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Exeter, Devon is in Devon.
The Port Way, Margary's RM4, starts in London and travels through Silchester Roman Fort [Map] aka Calleva Atrebatum, Andover, Hampshire [Map], Winterbourne Gunner, Wiltshire [Map], Old Sarum [Map], Badbury Rings [Map], Dorchester, Dorset [Map], Poole Harbour, Dorset [Map] to Exeter, Devon [Map].
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 876. This year Rolla (age 30) penetrated Normandy [Map] with his army; and he reigned fifty winters. And this year the army stole into Wareham [Map], a fort of the West-Saxons. The king afterwards made peace with them; and they gave him as hostages those who were worthiest in the army; and swore with oaths on the holy bracelet, which they would not before to any nation, that they would readily go out of his kingdom. Then, under colour of this, their cavalry stole by night into Exeter [Map]. The same year Healfden divided the land of the Northumbrians; so that they became afterwards their harrowers and plowers.
Assers Life of Alfred 876. 876. 49. Movements of the Danes.107 In the year of our Lord's incarnation 876, being the twenty-eighth year of King Alfred's (age 27) life, the oft-mentioned army of the heathen, leaving Cambridge by night, entered a fortress called Wareham, Dorset [Map]108, where there is a monastery of nuns between the two rivers Froom [and Tarrant], in the district which is called in Welsh Durngueir109, but in Saxon Thornsæta110, placed in a most secure location, except on the western side, where there was a territory adjacent. With this army Alfred made a solemn treaty to the effect that they should depart from him, and they made no hesitation to give him as many picked hostages as he named; also they swore an oath on all the relics in which King Alfred trusted next to God111, and on which they had never before sworn to any people, that they would speedily depart from his kingdom. But they again practised their usual treachery, and caring nothing for either hostages or oath, they broke the treaty, and, sallying forth by night, slew all the horsemen [horses?] that they had112, and, turning off, started without warning for another place called in Saxon Exanceastre [Map], and in Welsh Cairwisc, which means in Latin 'The City [of Exe],' situated on the eastern bank of the river Wisc113, near the southern sea which divides Britain from Gaul, and there passed the winter.
Note 107. Chiefly from the Chronicle.
Note 108. In Dorsetshire.
Note 109. Dorchester.
Note 110. For the usual Dornsæte.
Note 111. Here the Chronicle. has 'on the holy arm-ring,' on which the Danes, it would seem, were accustomed to swear.
Note 112. Here the Chronicle has: 'They, the mounted army, stole away from the fierd [the English forces] in the night into Exeter.' This, of course, is the true account, while the statement in Asser is incredible.
Note 113. Exe.
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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 877. This year came the Danish army into Exeter [Map] from Wareham [Map]; whilst the navy sailed west about, until they met with a great mist at sea, and there perished one hundred and twenty ships at Swanwich.36 Meanwhile King Alfred (age 28) with his army rode after the cavalry as far as Exeter; but he could not overtake them before their arrival in the fortress, where they could not be come at. There they gave him as many hostages as he required, swearing with solemn oaths to observe the strictest amity. In the harvest the army entered Mercia; some of which they divided among them, and some they gave to Ceolwulf.
Note 36. It is now generally written, as pronounced, "Swanage".
Assers Life of Alfred 878. 878. 52. The Danes at Chippenham.116 In the year of our Lord's incarnation 878, being the thirtieth of King Alfred's life, the oft-mentioned army left Exeter [Map], and went to Chippenham, Wiltshire [Map], a royal vill, situated in the north of Wiltshire, on the east bank of the river which is called Avon in Welsh, and there wintered. And they drove many of that people by their arms, by poverty, and by fear, to voyage beyond sea, and reduced almost all the inhabitants of that district to subjection.
