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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St Andrew's Church, Holborn, Parish of St Andrew's Holborn, Middlesex, Home Counties, England, British Isles [Map]

St Andrew's Church, Holborn is in Parish of St Andrew's Holborn, Churches in Middlesex.

On 24th April 1545 Henry Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton [aged 39] and Jane Cheney Countess Southampton [aged 36]. On 24th April 1545 he was christened at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. His godparents were Henry VIII [aged 53], Henry's daughter Mary Tudor [aged 29] and Charles Brandon 1st Duke Suffolk [aged 61]. He married before 6th October 1573 Mary Browne Countess Southampton, daughter of Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu and Jane Radclyffe, and had issue.

On 30th July 1550 Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton [aged 44] died. He was buried on 4th August 1550 at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. His son Henry [aged 5] succeeded 2nd Earl of Southampton.

Annales of England by John Stow. 30th July 1550. The 30. of Julie, Thomas Lord Wriothesley Earle of South-hampton Knight of the garter, and one of the executors to king Henry the 8. deceased Lincoln place in Holborne, and was buried in S.Andrewes church [Map] there.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 4th August 1550. The imperfect paragraph with which the Manuscript now begins relates to the funeral of Sir Thomas Wriothesley [deceased], Earl of Southampton, K,G. who died on the 31st July 1550, and was buried on the 4th of August at St. Andrew's, Holborn [Map], Sir John Hoper, priest, preaching at his funeral, - Strype, Memorials, fol. 1721, ii. (283).

Note. Thomas Wriothesley, earl of Southampton. The first person noticed by our funereal chronicler was one of the most remarkable men of his age: one who had attained the summit of the law, and who was aspiring to the summit of the state. The historian Carte attributes his death to mortified ambition, and so does Lord Campbell in his recent Lives of the Chancellors: on this part of his history see the Archaeologia, vol. xxx. p. 468.

It should be remarked that, though the body of the earl of Southampton was at first buried in Saint Andrew's Holborn, it was afterwards removed to Tichfield [Map] in Hampshire, where a sumptuous monument with his effigy still exists. There is a fine portrait of him in Chamberlain's Holbein Heads.

On 12th April 1553 Richard Brownlow was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 5th December 1554. The v day of December, the which was saint Nicholas' eve, at evensong time, came a commandment that saint Nicholas should not go abroad, nor about. But, notwithstanding, there went about these saint Nicholases in divers parishes, as st. Andrew's, Holborn [Map], and st. Nicolas Olyffe [Map] in Bredstret.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 8th March 1557. The viij day of Marche was bered master (blank) with armes and ij whyt branchys and viij storchys and iiij gret tapurs, in sant Androws in Holborne [Map], with prestes and clarkes.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 6th November 1559. The vj day was bered in sant Androsse in Holborn [Map] master Mortun sqwyre, with a harold of armes, a penon of armes, and a cott armur, with a dosen of skochyons.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 13th July 1561. The xiij day of July was bered in sant Andrewes [Map] in Holborne master Phassett, gentyll-man, on of the (unfinished)

Henry Machyn's Diary. 27th February 1562. The xvij day of Feybruary was bered in sant [Andrew's] in Holborne [Map] master Culpapare, on of the gentyll[men of] Gray('s) in, with vj skochyons of armes of the ho[use].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th May 1562. The xxv day of May was bered master Godderyke [aged 56] sqwyer, the wyche he ded at ys place with-in Whyt-freres, and cared unto sant Andrew's in Holborne [Map] to be bered; and ther was the compene of the Clarkes syngyng pryke-song, and then cam a morner careng ys pennon of armes, and then cam master Yorke beyryng ys cott armur, and after master Clarenshus [aged 52]; and then cam the corse with a ryche palle of tynsell and ryche cloth of sylver with armes of bokeram; and then the morners, and after the byshope of Canturbere [aged 57] and the byshope of Ely [aged 69] and the byshope of London [aged 43], and next my lord keper [aged 51] and my lord cheyffe justus of England and mony worshephull men, and after ij C [200] of the ines of the cowrt folowd; and the dene of Powlles [aged 45] dyd pryche for hym.

Note. P. 283. Funeral of master Godderyke. It seems not improbable, from the attendance at this funeral, that this was a brother or near relative of the late bishop of Ely and lord chancellor. In the register of St. Andrew's he is styled sir Richard Goodricke. (Malcolm.)

On or before 2nd September 1602, the date she was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map], Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck was born to Edward Coke [aged 50] and Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton [aged 24]. She married 29th September 1617 John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck, son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham.

On 23rd February 1608 Henry Arundell 3rd Baron Arundel was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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On or before 4th March 1611, the date he was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map], William Dobson was born.

On or before 6th February 1621 Robert Shute [aged 45] died unmarried. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map] the following day.

On or before 13th June 1624, the date she was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map], Ursula Southwell died.

