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All About History Books
The 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. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland is in Alnwick, Northumberland [Map], Castles in Northumberland.
Photo of Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map] from the north.
In 1197 William Percy 6th Baron Percy Topcliffe was born to Henry Percy (age 41) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map].
On 10th November 1341 Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland was born to Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy (age 20) and Mary Plantagenet Baroness Percy (age 21) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry III of England.
Around 1359 Ralph Percy was born to Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland (age 17) and Margaret Neville (age 29) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry III of England.
On 20th May 1364 Henry "Hotspur" Percy was born to Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland (age 22) and Margaret Neville (age 35) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry III of England.
On 18th May 1368 Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy (age 47) died at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He was buried at Alnwick Abbey, Northumberland [Map]. His son Henry (age 26) succeeded 4th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 12th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Margaret Neville (age 39) by marriage Baroness Percy of Alnwick.
On 30th November 1384 Thomas Grey of Werke and Heaton was born to Thomas Grey (age 25) and Joan Mowbray (age 21) at the Middle Gatehouse of Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England.
On 3rd February 1393 Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland was born to Henry "Hotspur" Percy (age 28) and Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys (age 21) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.
Around 1395 Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland was born to Henry "Hotspur" Percy (age 30) and Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys (age 23) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Around 25th December 1401 Henry Fenwick was born to Alan Fenwick (age 36) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map].
Warkworth's Chronicle. 1462. Also Quene Margrett1, Herry Duke of Excetre (age 31), the Duke of Somersett, and other lordes2 that fleede England, hade kepte certeyne castelles3 in Northumberlond, as Awnwyk [Map], Bambrught [Map], Dunstonebrught [Map], and also Werworthe [Map], whiche they hade vytaled and stuffed bothe with Englischemenne, Frenschemenne, and Scottesmenne, by the whiche castelle, they hade the moste party of alle Northumberlond.
Note 1. Also Quene Margrett. This was in the year 1462. Towards the end of the year Edward appears to have made a tour to the West of England, perhaps for the purpose of seeing how the country was disposed towards him:- "Deinde Rex Edwardus, Cantuariam peregre profectus, partes meridionales pertransiit, ubi Willielmum Episcopum Wintonie de manibus querentium animam ejus eripuit, insectatores suos graviter redarguit, et eorum capitaneos carcerali custodi emancipavit. Bristollie apperians, a civibus ejus cum maximo gaudio honoratissimè receptus est. [Then King Edward, having journeyed to Canterbury, passed through the southern regions, where he rescued William, Bishop of Winchester, from the hands of those seeking his life, severely rebuked his pursuers, and freed their leaders from prison custody. Upon arriving in Bristol, he was received with the utmost joy and honor by its citizens.]" - MS. Arundel, Coll. Arm. 5, fol. 169, ro. This Chronicle in the College of Arms was first used, as far as I know, for an historical purpose, in a MS. note in a copy of Carte's History of England in the Bodleian Library, where it is referred to on the important testimony of the death of Henry VI. Mr. Black quotes it in the Excerpta Historica, but its value does not appear to be fully appreciated by that author; it is the diary of a contemporary writer on the side of the House of York, and extends to the execution of the Bastard of Fauconberg, and Edward's celebration of the feast of Pentecost which took place immediately afterwards.
The following very curious account of the pageant which received Edward at Bristol is from a MS. in Lambeth Palace, No. 306, fol. 132, ro. I am indebted for it to the Rev. S. R. Maitland, F.R.S., Librarian to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who had the extreme kindness, at my request, to send me a transcript.
"The receyvyng of Kyng Edward the iiijth, at Brystowe.
"First, at the comyng inne atte temple gate, there stode Wylliam Conquerour, with iij. lordis, and these were his wordis:
'Wellcome Edwarde! oure son of high degre;
Many yeeris hast thou lakkyd owte of this londe-
I am thy forefader, Wylliam of Normandye,
To see thy welefare here through Goddys sond. '
"Over the same gate stondyng a greet Gyant delyveryng the keyes.
"The Receyvyng atte Temple Crosse next following;
" There was Seynt George on horsbakke, uppon a tent, fyghtyng with a dragon; and the Kyng and the Quene on hygh in a castell, and his doughter benethe with a lambe; and atte the sleying of the dragon ther was a greet melody of aungellys."
9th September 1461. Sir Bawdan (or Baldwin) Fulford (age 46) was brought before the King, and beheaded at this place on the ninth of September; his head was placed upon Castle Gate. Rot. C. 8. Mus. Brit.
Note 2. And other lordes. Among them was Thomas Lord Roos (age 34). Paston Correspondence, vol. I. p. 219.
Note 3. Certeyne castelles in Northumberlond. See two contemporary accounts of the sieges of these castles, edited by Mr. Black, in the Excerpta Historica, p. 365.
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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.
Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. July 1462. And in ye seconde and later ende of the moneth of luly, was the castell of Awnewyke [Map] yelden unto the lorde Hastynges, by appoyntment.
