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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Ampthill, Bedfordshire is in Bedfordshire.
On 19th November 1516 Elizabeth Hussey Countess Kent died at Ampthill, Bedfordshire.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 14th July 1541. The 14th daie of Julie the Kinges Grace sent to the Lord Major of Londona from Anthill, by Philiper, one of his Yeomen of [the] Grarde, a great stagge and tow fatt buckes, to make merie with his brethren the Aldermen; wherfore, the sevententh daie of this month, being Soundaie, my lord major had to dynner with him at his house nynetene aldermen besides himself, which made twentithe, and divers of their wiffes, to eate the venery; and that daie after dinner at his table, sittinge [as host], chose Mr. Rowland Hill [aged 43], mercer, and a Comminer, sherive for the Kinge for the next yeare, according to the old custome of this citie.
Note a. Sir William Roche.
Ampthill Castle, Bedfordshire is also in Castles in Bedfordshire.
After 1415 Ampthill Castle, Bedfordshire [Map] was commissioned by John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke [aged 51] paid for with ransoms from the Battle of Agincourt.
On 11th December 1443 John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke [aged 79] died at Ampthill Castle, Bedfordshire [Map]. He was buried at Blackfriars Priory, Ludgate. Baron Fanhope, Baron Milbroke extinct.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 9th July 1528. R. O. St. P. I. 312. 4486. Hennege [aged 48] to Wolsey.
I delivered the King your letters, for which he thanks you, especially for the good news out of Italy from Dr. Stevyns. He has heard that my Lady Marquese of Exeter [aged 25] is sick of the sweat, and he will therefore remove upon Saturday to Ampthill [Map]. He has ordered all who were in the Marquis's company to depart. He is glad you have made your will, "and ordered yourself anenst God," as he has done. He intends to send his will to you, by which you will perceive his hearty mind towards you above all men living. By the death of one of his chapel, divers gifts have fallen, which he desires may be stayed until you have further knowledge of his pleasure. "Also he desireth your Grace that he may hear every second day from you how you do; for I assure you every morning, as soon as he cometh from the Queen, he asketh whether I hear anything from your Grace." He has told Herytage what alterations he desires here. Tittenhanger [Map], 9 July.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 22nd July 1528. R. O. 4546. Hennege to Wolsey.
This day I received your letter, with one to the chapter of Lincoln, in favour of my brother, the archdeacon of Oxford, for the deanery of Lincoln; which, without your aid, had not taken effect. As the plague is at Grafton [Map], the King will not go there. As for your wish that Wilson should have some promotion, the King is in doubt whether he shall give the archdeaconry of Oxford to Mr. Wilson or Dr. Bell. The King cannot write, in consequence of his head, and begs you will send him the presentation of the prebend of Ripon, as you promised him. The vicarage you gave to Dr. Wilson was resigned to Dr. Daycots for a pension five years ago. The King wishes you to dispatch the earl of Angus's servant. He will not fail to send you "these letters of Ireland" in two or three days, but his head is not the best, or he would have dispatched them now. He desires you to be good lord to his barber Penne, for the daughter and ward unto your Grace, of one Chevall, within the liberties of St. Alban's, for his money. It is not in value above £12 a year, her father hath tangled it so, and laid it to mortgage for £60. Cade can inform you of the truth. Ampthill [Map], 22 July, about 7 in the afternoon. Signed.
Pp. 2. Add. Endd. Wolsey has written at the back "intangellyd."
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. Around 8th April 1533. And the Wednesdaie before the good Queene Katherinf was deposed at Hanthill [Map]a by the Duke of Norfolke [aged 60], the Duke of Suffolke [aged 49], and Lord Marques of Exceter [aged 37], my Lorde of Oxforde [aged 62], Lord Chamberlaine of the Kinges howse, Mr. Treasorer and Mr. Controwler of the Kinges howse. And from that dale after to be called Ladie Catherin, wife of Prince Arthur, dowarie of Englande,b she to have by yearelie pencion for her dowarie eight thousand poundes sterlinge.
Note f. The general opinion in England was distinctly adverse to the divorce. See Calendar of State Papers preserved in the Archives of Venice, vol. iv. 1532-3.
Note a. Ampthill [Map], in Bedfordshire, to which place Queen Katharine retired while the question of her dirorce was under discussion. This castle had been erected by Lord Fanhope, and reverted with the manor to the Crown in the reign of Edward IV, by whom it was conferred on Lord Grey of Ruthin, Earl of Kent, from whose descendants it passed again to the Crown about 1530, and became a palace of Henry VIII [aged 41].
Note b. Princess Dowager of Wales, which designation was displeasing to the ex-queen, who refused to resign herself to the judgment passed. She went so far as to obliterate with her own pen the words "Princess Dowager" whererer they had been written by her Chamberlain, Mountjoy [aged 55], in his report to the King.
Ellis' Letters. Ande fyrste as towchyng the small determynacion and concludyng of the matter of devorse betwene my Lady Kateren and the Kyngs Grace, whiche said matter after the Convocacion in that behalf hadde determyned and aggreed accordyng to the former consent of the Vniversites, yt was thowght convenient by the Kyng and his lernyd Councell that I shuld repayre unto Dunstable, which ys within iiij. myles vnto Amptell [Map], where the said Lady Kateren [aged 47] kepeth her howse, and there to call her before me, to here the fynall Sentance in this said mateir. Notwithstandyng she would not att all obey therunto, for whan she was by doctour Lee cited to appear by a daye, she utterly refused the same, sayinge that inasmoche as her cause was before the Pope she would have none other judge; and therfore woulde not take me for her judge.
Nevertheless the viij th daye of Maye [8th May 1533], accordyng to the said appoyntment, I came vnto Dunstable, my Lorde of Lyncoln [aged 60] beyng assistante vnto me, and my Lorde of Wyncehester [aged 50], Doctour Bell, Doctour Claybroke, Doctour Trygonnel, Doctour Hewis, Doctour Olyver, Doctour Brytten, Mr. Bedell, with diuerse other lernyd in the Lawe beyng councellours in the Lawe for the King's parte: and soo there at our commyng kepte a Courte for the apperance of the said Lady Kateren, where were examyned certeyn witnes whiche testified that she was lawfully cited and called to appere, whome for fawte of apperance was declared contumax; procedyng in the said cause agaynste her in pænam contumaciam as the processe of the Lawe thereunto belongeth; whiche contynewed xv. dayes after our cummyng thither. And the morow after Assension daye I gave finall Sentance therin, howe that it was indispensable for the Pope to lycense any suche marieges.
Around 1155 William Boclande was born at Westoning, Ampthill.
On 28th March 1222 Maud Saye [aged 67] died at Westoning, Ampthill.