Note 116. Largely from the Chronicle.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 894. This year, that was about twelve months after they had wrought a work in the eastern district, the Northumbrians and East-Angles had given oaths to King Alfred (age 45), and the East-Angles six hostages; nevertheless, contrary to the truce, as oft as the other plunderers went out with all their army, then went they also, either with them, or in a separate division. Upon this King Alfred gathered his army, and advanced, so that he encamped between the two armies at the highest point he could find defended by wood and by water, that he might reach either, if they would seek any field. Then went they forth in quest of the wealds, in troops and companies, wheresoever the country was defenceless. But they were also sought after most days by other companies, either by day or by night, both from the army and also from the towns. The king had divided his army into two parts; so that they were always half at home, half out; besides the men that should maintain the towns. The army came not all out of their stations more than twice; once, when they first came to land, ere the forces were collected, and again, when they wished to depart from their stations. They had now seized much booty, and would ferry it northward over Thames into Essex, to meet their ships. But the army rode before them, fought with them at Farnham, routed their forces, and there arrested the booty. And they flew over Thames without any ford, then up by the Colne on an island. Then the king's forces beset them without as long as they had food; but they had their time set, and their meat noted. And the king was advancing thitherwards on his march with the division that accompanied him. But while he was advancing thitherwards, the other force was returning homewards. The Danes, however, still remained behind; for their king was wounded in the fight, so that they could not carry him. Then collected together those that dwell in Northumbria and East-Anglia about a hundred ships, and went south about; and with some forty more went north about, and besieged a fort in Devonshire by the north sea; and those who went south about beset Exeter [Map]. When the king heard that, then went he west towards Exeter with all his force, except a very considerable part of the eastern army, who advanced till they came to London; and there being joined by the citizens and the reinforcements that came from the west, they went east to Barnfleet. Hasten was there with his gang, who before were stationed at Milton, and also the main army had come thither, that sat before in the mouth of the Limne at Appledore. Hasten had formerly constructed that work at Barnfleet, and was then gone out on plunder, the main army being at home. Then came the king's troops, and routed the enemy, broke down the work, took all that was therein money, women, and children and brought all to London. And all the ships they either broke to pieces, or burned, or brought to London or to Rochester [Map]. And Hasten's wife and her two sons they brought to the king, who returned them to him, because one of them was his godson, and the other Alderman Ethered's. They had adopted them ere Hasten came to Bamfleet; when he had given them hostages and oaths, and the king had also given him many presents; as he did also then, when he returned the child and the wife. And as soon as they came to Bamfleet, and the work was built, then plundered he in the same quarter of his kingdom that Ethered his compeer should have held; and at another time he was plundering in the same district when his work was destroyed. The king then went westward with the army toward Exeter, as I before said, and the army had beset the city; but whilst he was gone they went to their ships. Whilst he was thus busied there with the army, in the west, the marauding parties were both gathered together at Shobury in Essex, and there built a fortress. Then they both went together up by the Thames, and a great concourse joined them, both from the East-Angles and from the Northumbrians. They then advanced upward by the Thames, till they arrived near the Severn. Then they proceeded upward by the Severn. Meanwhile assembled Alderman Ethered, Alderman Ethelm, Alderman Ethelnoth, and the king's thanes, who were employed at home at the works, from every town east of the Parret, as well as west of Selwood, and from the parts east and also north of the Thames and west of the Severn, and also some part of North-Wales. When they were all collected together, they overtook the rear of the enemy at Buttington on the banks of the Severn, and there beset them without on each side in a fortress. When they had sat there many weeks on both sides of the water, and the king meanwhile was in Devonshire westward with the naval force, then were the enemy weighed down with famine. They had devoured the greater part of their horses; and the rest had perished with hunger. Then went they out to the men that sat on the eastern side of the river, and fought with them; but the Christians had the victory. And there Ordhelm, the king's thane, was slain; and also many other king's thanes; and of the Danes there were many slain, and that part of them that came away escaped only by flight. As soon as they came into Essex to their fortress, and to their ships, then gathered the remnant again in East-Anglia and from the Northumbrians a great force before winter, and having committed their wives and their ships and their booty to the East-Angles, they marched on the stretch by day and night, till they arrived at a western city in Wirheal that is called Chester [Map]. There the army could not overtake them ere they arrived within the work: they beset the work though, without, some two days, took all the cattle that was thereabout, slew the men whom they could overtake without the work, and all the corn they either burned or consumed with their horses every evening. That was about a twelvemonth since they first came hither over sea.