Chronicle of Gregory [1400-1467]. July 1462. Thys year Quene Margarete (age 32) com owt of Frauns with lij [52] schyppys, with Freynysche men and some Engelysche men in the schyppys. And they londyd in Northe Humberlonde, it was vij dayes be-fore Alle Halwyn tyde. And there sche toke the castelle of Anwyke [Map] and put it full of Fraynyschemen. And then she retornyd in to Schotlonde by water. And there rosse suche a tempaste uppon her that she for soke her schippe, and a schapyd with the bote of þe schyppe. And the schyppe was drownyd with moche of her stuffe and iij [3] grete schippys moo. And iiij c and vj [406] Fraynysche men were take in the chyrche of Hooly Ylond [Map]. Thenn Kyng Edward (age 20) hyrde telle of thys, and made him redy towarde the Northe with many lordys, gentellys, and comyns with hym. And there he layde a sege to Anwyke Castelle [Map], and to the castelle of Bamborowe [Map], and to Dunsterborowe [Map]. Bamborowe [Map] and Dunsterborowe [Map] was kept by Syr Raffe Persy (age 37) and Syr Harry Bewforde (age 26), late Duke of Somersett, and the castelle of Anwyke [Map] with the Lord Hungerforde (age 31). And Bamborowe [Map] and Dunsterborowe [Map] were yoldyn be Syr Raffe Percy and Syr Harry Beuford, late Duke of Somersett, to the Kyngys wylle, whythe the condyscyons that the said Raffe Percy schulde have the kepynge of the ij castellys, Bamborowe [Map] and Dunstarborowe [Map]. The said Syr Raffe Percy and Syr Harry Beuforde, late Duke of Somersett, were sworne to be trewe and faythefulle as trewe lege men unto owre King and sovereign lord Edwarde the iiijthe. And they com to Derham [Map], and there they were sworne byfore owre King. And the King gaffe them his levery and grete rewardys.
In July 1462 William Douglas 3rd Lord Drumlanrig (age 22) fought at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map] during the Siege of Alnwick.
Chronicle of Gregory [1400-1467]. December 1462. And then Kyng Edward (age 20) made Syr John Ascheley, the knyght that fought so manly in Smethefylde with an alyon that calengyd, he was made captayne of the castelle, and Syr Raffe Gray (age 30) constabylle of the said castelle of Anwycke [Map]. And withyn iij or iiij monythys aftyr that fals knyght and traytoure, Syr Raffe Graye, by fals treson toke the said Syr John Ascheley presoner, and delyveryd him to Quene Margarete (age 32), and then delyveryde the castelle to the Lord Hungerforde (age 31) and unto the Fraynysche men accompanyd whythe hym; and by this mene he put the kyng owre sovereign lord out of possessyon.
Chronicle of Gregory [1400-1467]. 12th December 1462. But within schorte tyme aftyr the said Syr Raffe Percy (age 37) by fals colysyon and treson he lete the Fraynysche men take the castelle of Bamborowe [Map] fro him nolens volo [Note. voluntarily]. As for the castelle of Anwyke [Map] alle the men of werre that were of worschip brake out of the castelle by fors and warre and rescuyd Syr Perys de Brasylle (age 52) on xij day by [v] the morne, and they that were with yn the castelle gaffe hit uppe by a-poyntement, &c.
Chronicle of Gregory [1400-1467]. Around July 1464. Alle so the same somer my Lord of Warwycke (age 35) and his brether the Lord Mountegewe (age 33), that was made Erle of Northehumberlond by the King, they ij layde a sege unto the castelle of Anwyke [Map] a gate it by a-poyntement. And in the same wyse and forme they gate the castelle of Dunsterborowe [Map] by the same mene. And thenne they layd sege to the castelle of Bamborowe [Map], and layde grete ordynans and gonnys [Note. guns] there too. And manly they gate it by fors, and toke there yn that fals traytur Syr Raffe Gray (age 32), and brought him unto the King to the castelle of Pomfrete [Map]. And fro thens he was ladde to Dankester [Map], and there his hedde was smete of and sent to London, and it was sette a-pon Londyn Bryge [Map].
Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. The XXVIJth Day of the said Monneth the Qwene departed from Morpath, after the Custom before, to goo to Alnewyk [Map], a Place of th Erle of Northumbelannd. And in Half of the Way cam before hyr, Maister Henry Gray Esquier, well appointed. In hys Company many other Gentilmen, and hys Folks well monted and arayd in hys Liveray, to the Nombre of a Hundreth Horsys.
Two Mylle from the sayd Place, the sayd Erle cam and mett hyr, well acompayned, and brought hyr thorough hys Park, wher she kylde a Buk with her Bow. After which she was conveyde to the said Castell [Map], where sche and hyr Company was welcomed by the said Lorde, the wich maid hyr varey good Chere.
The next Day, the XXVIIJth Day of the said Monneth [28th July 1503], she was all the holi Day in the said Castell, and by the Lord well cheryss, and hyr Company.
Around 1504 Thomas Percy was born to Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 25) and Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland (age 27) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map].
Tudor Tracts Chapter 4. Monday the 29th of August [1547]. All Captains with their bands, that had been mustered, were commanded forward. My Lord's Grace himself did early also then depart the town; dined at Morpeth [Map], twelve miles on the way; and lay that night at Alnwick Castle [Map], with Sir Robert Bowes (age 55) Knight Lord Warden of the Middle Marches; being twelve miles further. Where neither lacked any store of guests, nor of good cheer to welcome them with; in the provision whereof, a man might note great cost and diligence, and in the spending, a liberal heart.
In 1596 Thomas Percy (age 36) was appointed Constable of Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map] by his second-cousin once-removed Henry "Wizard Earl" Percy 9th Earl of Northumberland (age 31).
All About History Books
The 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. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. Lord Duncannon, engraved by William Watts, 1783.
Around 1855. Benjamin Brecknell Turner (age 40). Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map].
The River Aln rises near Alnham, Northumberland [Map] from where it flows past Whittingham, Northumberland [Map], Bolton, Northumberland [Map], Hulne Priory, Northumberland [Map] then passing around Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map] before passing Lesbury, Northumberland [Map] then at Alnwick, Northumberland [Map] it joins the North Sea.
