William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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St Germans Priory is in St Germans, Cornwall, Priories in England.
St Germans Priory [Map]. A large Norman church in the village of St Germans in south-east Cornwall, traditionally founded by St Germanus himself c. 430 AD. The first written record is of Conan being made Bishop in the Church of St Germans as a result of King Athelstan's settlement with Cornwall around 926AD. Possession of two holdings of land in the parishes of Landrake ("Landerhtun") and Landulph ("Tinieltun" i.e. Tinnel) was confirmed by King Canute in 1018. In 1042 the see was moved to Crediton. The present church replaces an Anglo-Saxon building which was the cathedral of the Bishops of Cornwall.
On 16th March 1639 Edmund Prideaux [aged 33] and Bridget Moyle [aged 19] were married at St Germans Priory [Map].
After 10th June 1721. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorial to Walter Moyle of Bake.
After 18th September 1722. St Germans Priory [Map]. Monument to Edward Eliot [deceased] sculpted by John Michael Rysbrack [aged 28].
On 12th June 1735 John Glanville [aged 71] died. His nephew John Glanville of Catchfrench [aged 39] inherited his estates including Catfrench, St Germans. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map]. where his memorial has the following inscription:
John Glanvill, descended from an ancient family of Tavistock in the County of Devon, John Glanville, Justice of the Common Bench during the reign of Elizabeth, great-grandson of John Glanvill of Broad Hinton in the County of Wilts, Knight. Servant at Law to Kings Charles I and II, Chief and Speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament, Nephew. Of Lincoln's Inn, formerly a Fellow not unworthy, a skilled jurist and knowledgeable especially in literature, history, and above all, chronology. A bachelor, he shed what is mortal in June 1735, aged 71. John Glanville of Catchfrench in this parish, Esquire, erected this monument in grateful memory of his uncle.
Johannes Glanvill Ab Antiqua familia de Tauystoke in Comitatu Devoniae otiundus Johannes Glanuille justiciarius de Communi Banco regnante Elizabetha pronepos Johannis Glanvill de Broad Hinton in agro Winton' Equitis. Aurati regibus Carlo Frimo et Secundo Servientis ad Legem primarii et Domus Communium m Parliamento Prolocutoris Nepos hospitii Lincolnieilsis Aliquando Socius non indignus juris Consultus sagax et probis rei literariae hiatoriae praecipue et Chronologiae peritua Coelebs quod Mortale est exuit Junii 1735 aetat 71 Johannes Glanville de Catchfrench in hac parochia Armiger in gratam patrui memoriam hoc Monumentum.
John Glanville: Around 1664 he was born to Julius Glanville and Anne Bagnall of St Dunstan-in-the-West. In 1726 John Glanville purchased Catfrench, St Germans.
John Glanville of Catchfrench: In 1696 he was born to Julius Glanville and Martha Corderoy of Morton in Surrey. Before 1727 he and Elizabeth Andrews were married. After 23rd August 1748 he and Mary McNeill were married. In 1769 he died. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map].
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On 23rd August 1748 Elizabeth Andrews died. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map]. Inscription:
To the Mem: of Elizabeth Glanvill The faithful and affectionate wife The sincere and Bosom friend The kind and equal partner In all the cares of her afflicted Husband John Glanville Esq. She lived (as much as in her lay) with a Conscience void of offence towards God And towards man and died praising God August 23 1748.
While faithful Earth does thy cold Relics keep
And soft as was thy nature is thy sleep,
Let here this pious marble fix'd above
Witness the Husband's grief, the Husband's love
Grief that no rolling years can ere efface
And love that only with himself must cease
And let it bear for thee this heartfelt boast
T'was He who knew thee best that lov'd thee most.
John Glanville their only child died Jan. 7th 1750-1 in the 21 year of his age.
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qivGn7hK4th February 1755. St Germans Priory [Map]. Grave of Surgeon to Richard Boger.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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In 1769 John Glanville of Catchfrench [aged 73] died. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map].
After 17th February 1804. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorial to Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot [deceased].
Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot: On 8th July 1727 he was born to Richard Eliot and Harriet Craggs. On 25th September 1756 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot and Catherine Elliston Baroness Eliott were married. On 13th January 1784 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot was created 1st Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. Catherine Elliston Baroness Eliott by marriage Baroness Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. On 17th February 1804 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall.