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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1003. This year was Exeter, Devon [Map] demolished, through the French churl Hugh, whom the lady had appointed her steward there. And the army destroyed the town withal, and took there much spoil. In the same year came the army up into Wiltshire. Then was collected a very great force, from Wiltshire and from Hampshire; which was soon ready on their march against the enemy: and Alderman Elfric should have led them on; but he brought forth his old tricks, and as soon as they were so near, that either army looked on the other, then he pretended sickness, and began to retch, saying he was sick; and so betrayed the people that he should have led: as it is said, "When the leader is sick the whole army is hindered." When Sweyne saw that they were not ready, and that they all retreated, then led he his army into Wilton; and they plundered and burned the town. Then went he to Old Sarum [Map]; and thence back to the sea, where he knew his ships were.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1067. The child Edric and the Britons were unsettled this year, and fought with the castlemen at Hereford [Map], and did them much harm. The king (age 39) this year imposed a heavy guild on the wretched people; but, notwithstanding, let his men always plunder all the country that they went over; and then he marched to Devonshire, and beset the city of Exeter, Devon [Map] eighteen days. There were many of his army slain; out he had promised them well, and performed ill; and the citizens surrendered the city because the thanes had betrayed them.
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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.
Chronicon ex Chronicis. Around September 1067. After this, winter being near at hand, king William (age 39) returned from Normandy to England, and imposed on the English an insupportable tax. He then marched troops into Devonshire, and besieged and speedily reduced the city of Exeter, Devon [Map], which the citizens and some English thanes held against him. But the countess Githa, mother of Harold, king of England, and sister [Note. Aunt] of Sweyn (age 48), king of Denmark, escaped from the city, with many others, and retired to Flanders; and the citizens submitted to the king, and paid him fealty. Siward, nineteenth bishop of Rochester, died.
Around 1125 Archbishop Baldwin of Forde was born to Archdeacon Hugh Avigo in Exeter, Devon [Map].
On 11th June 1345 Agnes St John Countess Devon (age 70) died at Exeter, Devon [Map].
On 2nd May 1377 Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon (age 73) died at Exeter, Devon [Map]. His grandson Edward (age 20) succeeded 3rd Earl Devon, 6th Baron Okehampton.
Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. 7th September 1497. But, whichever it was, while he lingered in Ireland in a fever of uncertainty, reliable messengers informed him that the Cornishmen, undeterred by their recent disaster, were still badly affected towards Henry (age 40) and ready to take up arms once more to avenge the wrong. And so, thinking it would be useful not to ignore this proffered opportunity, went flying to them without delay. He solicited them, he incited them, he promised them such great things that a stroke he was hailed as their leader, with all men shouting they would obey his commands. Restored to good hope by these things, Peter (age 23) decided that nothing should be done rashly. First he should go in all directions, gaining power over fortified places that could serve for his protection. Then, having increased his forces, he should attack all who offered resistance. Adopting this strategy, he attacked and besieged Exeter, Devon [Map]. Since he lacked artillery to batter down its walls, he only sought to smash its gates opens, and with great vigor he began to pound them with stones, pry at them with steel, heap them with wood, and set them afire. At first, the townsmen, seeing the walls surrounded by the enemy at one point, and a fire to be started at another, were afraid. But they immediately let down messengers from the walls during the night, who were to inform the king. Then they courageously decided to fight fire with fire and, since the bars of the gates were already shattered, they added their own wood to the fire, so that the flames raging on either side would both prevent the enemy from coming within and their own citizens from leaving. And meanwhile they themselves dug ditches inside in front of the entry days and made earthworks. Thus all of the besiegers' efforts around the gates came to naught, and fire rescued the citizenry from fire. Then Peter, of necessity breaking off the fight at the gates, attacked the city at various points where it seemed weaker, and, bringing up ladders, frequently tried to take the walls, suffering great losses. Meanwhile he hoped that the burghers would be overwhelmed either by fear or want of provisions, could be impelled to surrender.
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Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. Around 10th September 1497. Hearing the news, the king (age 40) was no slower in leading an army to Exeter, Devon [Map] than the situation required. He sent ahead a goodly number of light horse to let everyone know of his approach. For meanwhile, under the leadership of Edward Courteney Earl of Devonshire (age 38) and his son William (age 22), an excellent and very brave young man, every noble hastened to come to the aid of Exeter, Devon [Map] with a great company of soldiers. Among these were Thomas Trenchard, Edmund Carew, Thomas Fulford, William Courteney, John Halliwell, John Croker, Walter Courteney, Peter Edgercombe (age 28), and William St. Maurice. When these things came to Peter's (age 23) ears, he abandoned the siege and removed to Taunton, Somerset [Map], the nearest town. There he reviewed his army and drew it up for the coming battle, although it later came to light that he had no great trust in that army. A goodly part were armed only with swords, otherwise unarmed, and ignorant of how to fight.
Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. 4th October 1497. Learning that Peter (age 23) had decamped, Henry sent out horsemen in every direction to follow him and seek his capture, but he, having covered most of the distance, was not seen before he reached the asylum. But not so his captains, who were taken in mid-flight and brought to the king. And the mob, when they could not see Peter nor his captains' standards, having no idea where he was, whether he had been killed by some trick or had fled, were unsure of what counsel to take or what was best to do. In the end, learning of his shameful flight, everybody, immediately unhinged by their common evil, their common fear, their common danger, cast aside their weapons and began to hold up their hands, and out of his kindness the king (age 40) readily forgave them. Being a victor without having had a fight, he went to Exeter, Devon [Map], where he praised the citizenry for having done its duty and extended his thanks, and while there he presided over the execution of some of the Cornishmen responsible for the recent rising. Meanwhile the king's horsemen rode as far as St. Michael's Mount, and there they found Peter's wife Catherine and brought her captive to the king. Henry, marveling at the woman's beauty, thought she was not plunder for soldiers, but worthy of an emperor, and forthwith sent her to the queen (age 31) at London with an escort of honorable matrons, as a sure harbinger of the victory he had won.
Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. [After 4th October 1497]. While staying at Exeter, Devon [Map], the king (age 40) scarcely imagined he had conquered or had removed all occasion for rebellion, unless he were to lay his hands on Peter (age 23), the head man of that plague. First he surrounded the asylum [Map] by two squadrons of horse so that no hope of escape would remain for Peter. Then, proposing a pardon and amnesty for everything he had done, he sent trusty messengers to make trial of the young man, to see if he would submit. Peter, now lacking in hope, lacking a home, lacking a fortune, when he saw he was enmeshed in these supreme difficulties because he was relying on that desperadoes' refuge, and calculated that all future ability gain to success had slipped through his hands, and had heard that a pardon was being offered, at length, relying on the faith of the nation, voluntarily came out of the asylum, and placed himself in Henry's power. And so this great rising was suddenly put down. Having waged this war with success and wonderfully happy, the king went to London. Wherever he went, men came running to have a look at Peter, a source of wonderment for everybody. For he, a foreign-born man relying on nothing else but the recommendation of his betters (although it was proclaimed otherwise), had dared cause trouble for such a great kingdom with his pranks and by his wily schemes, and had led so many people and sovereigns to believe the lies he had said about himself, not without their great harm.
Around 1520 William Viell of Trevorder was born in Exeter, Devon [Map].
In 1547 Nicholas Hilliard was born in Exeter, Devon [Map].
Diary of Edward VI. August 1549. To Devonshier the lord Previ-seal (age 64)1 was sent, who with his band, being but smal, lay at Honington whils the rebels besieged Exciter [Map], who did rise divers preaty feates of warre. For after divers skirmishes, when the gatis were burnt, thei in the cite did continew the fir(e), til thei had mad a ramper within. Also afterward, when they were underminded and pouder was laid in the mind, thei within drouned the pouder and the mind with water they cast in; wich the lord Previ-seal hearing, thought to a gone to renforce them a bie way; of wich the rebels having spial, cut al the trees betwixt St. Mary-Outrie and Exciter. For wich cause the lord Previ-seal burnt that toun, and thought to returne home. The rebels kept a brig behind his bake, and so compelled him with his smal band to set upon them, wich he did and overcam them, killing 600 of them, and returning hom without any loss of men. Then the lord Gray (age 40) and Spinula2 with their bandis came to him, and afterward Gray (sic) with 200 of Reding, with wich bands he being renforcid came to raise the sieg at Exciter, for bicaus thei had scarcety of vitel; and as he passed from Hunniagton, he cam to a little towne of his owne, whether cam but only tow waies, wich thei had ranforced with tow bulwarkes mad of earth, and had put to the defence of the same about 2000 men, and the rest the(y) had layed, some at a brige called Honnington brige, partly at a certein hedg in a hie way, and the most part at the sieg of Exciter. The rierward of the horsmen, of which Travers was captain, set upon the on(e) bulwark, the vauard and battail on the tother. Spiaula's band kept them occupied at their wale. At lenght Travers drove them into the towne, wich the lord Previ-seal burnt. Then thei rane to a bridg thereby; from whence being driven their were in a plain about 900 of them slain. The next day ther wer mete about other 2000 of them at the entrie of a hie way, who first desired to talk, and in the meane season fortified them selves, wich being perceived they ranne ther wayes, and that same night the cite of Exitter was delivered of the siege.1a
Note 1. John lord Russell, shortly after made earl of Bedford. Some of his despatches to the council on this occasion will be found in Strype's Memorials, vol. ii. Records, DD.; also in Wiffen's Memorials of the House of Eussell, i. 369.