On 21st July 1657 Robert Yallop [aged 19] and Dorothy Spelman [aged 22] were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

Around 1660 William Stanton [aged 21] had set up a business adjacent to St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 2nd April 1662 Henry Beaumont 2nd Baronet [aged 24] and Elizabeth Farmer were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd April 1665. Thence to the Chappell and heard the famous young Stillingfleete [aged 30], whom I knew at Cambridge, and is now newly admitted one of the King's chaplains; and was presented, they say, to my Lord Treasurer [aged 58] for St. Andrew's, Holborne [Map], where he is now minister, with these words: that they (the Bishops of Canterbury, London, and another) believed he is the ablest young man to preach the Gospel of any since the Apostles. He did make the most plain, honest, good, grave sermon, in the most unconcerned and easy yet substantial manner, that ever I heard in my life, upon the words of Samuell to the people, "Fear the Lord in truth with all your heart, and remember the great things that he hath done for you". It being proper to this day, the day of the King's Coronation.

On 16th December 1667 John Middleton 1st Earl Middleton [aged 59] and Martha Carey Countess Middleton [aged 32] were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. She by marriage Countess Middleton. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth and Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth [aged 66].

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 24th January 1668. Up before day to my Tangier accounts, and then out and to a Committee of Tangier, where little done but discourse about reduction of the charge of the garrison, and thence to Westminster about orders at the Exchequer, and at the Swan [Map] I drank, and there met with a pretty ingenious young Doctor of physic, by chance, and talked with him, and so home to dinner, and after dinner carried my wife to the Temple [Map], and thence she to a play, and I to St. Andrew's church [Map], in Holburne, at the 'Quest House, where the company meets to the burial of my cozen Joyce; and here I staid with a very great rabble of four or five hundred people of mean condition, and I staid in the room with the kindred till ready to go to church, where there is to be a sermon of Dr. Stillingfleete [aged 32], and thence they carried him to St. Sepulchre's. But it being late, and, indeed, not having a black cloak to lead her with, or follow the corps, I away, and saw, indeed, a very great press of people follow the corps. I to the King's playhouse, to fetch my wife, and there saw the best part of "The Mayden Queene", which, the more I see, the more I love, and think one of the best plays I ever saw, and is certainly the best acted of any thing ever the House did, and particularly Becke Marshall, to admiration. Found my wife and Deb., and saw many fine ladies, and sat by Colonell Reames [aged 54], who understands and loves a play as well as I, and I love him for it. And so thence home; and, after being at the Office, I home to supper, and to bed, my eyes being very bad again with overworking with them.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th May 1669. Lord's Day. Up; and, after dressing in my best suit with gold trimming, I to the Office, and there with Gibson and Tom finishing against to-morrow my notes upon Commanders' Instructions; and, when church-time, to church with my wife, leaving them at work. Dr. Mills preached a dull sermon, and so we home to dinner; and thence by coach to St. Andrew's [Map], Holborne, thinking to have heard Dr. Stillingfleete [aged 34] preach, but we could not get a place, and so to St. Margaret's, Westminster [Map], and there heard a sermon, and did get a place, the first we have heard there these many years, and here at a distance I saw Betty Michell, but she is become much a plainer woman than she was a girl.

On 12th July 1669 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet [aged 24] and Frances Windebank [aged 23] were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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John Evelyn's Diary. 21st February 1680. Shrove-Tuesday. My son [aged 25] was married to Mrs. Martha Spencer [aged 21], daughter to my Lady Stonehouse by a former gentleman, at St. Andrew's [Map], Holborn, by our Vicar, borrowing the church of Dr. Stillingfleet [aged 44], Dean of St. Paul's, the present incumbent. We afterward dined at a house in Holborn; and, after the solemnity and dancing was done, they were bedded at Sir John Stonehouse's [aged 41] lodgings in Bow Street, Convent Garden.

In or after 1687 Bishop John Moore [aged 41] was appointed Rector of St Anne's Church, Soho [Map] and St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

In January 1690 Anne Savile Countess Carbery [aged 27] died in childbirth. She was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 24th February 1703 Hadley D'Oyly and Elizabeth Yallop were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 15th November 1708 Stephen Anderson 3rd Baronet was born to Stephen Anderson 2nd Baronet [aged 30]. He was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map] on the same day.

On 12th November 1712 Thomas Drury 1st Baronet was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 7th November 1722 Marmaduke Wyvill 5th Baronet [deceased] was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 31st May 1734 Edward Stanton [aged 53] died. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 25th December 1768 Edward Lake Pickering [aged 23] and Mary Umfreville [aged 25] were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].

On 12th April 1792 Sarah Masterman died. She was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map] on 18th April 1792.

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.'

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On 25th July 1829 Elizabeth Siddal was born to Charles Crooke Siddall [aged 28] and Elizabeth Eleanor Evans at 7 Charles Street, Hatton Garden. She was baptised 23rd August 1830 at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. She married 23rd May 1860 Dante Gabriel Rossetti and had issue.

Charles Crooke Siddall: Around 1801 he was born.