On 17th November 1823 John Eliot 1st Earl St Germans [aged 62] died without issue. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map]. His brother William [aged 56] succeeded 2nd Earl St Germans, 3rd Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. Susan Mordaunt Countess St Germans [aged 43] by marriage Countess St Germans.
Monument sculpted by Richard Westmacott [aged 48].
Susan Mordaunt Countess St Germans: On 15th December 1779 she was born to John Mordaunt 7th Baronet and Elizabeth Prowse Lady Mordaunt. On 30th August 1814 William Eliot 2nd Earl St Germans and she were married at Walton, Warwickshire.
On 5th February 1830 Susan Mordaunt Countess St Germans [aged 50] died at Fulford Park [Map]. She was buried at St Swithun's Church, Shobrooke [Map]. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map].
After 1845. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorial to William Eliot 2nd Earl St Germans [aged 77] and Georgiana Augusta Leveson-Gower.
Georgiana Augusta Leveson-Gower: On 13th April 1769 she was born to Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Marquess Stafford and Susanna Stewart Marchioness Stafford. On 30th January 1797 William Eliot 2nd Earl St Germans and she were married at Trentham, Staffordshire. She the daughter of Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Marquess Stafford and Susanna Stewart Marchioness Stafford. On 24th March 1806 Georgiana Augusta Leveson-Gower died.
After 5th November 1854. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorial to Granville Charles Cornwallis Eliot [deceased] who fell at the Battle of Inkerman.
Granville Charles Cornwallis Eliot: On 9th September 1828 he was born to Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans.
After 1877. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorials to:
Top: Ernest Cornwallis Eliot, Elizabeth Harriet Cornwallis Eliot
Bottom: Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans and Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans [aged 78].
Ernest Cornwallis Eliot: On 28th April 1831 he was born to Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans. On 23rd January 1832 Ernest Cornwallis Eliot died.
Elizabeth Harriet Cornwallis Eliot: In September 1833 she was born to Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans. On 16th March 1835 Elizabeth Harriet Cornwallis Eliot died.
Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans: On 24th December 1803 she was born to Charles Cornwallis 2nd Marquess Cornwallis and Louisa Gordon Marchioness Cornwallis at Brome, Suffolk. On 2nd September 1824 Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and she were married at St James' Church, Piccadilly. She the daughter of Charles Cornwallis 2nd Marquess Cornwallis and Louisa Gordon Marchioness Cornwallis. He the son of William Eliot 2nd Earl St Germans and Georgiana Augusta Leveson-Gower. On 19th January 1845 William Eliot 2nd Earl St Germans died. His son Edward succeeded 3rd Earl St Germans, 4th Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. She by marriage Countess St Germans. On 2nd July 1856 Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans died at Dover Street. She was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery [Map].
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After 1881. St Germans Priory [Map].
Left side: Memorial to Francis Glanville [aged 83] and Amabel Pole-Carew. Inscription: To the Memory of Francis Glanville of Catchfrench in this Parish who was born July 31st 1762, and died July 3, 1846. Also of Elizabeth His wife Daughter of Robert Fanshawe, Esq., R.N., many years Commissioner of Plymouth Dockyard. She was born Feb. 4th 1772, and died Decbr 21, 1847. They were buried in a vault in the Churchyard of Great Marlow, Bucks, where they died.
Right side. Memorial to their son Major Francis Robert Glanville [aged 53].
Francis Glanville: On 13th April 1797 he was born to Francis Glanville and Elizabeth Fanshawe. On 6th April 1821 he and Amabel Pole-Carew were married at St James' Church, Antony [Map]. On 24th November 1874 he and Sarah Newell were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years. On 24th April 1881 he died. He was buried in the churchyard of St Lawrence's Church, Stratford sub Castle, Wiltshire [Map].
Amabel Pole-Carew: On 6th May 1796 she was born to Reginald Pole aka Pole-Carew and Jemima Yorke. On 12th April 1871 Amabel Pole-Carew died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Shievock [Map].
Major Francis Robert Glanville: On 19th March 1827 he was born to Francis Glanville and Amabel Pole-Carew. On 11th February 1910 he died. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map].