Note 2. "Captaine Paule Baptist Spinola, an Italian, borne of a noble house in Genoa, with a band of Italian footmen" Holinshed, p. 1651.
Note 1a. A very full narrative of the Devonshire rebellion, written by John Vowell, alias Hooker, chamberlain of Exeter, accompanied by a "description of the citie," was first published in the edition of 1586 of Holinshed's Chronicle, and it occupies in the edition of 1808 pp. 926-963 of vol. iii. It was also printed distinctly in 4to. 1775. Great pains were taken to refute the religious doctrines advanced in their "supplication" or manifesto: and several drafts of "the King's answer" thereto are preserved in the State Paper office, which Mr. Tytler has partly printed, i. 178 — 182; but a much more elaborate reply was compiled by Cranmer, which will be found at length in his works (Parker Soc, edition), ii. 163—187.
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In March 1586 a virulent outbreak of gaol fever occurred during the Assizes in Exeter, Devon [Map]. The cause according to modern medical opinion was typhus transmitted by the human body-louse. Among the dead victims were eight judges, eleven of the twelve jurors, several constables, and the surrounding population which was ravaged by the disease for several months.
Edward Flowerdew died of gaol fever.
On 28th March 1586 Thomas Carew of Haccombe (age 70) died of gaol fever.
On 31st March 1586 John Chichester died of gaol fever.
On 1st April 1586 Robert Carey (age 71) died of gaol fever.
On 2nd April 1586 Arthur Bassett (age 45) died of gaol fever.
On 10th April 1586 Bernard Drake (age 58) died of gaol fever.
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In 1600 Margaret Parr (age 80) died in Exeter, Devon [Map] where she was buried.
On 10th November 1641 Edward Lake was born in Exeter, Devon [Map].
In 1646 John Stawell (age 45) was captured at Exeter, Devon [Map] and imprisoned at the Tower of London [Map] until 1653.
In April 1646 Exeter, Devon [Map] was besieged by Parliamentary forces. Elizabeth Villiers Countess Morton (age 37) with the infant Princess Henrietta Stewart Duchess Orléans (age 1) escaped incognito to France.
Daubigny Turberville (age 34) fought for the King. He and a friend ran in debt £100 each, "in chalk behind the door; he told me that his landlord came into their chamber, leading his daughter by the hand, and courteously proffered to cancel the debts of either of us who should marry her." Turberville "valiantly resisted this temptation and chose rather to pay his debts in ready money, which he did shortly after; the other accepted the terms, and had his wife's portion presently paid him, viz., his scores wiped out with a wet dishclout." Source. THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY SEPTEMBER, 1926.
Around 1669 Peter King 1st Baron King was born to Jerome King in Exeter, Devon [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 5th November 1688. I went to London; heard the news of the Prince (age 38) having landed at Torbay, coming with a fleet of near 700 sail, passing through the Channel with so favorable a wind, that our navy could not intercept, or molest them. This put the King (age 55) and Court into great consternation, they were now employed in forming an army to stop their further progress, for they were got into Exeter [Map], and the season and ways very improper for his Majesty's forces to march so great a distance.
In 1706 John King 2nd Baron King was born to Peter King 1st Baron King (age 37) in Exeter, Devon [Map].
In 1709 Peter King 3rd Baron King was born to Peter King 1st Baron King (age 40) in Exeter, Devon [Map].
In 1711 William King 4th Baron King was born to Peter King 1st Baron King (age 42) in Exeter, Devon [Map].
In 1712 Thomas King 5th Baron King was born to Peter King 1st Baron King (age 43) in Exeter, Devon [Map].
In March 1791 St John St John (age 7) died at Exeter, Devon [Map].
On 4th May 1845 William Kingdon Clifford was born to William Clifford (age 24) at Exeter, Devon [Map] and Frances Kingdon (age 25).
