Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Paternal Family Tree: Cunnington
William Cunnington is in Antiquaries.
2500BC. Marden Henge aka Hatfield Earthworks [Map] is the largest Neolithic Henge enclosure discovered to date in Great Britain; its greatest width is 530m and area is 142,000 sq metres. Within the henge was the Hatfield Barrow which collapsed under excavation by William Cunnington around 1805. It isn't known whether the Henge contained standing stones.
Between 2000BC and 800BC. Oakley Down Barrow Cemetery, Dorset [Map] is a group of around thirty Bronze Age Round Barrows. Many of the barrows were excavated in the early 19th century by Richard Colt Hoare 2nd Baronet and William Cunnington.
In 1751 [his father] John Cunnington (age 21) and [his mother] Elizabeth Cooper were married.
In 1754 William Cunnington was born to [his father] John Cunnington (age 24) and [his mother] Elizabeth Cooper.
Around 1772 William Cunnington (age 18) moved to Heytesbury, Wiltshire [Map] where he was to live for the rest of his life.
In 1787 William Cunnington (age 33) and Mary Meares were married. They had three daughters.
1798. Letter of William Cunnington (age 44)
I have also visited Stonehenge since I saw you, where, in digging with a large stick under those two very large stones1 which fell down about three years ago, I was much surprised to find several pieces of black pottery similar to those found on the above downs, among which was the bottom of a small vessel in form like the bottom of a tumbler glass, but of the same black fine polished pottery above, which I used to think was Roman. I also found several bones of deer or sheep. From these specimens of pottery, the magnitude of this stupendous structure, and other circumstances, I am of opinion our ancestors (if I may so call them) were not so barbarous nor so ignorant of the arts as some suppose them when the Romans first invaded this isle.
Note 1. The stones of the northern trilithon which fell on 3 January 1797.
Archaeologia Volume 15 Section XI Page 126. 1st August 1803. Description of the opening of Golden Barrow aka Upton Lovell 2e [Map] by William Cunnington (age 49).
Archaeologia Volume 15 Section XI Page 128. Description of the opening of Golden Barrow aka Upton Lovell 2e [Map] by William Cunnington (age 51).
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Archaeologia Volume 15 Section XXXIII. Further Account of Tumuli opened in Wiltshire, in a Letter from Mr. William Cunnington (age 51), F.A.S. to Aylmer Bourke Lambert, Esq. F.R.S. F.A.S. and F.L.S. Communicated by Mr. Lambert. Read, Feb. 7, 1805.
On 31st December 1810 William Cunnington (age 56) died.
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1894 V28 Pages 172-173. Opening of Barrows, &c., near Haxon. By William Cunnington.
In June, 1851, I opened a long barrow east of Combe, about half-a-mile from Beach's Barn, and nearly south-west from Everleigh Church, which had been ploughed over for some years, and reduced in height to little more than 4ft. There was no central interment, but at the east end we found a very great heap of large flints, beneath which were many skeletons in complete disorder. A perfect lower jaw with sixteen teeth was brought away. With only two men it was impossible to examine the barrow in the day, so it was reluctantly left.
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1884 V21 Pages 256-263. Some Undescribed Articles in the Stourhead Collection by W. Cunnington, Esq., F.G.S.
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1889 V24 Pages 104-117. Notes on Bowl's Barrow [Map]. By Mr Cunnington.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Cunnington was born to William Cunnington and Mary Meares. She married in or before 1813 her first cousin William Cunnington and had issue.
Bush Barrow aka Normanton 158 aka Wilsford G5 [Map] is a Bronze Age Round Barrow. In 1808 Bush Barrow [Map] was excavated by William Cunnington. It contained a male skeleton with a collection of funerary goods that make it one of the richest burials in Britain. The grave goods include a large 'lozenge'-shaped sheet of gold, a sheet gold belt plate, three bronze daggers, a bronze axe, a stone macehead and bronze rivets.
All the following items are in the collection of [Map] and normally on display. The photographs and information is sourced from Devizes Museum website.
Bronze flanged axehead with traces of coarse cloth visible on the blade, found with a primary male inhumation (near the shoulders). Length 159 mm; width 67 mm; height 10 mm.
Gold lozenge-shaped breast plate made of thin gold covering a wooden plaque and decorated with four nested lozenge-shaped bands of four engraved lines each, the central one of which contains a chequered design with a zigzag design between the outer two bands, perforated at both ends, found with a primary male inhumation (over chest). Length 184 mm; width 156 mm; height 5 mm.
Polished oval macehead made from a fossil coral, perforated through the middle and containing traces of bronze. Found with a male inhumation (by right side) and possibly forming a sceptre. Length 100 mm; width 44 mm; height 40 mm.
Miniature gold lozenge-shaped ornament decorated with three nested lozenge-shaped lines (engraved), found with a primary male inhumation (by right side). Length 31 mm; width 19 mm; height 2 mm.
Copper dagger (Amorico British Class 1a) with a small tang, six rivets and parts of a wooden sheath adhering to the blade (originally with a handle inset with thousands of gold pins), found with a primary male inhumation (near right arm). Length 272 mm; width 80 mm; height 21 mm.
Gold belt hook decorated with four nested rectangular bands of three engraved lines, found with a primary male inhumation (near right arm). Length 77 mm; width 71 mm; height 16 mm.
Bronze dagger (the largest found in Wiltshire) with 6 rivet holes (three remaining) and parts of a wooden sheath adhereing to the blade, decorated with a rounded ridge. Length 330 mm; width 65 mm; height 20mm.