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St Germans Priory [Map]. South Chapel and East Window by William Morris [aged 61] and Reredos. To the glory of God this window is dedicated by the donor Alfred Burton in the year 1896. This enormous five-light window is one of the largest in Cornwall. All of the ten main figures and angels in the tracery were designed in 1895 for the South transept window of Albion Congregational church, Ashton-under-Lyne. They were repeated at St Germans the following year in this window donated by Alfred Burton. The angel tracery for St Germans, however, is far superior to the tracery at Ashton-under-Lyne. Burne-Jones [aged 62] was paid £300 for his Ashton designs, and it was common practice for all the major Victorian studios subsequently to reuse the design cartoons for future commissions.
On 22nd May 1901 Charles George Cornwallis Eliot [aged 61] died. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map].
Charles George Cornwallis Eliot: On 16th October 1839 he was born to Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans. On 26th October 1865 Charles George Cornwallis Eliot and Constance Rhiannon Guest were married. He the son of Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 24th August 1909 Edward Henry John Cornwallis Eliot [aged 23] died. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map].
Edward Henry John Cornwallis Eliot: On 30th August 1885 he was born to Henry Cornwallis Eliot 5th Earl St Germans and Emily Harriet Labouchere Countess St Germans.
On 11th February 1910 Major Francis Robert Glanville [aged 82] died. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map].
On 24th September 1911 Henry Cornwallis Eliot 5th Earl St Germans [aged 76] died at Port Eliot, Cornwall. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map]. His son John [aged 21] succeeded 6th Earl St Germans, 7th Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall.
On 22nd March 1916 Constance Rhiannon Guest [aged 71] died. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map].
Constance Rhiannon Guest: On 17th October 1844 she was born to John Josiah Guest 1st Baronet and Charlotte Elizabeth Bertie.
On 25th May 1920 Evelyn Radigund Eliot [aged 51] died unmarried. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map].
Evelyn Radigund Eliot: On 31st January 1869 she was born to Charles George Cornwallis Eliot and Constance Rhiannon Guest.
After 1922. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorials to:
Left: Henry Cornwallis Eliot 5th Earl St Germans and Edward Henry John Cornwallis Eliot.
Right top: Edward John Cornwallis Eliot.
Right bottom: John Granville Cornwallis Eliot 6th Earl St Germans [aged 31].
Henry Cornwallis Eliot 5th Earl St Germans: On 11th February 1835 he was born to Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans. On 19th March 1881 William Gordon Cornwallis Eliot 4th Earl St Germans died unmarried. He was buried near his mother Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans at Kensal Green Cemetery [Map]. His brother Henry succeeded 5th Earl St Germans, 6th Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. On 18th October 1881 Henry Cornwallis Eliot 5th Earl St Germans and Emily Harriet Labouchere Countess St Germans were married at Savoy Chapel Royal [Map]. She by marriage Countess St Germans. He the son of Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans. On 24th September 1911 Henry Cornwallis Eliot 5th Earl St Germans died at Port Eliot, Cornwall. He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map]. His son John succeeded 6th Earl St Germans, 7th Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall.
Edward John Cornwallis Eliot: On 2nd April 1827 he was born to Edward Granville Eliot 3rd Earl St Germans and Jemima Cornwallis Countess St Germans. On 26th November 1864 Edward John Cornwallis Eliot died unmarried at Port Eliot, Cornwall.
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On 31st March 1922 John Granville Cornwallis Eliot 6th Earl St Germans [aged 31] died in Johannesburg, South Africa, of an injury sustained during a point to point at . He was buried at St Germans Priory [Map]. His first cousin Granville [aged 54] succeeded 7th Earl St Germans, 8th Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall.
1928Post card Port Eliot, Cornwall and St Germans Priory [Map].
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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On 20th August 1940 Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Edward Cornwallis Eliot [aged 68] died. Memorial at St Germans Priory [Map].
Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Edward Cornwallis Eliot: On 17th July 1872 he was born to Charles George Cornwallis Eliot and Constance Rhiannon Guest. On 3rd July 1897 Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Edward Cornwallis Eliot and Laura Grey Chetwode were married.
St Germans Priory Lych Gate. A Grade II listed monument in its own right, built in 1902 in Greenstone coursed rubble with limestone dressings and a timber roof covered in slate. The heavily buttressed entrance has a Tudor arched gateway with hoodmould, with wrought iron gates across the entrance, granite benches. This was designed by the architect James Piers St Aubyn.
St Germans Priory West Doorway. The west door is of exceptional size with few equals in England and part of a fine Romanesque west front. Two south-west arches and pillars are also of the 12th century. The twin towers are not a matching pair as the northern tower has an octagonal upper stage.