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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.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. In this king's time was all dissention, and evil, and rapine; for against him rose soon the rich men who were traitors; and first of all Baldwin de Redvers, who held Exeter, Devon [Map] against him. But the king beset it; and afterwards Baldwin accorded. Then took the others, and held their castles against him; and David, King of Scotland, took to Wessington against him. Nevertheless their messengers passed between them; and they came together, and were settled, but it availed little.
In 1550 Richard Bampfield of Poltimore and Bampfylde House (age 24) commissioned the construction of Politmore House, and the completion of Bampfylde House.
On 16th June 1644 Princess Henrietta Stewart Duchess Orléans was born to King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) and Henrietta Maria Bourbon Queen Consort England (age 34) at Bedford House Exeter, Devon. John Hinton (age 40) was in attendance.
On 15th December 1455 the Courtenay family, Earls of Devon since 1355, and Bonville family resolved their differences at the Battle of Clyst Heath near Exeter [Map]. Thomas Courtenay 5th or 13th Earl Devon (age 41) defeated William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville (age 63). Battle something of an over-statement; the number of dead reported by one chronicler as being twelve. Following the battle the victorious Courtenay's attacked Bonville's Shute Manor.
The Life and Reign of King Edward VI. [6th August 1549]. Now the seditious driven almost to a dead dispaire and supported only by the vehemency of desire, brought forth their forces to Clifton heath [Map], to whom many of the most vile vulgars resorted hourely, which much enlarged their numbers but nothing their strength, but what measure have men in the encrease of madnes, if they keepe nor themselves from falling into it, they brought with them a crucifix upon a carte covered with a canopie, and beset with crossses,tapers,banners, holy bread and holy water as a representation of those things for which they fought. The Lord Gray (age 40) encouraged his men to set sharpely upon the vague villaines good neither to live peaceably nor to fight, and to win at once both quiet to the Realme and to themselves glory, so he brought the Kings forces upon them rather as to a carnage then to a fight, insomuch as without any great either losse or danger to themselues, the greatest part of the seditious were slaine, divers also were taken, of whom the common sort were forthwith executed by martiall law, the chiefest leaders were sent to receive justice at Loudon, Some escaped and sailed to Bridgewater, who taking dangers to be the only remedy against dangers, endeavoured to set up the sedition againe, but they were speedily repressed, and thereby the sedition suppressed wholly.
The Life and Reign of King Edward VI. [4th August 1549]. So departing from Honington he came to a little Village [Clyst St Mary, Exeter [Map]] from whence lay 2 waies towards Exeter, both which were blocked up with 2 bulwarkes of earth, made by the seditious, hither they had driven 2000 men from before Exeter whom they divided into 4 companies. In either of the Bulwarkes they lodged one, at the bridge neere the backe of one of the fortes, a third company was placed, neere the back was laid in ambush behinde a hedge on the high way, at the backe of the other fortresse, the Arriere of the kings forces led by captaine Wavers set upon one of the fortes, the vaward and battaile upon the other, Spinola with his shot did beare upon those within, who offered to appeare upon the walls. At length Captaine Wavers wonn the fort which he assailed and drave the defendands to the bridge where one of their companies made stand. Herewith the other two companies did forthwith resort unto them, one from the second fort, the other trom the Ambush. These casting a strong guard upon the bridge, marshalied the residue upon a plaine ground behinde the bridge. The Kirgs forces coming forward drave the guard from the bridge, and making profit of the fresh terror set upon those who were upon the plaine. The kings footmen were firmely ranked, the troopes of horse in good array, whereas the seditions had neither weapons, order nor counsaile, but being in all things unprovided were slaine like beasts. They tooke their flight towards St Mary cliffe but the souldiers upon disdaine of their unworthy actions filled themselues with revenge and blood, and slue of them above 900 not sparing one.
Exeter Castle is also in Castles in Devon.
Letters. 1220. To her dearest son Henry (age 12), by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, earl of Anjou, Isabella (age 32), by the same grace queen of England, lady of Ireland, duchess of Normandy and Aquitaine, countess of Anjou and Angoulême, sends health and her maternal benediction.
