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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Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury is in Shrewsbury, Shropshire [Map].
Around 1190 William Burnell was born to William Burnell (age 18) at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
Around 1247 William Burnell (age 57) died at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
Around 1260 Phillip Burnell was born to Hugh Burnell (age 35) at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
In 1290 Maud Burnell Baroness Lovel and Burnell was born to Phillip Burnell (age 25) and Matilda aka Maud Fitzalan (age 27) at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury. She married (1) John Lovell 2nd Baron Lovel, son of John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel and Joan Ros Baroness Lovel, and had issue (2) 1315 John Haudlo aka Burnell and had issue.
William Burnell was born to William Burnell at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
Acton Burnell Castle is also in Castles in Shropshire.
On 1st August 1264 Phillip Burnell was born to Hugh Burnell (age 21) at Acton Burnell Castle [Map]. He married Matilda aka Maud Fitzalan, daughter of John Fitzalan 7th Earl of Arundel and Isabella Mortimer Countess Arundel, and had issue.
In 1315 Edward Burnell (age 29) died. Baron Burnell extinct. His widow Aline Despencer Baroness Burnell retained Acton Burnell Castle [Map]. His sister Maud Burnell Baroness Lovel and Burnell (age 25) inherited his estates.
On 5th August 1346 John Haudlo aka Burnell (age 79) died at Acton Burnell Castle [Map].
Around 1347 Hugh Burnell 2nd Baron Burnell was born to Nicholas Haudlo Burnell 1st Baron Burnell (age 21) at Acton Burnell Castle [Map]. He married (1) 1375 Philippa Pole Baroness Burnell, daughter of Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk and Katherine Wingfield Countess Suffolk, and had issue (2) March 1386 Joyce Botetort 3rd Baroness Botetort (3) before 29th January 1408 his fifth cousin once removed Joan Devereux 3rd Baroness Devereux Baroness Burnell, daughter of John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux and Margaret Vere Baroness Devereux and Beaumont.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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On 7th November 1827 John Smythe 8th Baronet was born to Edward Joseph Smythe 6th Baronet (age 40) at Acton Burnell Castle [Map].
St Mary's Church, Acton Burnell. A delightful 1280's church, built by Robert Burnell, close to the castle he also built, the chancel is particularly good. There are fine monuments here, particularly one to Sir Richard Lee and his wife from 1591. The nearby castle is looked after by English Heritage and free to visit.