (age 67) were knighted.
On 27th July 1603 William Wrey 1st Baronet was knighted at Whitehall Palace [Map].
On 30th July 1603 Richard Preston 1st Earl Desmond was knighted at Whitehall Palace [Map].
Bishop Thomas Bilson (age 56) gave the sermon. While the wording conceded something to the divine right of kings, it also included a caveat about lawful resistance to a monarch.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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In 1604 Thomas Bennett (age 61) was appointed Alderman of the Lime Street Ward.
Around 1610 [his son-in-law] George Croke (age 50) and [his daughter] Mary Bennett (age 24) were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years.
In July 1611 [his daughter] Anne Bennett (age 34) died.
In 1612 Thomas Bennett (age 69) was appointed Alderman of the Bassishaw Ward.
Before 1624 [his son] Richard Bennett (age 39) and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Craddock were married.
In 1627 Thomas Bennett (age 84) died.