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Paternal Family Tree: Molyneux
Around 1338 Thomas Molyneux was born to William Molyneux of Sefton (age 28).
In 1372 [his father] William Molyneux of Sefton (age 62) died.
Thomas Walsingham [-1422]. Thomas Molyneux (age 48) is killed.
Thomas Mulinewes occiditur.
On 19th December 1387 an army of the Lords Appellant led by the future King Henry IV of England (age 20) prevented the forces of King Richard II of England (age 20) commanded by Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland (age 25) from crossing the bridge [Map] over the River Thames at Radcot in Oxfordshire. When Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester (age 32) arrived with further Lord Appellant's men the King's men were encircled. The King's men attempted to force the crossing of the bridge at which time the only casualties occurred including Thomas Molyneux (age 49) who was killed by Thomas Mortimer (age 37). Around 800 men drowned in the marshes whilst trying to escape. Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland narrowly escaped to France.
Thomas Walsingham [-1422]. 19th December 1387. At that time, there was a certain Thomas Molyneux (age 49), who prepared himself for battle, as not all the lords had yet gathered at that place, but only one—Henry, the Earl of Derby, son of the Duke of Lancaster. After fighting for some time, Henry, exhausted and despairing, entered the nearby river. Among the many present, Thomas de Mortimer (age 37), a knight, urged him either to come ashore or be pierced with arrows in the river without a doubt. "If I come ashore," said Thomas, "will you spare my life?" "I make no such promise," replied the knight, "but either come ashore or you will soon perish." To this, Thomas responded, "If that is the case, allow me to come ashore and fight you or any one of you, so that I may die as a man." As he began to ascend, the knight grabbed him by the helmet and pulled it off his head. Immediately, drawing a dagger, the knight pierced Thomas's brain, killing him.
Erat ibi tune dictus Thomas Mulinewes, qui se praparavit ad pugnam, quia nondum Domini cuncti convenerant ad illum locum, sed unus tantum, filius Ducis Lancastriæ, Henricus, Comes Derbeyæ; qui, cum aliquandin pugnasset, fessus et desperans flumen, quod prope erat, ingressus est. Inter multos vero, Thomas de Mortuo Mari, miles, hortabatur ut ascenderet, vel sine dubio eum in flumine sagittis perforaret. "Si," inquit Thomas, "ascendam, visne servare vitam meam?" "Non hoc promitto," ait miles, "sed vel ascendas vel occumbes mox." Cui ille,—"Si sic," inquit, "necesse est, sinas ut ascendam et tecum, vel quocunque vestrum, pugnem, ut moriar sicut homo." In ascendendo autem cepit eum miles per cassidem, et de capite suo traxit, et mox, extracto cultello daggardo, ejus cerebrum perforavit.
Holinshed's Chronicle [1525-1582]. 19th December 1387. Hereupon manie that were with him, cursing this his demeanour, prepared to yeeld themselues to the lords. But Thomas Molineux (age 49) determined to fight it out, sith the lords were not yet all come togither to that place, but onelie the earle of Derbie and certeine others. Neverthelesse, after he had fought a while, and perceiued it would not auaile him to tarie longer, as one despairing of the victorie, betooke him likewise to flight, as the duke of Ireland had led him the waie: and plunging into the riuer, which was at hand, it chanced that sir Thomas Mortimer being present amongst other at the same place, willed him to come out of the water unto him; for if he would not, he threatened to shoot him through with arrowes in the riuer where he stood.
If I come (said Molineux) will ye saue my life? I will make thée no such promise (said sir Thomas Mortimer) but notwithstanding, either come vp, or thou shalt presentlie die for it. Well then (said Molineux) if there be no other remedie, suffer me to come vp, and let me trie with hand-blowes, either with you or some other, and so die like a man.
But as he came vp, the knight caught him by the helmet, plucked it off his head, & streightwaies drawing foorth his dagger,Thomas Molineux slaine. stroke him into the braines, and so dispatched him. This was the end of sir Thomas Molineux, which through his bold and rash aduenture, in a most dangerous and desperat case, he pulled upon himselfe; and might as well haue auoided as incurred, if the same prouident care of safetie had taken him in the head that mooued the duke of Ireland to take flight for his indemnitie: wherein he séemed to remember that there is no safe attempting of any perilous enterprise without dread of danger: for he that can tell when a thing is to be feared, can tell in like sort when it is to be vndertaken; as the wiseman verie sententiouslie saith:
Animus vereri qui scit, scit tutò aggredi. i.e. A mind that knows how to fear, knows how to proceed safely.
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All About History Books
The 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." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
In 1397 Thomas Mortimer (age 47) was charged with treason for having killed Thomas Molyneux at the Battle of Radcot Bridge. Ordered to surrender himself with three months he decided to flee to Scotland.