We hereby signify to you that when the Earls of March and Eu departed this life, the lord Hugh de Lusignan (age 37) remained alone and without heirs in Poitou, and his friends would not permit that our daughter should be united to him in marriage, because her age is so tender, but counselled him to take a wife from whom he might speedily hope for an heir; and it was proposed that he should take a wife in France, which if he had done, all your land in Poitou and Gascony would be lost. We, therefore, seeing the great peril that might accrue if that marriage should take place, when our counsellors could give us no advice, ourselves married the said Hugh earl of March; and God knows that we did this rather for your benefit than our own. Wherefore we entreat you, as our dear son, that this thing may be pleasing to you, seeing it conduces greatly to the profit of you and yours; and we earnestly pray you that you will restore to him his lawful right, that is Niort, the castles of Exeter [Map] and Rockingham [Map], and 3500 marks, which your father, our former husband, bequeathed to us; and so, if it please you, deal with him, who is so powerful, that he may not remain against you, since he can serve you well - for he is wdl-disposed to serve you faithfully with all his power; and we are certain and undertake that he shall serve you well if you will restore to him his rights, and, therefore, we advise that you take opportune counsel on these matters; and, when it shall please you, you may send for our daughter, your sister, by a trusty messenger and your letters patent, and we will send her to you.
On 8th November 1483 Thomas St Leger (age 43) was executed at Exeter Castle [Map].
Historie of Great Britain by John Speed Book 9 Chapter 36. [8th November 1483] ... and at Exceter [Map] for the like cause dyed Sir Thomas Sentleger (age 43), who had married Lady Anne Dutchess of Excester, King Richards own sister, with others; so jealous was the King of his usurped Crowne;
In July 1649 Colonel William Legge was imprisoned on a charge of high treason, for two years or more at Exeter Castle [Map].
On 18th April 1740 Francis Baring 1st Baronet was born to John Baring (age 43) at Larkbeare House Exeter, Devon.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1001. This year there was great commotion in England in consequence of an invasion by the Danes, who spread terror and devastation wheresoever they went, plundering and burning and desolating the country with such rapidity, that they advanced in one march as far as the town of Alton [Note. Not clear whether this is Alton, Hampshire]; where the people of Hampshire came against them, and fought with them. There was slain Ethelwerd, high-steward of the king (age 35), and Leofric of Whitchurch, and Leofwin, high-steward of the king, and Wulfhere, a bishop's thane, and Godwin of Worthy, son of Bishop Elfsy; and of all the men who were engaged with them eighty-one. Of the Danes there was slain a much greater number, though they remained in possession of the field of battle. Thence they proceeded westward, until they came into Devonshire; where Paley came to meet them with the ships which he was able to collect; for he had shaken off his allegiance to King Ethelred, against all the vows of truth and fidelity which he had given him, as well as the presents which the king had bestowed on him in houses and gold and silver. And they burned Teignton, and also many other goodly towns that we cannot name; and then peace was there concluded with them. And they proceeded thence towards Exmouth, Devon, so that they marched at once till they came to Pin-hoo; where Cole, high-steward of the king, and Edsy, reve of the king, came against them with the army that they could collect. But they were there put to flight, and there were many slain, and the Danes had possession of the field of battle. And the next morning they burned the village of Pin-hoo, and of Clist, and also many goodly towns that we cannot name. Then they returned eastward again, till they came to the Isle of Wight [Map]. The next morning they burned the town of Waltham, Essex, and many other small towns; soon after which the people treated with them, and they made peace.
On 9th July 1644 Thomas Monck was killed through some mistake over the password at South Street Exeter, Devon. He was buried at Great Torrington, Devon.
St Leonard's Church, Exeter is also in Churches in Devon.
On 6th September 1767 Charles Baring (age 24) and Margaret Gould (age 24) were married at St Leonard's Church, Exeter [Map].
On or before 10th June 1770, the date he was baptised at St Leonard's Church, Exeter [Map], William Baring-Gould was born to Charles Baring (age 27) and Margaret Gould (age 27).
On 6th May 1791 Stafford Henry Northcote 7th Baronet (age 28) and Jacquetta Baring Lady Northcote (age 22) were married at St Leonard's Church, Exeter [Map]. She by marriage Lady Northcote of Hayne in Devon.
On 28th February 1788 Captain James Coleridge (age 28) and Frances Duke Taylor (age 29) were married at St Mary Arches Church, Exeter.
On 7th August 1583 William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 25) and Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath were married at St Mary Major Church, Exeter. She by marriage Countess Bath, Countess Eu. She the daughter of Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 56) and Margaret St John Countess Bedford. They were half sixth cousins.
On 30th April 1841 Christiana Bacon (age 34) died of consumption. She was buried at St Thomas' Church, Exeter.
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.
Around 1587 Nicholas Stone was born in Woodbury Exeter, Devon.