Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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Grantham is in Lincolnshire.
See: Belton, Grantham [Map], Ropesley, Grantham, St Wulfram's Church, Grantham [Map], The King's School, Grantham [Map].
On 4th December 1290 Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England [deceased] body rested at Grantham [Map].
Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. [8th July 1503] From the seid Place of Colweston, the Quene [aged 13] touke hyr Way ryght to Grantham. Halfe Way before hyr came Sir Robert Dymock, Knight, Sheriff of the County of Lincoln, honestly accompayned of xxx Horses well arayd of his Liveray, and salved the Quene, holdyng a whyt Rod in his Haund, the wich hee bered before hyr, lastyng the sayd County of Lyncoln, as the other Sheriffs did here afterward in their Counties.
About foure Myles from Grauntham, the Alderman, accompanyed with the Burgesses and Inhabitants of Grantham [Map] in fayre Order, receyved hyr to the Number of iiijxx Horses honnestly appoynted, and conveyed her to the next Towne.
Without the sayd Towne, was in Processyon in fayr Order the Colledge of the sayd Place, and the Freres Mendicants, the wich received hyr in synging Laudes. And att the fayd Place lightyd of his Horse my Lord the Bishop of Norwich; the wich gaff her the Crossys for to kysse. And thus was doon continualiy, lastyng the said Veyage thorough the Reyme of Inglaund, in all the Places wher she cam.
This doon she was brought with the sayd Compayne in fayr Aray to hyr Lodgyngs, that was with a Gentylman called Mr. Hioli.
Through all the goode Towne and Villages wher she pass, all the Bells wer rong dayly. And by the Way cam the Habitants of the Countrey for to see the noble Company, bryngyng grette Vessells full of Drynk, and gyffing the same to them that Nedde had of it, saying, that if better they had had, better they should have brought.
Around 1534 Bishop John Still was born at Grantham [Map]. He was educated at the The King's School, Grantham [Map] and Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map].
On 23rd March 1643 Charles Cavendish [aged 22] was captured at Grantham [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th August 1654. From hence we had a most pleasant ride over a large heath open like Salisbury Plain, to Grantham [Map], a pretty town, so well situated on the side of a bottom which is large and at a distance environed with ascending grounds, that for pleasure I consider it comparable to most inland places of England; famous is the steeple for the exceeding height of the shaft, which is of stone.
The River Witham rises near South Witham, South Kesteven [Map] from where it flows past North Witham, South Kesteven [Map], Colsterworth, South Kesteven [Map], Easton, South Kesteven [Map] to Great Ponton, South Kesteven [Map] where it is joined by the Cringle Brook.
From Great Ponton, South Kesteven [Map] the River Witham flows through Grantham [Map], Belton, Grantham [Map], past Barkston, South Kesteven [Map], Marston, South Kesteven [Map] and Hougham, South Kesteven [Map], Westborough, South Kesteven [Map], Long Benington, South Kesteven [Map], Claypole, South Kesteven [Map], Beckingham, North Kesteven [Map], Norton Disney, North Kesteven [Map], Bassingham, North Kesteven [Map], Haddington, North Kesteven [Map], Aubourn, North Kesteven [Map] through the centre of Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] where it joined by the River Till.
From Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] it flows under Five Mile Bridge [Map], past Bardney Abbey [Map], Kirkstead [Map], under Tattershall Bridge [Map] after which it is joined by the River Bain
After Tattershall the River Witham flows through canalised sections under Lanrick Bridge [Map], past Anton's Gowt [Map] to Boston [Map] where it is joined by the South Forty Foot Drain. After Boston [Map] the River Witham flows into the The Wash around eight kilometres away.
Around 1229 Ralph Blount was born to Robert Blount [aged 32] and Isabel Odingsells [aged 27] at Belton, Grantham [Map].
Around 1231 Walter Blount was born to Robert Blount [aged 34] and Isabel Odingsells [aged 29] at Belton, Grantham [Map].
Around 1233 William Blount was born to Robert Blount [aged 36] and Isabel Odingsells [aged 31] at Belton, Grantham [Map]. He married before 1270 Isabel Beauchamp and had issue.
On 10th February 1247 Rohesia Verdun [aged 43] died at Belton, Grantham [Map].
In 1263 Thomas Blount 1st Baron Blount was born to Ralph Blount [aged 34] at Belton, Grantham [Map]. He married after 20th January 1325 Juliana Leybourne Countess Huntingdon.
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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In 1288 Robert Blount [aged 91] died at Belton, Grantham [Map].
In 1295 William Blount was born to Thomas Blount 1st Baron Blount [aged 32] at Belton, Grantham [Map].
The River Witham rises near South Witham, South Kesteven [Map] from where it flows past North Witham, South Kesteven [Map], Colsterworth, South Kesteven [Map], Easton, South Kesteven [Map] to Great Ponton, South Kesteven [Map] where it is joined by the Cringle Brook.
From Great Ponton, South Kesteven [Map] the River Witham flows through Grantham [Map], Belton, Grantham [Map], past Barkston, South Kesteven [Map], Marston, South Kesteven [Map] and Hougham, South Kesteven [Map], Westborough, South Kesteven [Map], Long Benington, South Kesteven [Map], Claypole, South Kesteven [Map], Beckingham, North Kesteven [Map], Norton Disney, North Kesteven [Map], Bassingham, North Kesteven [Map], Haddington, North Kesteven [Map], Aubourn, North Kesteven [Map] through the centre of Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] where it joined by the River Till.
From Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] it flows under Five Mile Bridge [Map], past Bardney Abbey [Map], Kirkstead [Map], under Tattershall Bridge [Map] after which it is joined by the River Bain
After Tattershall the River Witham flows through canalised sections under Lanrick Bridge [Map], past Anton's Gowt [Map] to Boston [Map] where it is joined by the South Forty Foot Drain. After Boston [Map] the River Witham flows into the The Wash around eight kilometres away.