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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St Mary Spital is in Spitalfields.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 19th April 1557. The xix day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spyttell docthur Pendyltun [aged 33], and mad a goodly sermon; ther was my lord mare [aged 57] and xxiij althermen besyd my lord mayre, and iij juges, and alle the masters of the hospetall with grenstayffes in ther handes, and alle the chylderyn of the hospetall in bluw garmenttes boyth men chylderyn and women chylderyn, that be kept with serten landes and the cherete of the nobull cette of London, and aboyff xx M. pepull of old and yonge, to her the sermon of old custom, and my lade mares and the (unfinished).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th April 1557. The xx day of Aprell dyd pryche docthur Yonge at santt Mare spyttylle; and ther was my lord mare [aged 57] and xxv althermen, none lackyng butt master Wodderoff, the wyche makyth the full nom bur of xxvj; and my lord Broke the cheff justes, and my lord justes Browne [aged 48], and my ser John Baker, and ser Roger Chamley, and mony nobull gentyllmen, with the holl cete [whole city] boythe old and yonge, boythe men and women.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd April 1557. The xxij of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare speytyll [doctor] Watsun [aged 42] nuw-choyssen bysshope of Lynckolne a godly sermon.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 27th March 1559. The xxvij day of Marche dyd pryche at sant Mare Spyttyl doctur Bylle [aged 54] the quen('s) [aged 25] amner [almoner].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th March 1559. The xxix day of Marche dyd pryche at sant Mare Spyttyll master Horne [aged 49], parsun sum-tyme at Allalows in Bredstrett.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 10th April 1560. The x day of Aprell cam from sant Mare spytyll the Quen (of the May?) wyth a (blank) M. men in harnes, boyth queners [queen's attendants] in shurth [shirts] of malle and cosselet and mores pykes and a x gret pesses, cared thrugh London unto the court, with drumes and fluttes and trumpetes, and ij mores dansyng, in the cartt wher ij quyke bers [live bears], and London fond a (unfinished)
Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th April 1560. The xv day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spyttyl withowt Byshope-gatt master Bentun [aged 46].
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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Henry Machyn's Diary. 16th April 1560. The sam day dyd pryche at sant Mare spyttyll master Colle.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17th April 1560. The xvij day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spytyll master Juelle [aged 37].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 7th April 1561. The vij day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spytyll the nuwe byshope of Wynchester master Horne [aged 51], and ther was all the masters of the hospetall, and the chylderyn in bluw cotes, and my lord mayre [aged 52] and the althermen, and mony worshephull men.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 8th April 1561. The viij day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spytyll the byshope of Durham master Pylkyngtun [aged 41], and ther was gret audyense, and my lord mare [aged 52] and my masters the althermen, with the masters of the hospetall.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 9th April 1561. The ix day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spyttell master Colle the parsun of Hehonger in Essex.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 1st April 1562. The furst day of Aprell master Torner of Cantur[bury preached,] the wedynsday in Ester wekke, at sant Mare spytty I, and the pepull kept haleday thrughe London do yt was n[ight.]
Henry Machyn's Diary. 2nd February 1563. The ij day of Feybruary callyd Candyllmasse day ther was serten men whent to Duram plase and to sant Mare spyttyll to here masse, and ther was serten of them cared by the gard and othur men to the contur and odur plases.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 12th April 1563. The xij day of Aprell, was Ester monday, dyd pryche at sant Mare spyttyll master Horne [aged 53] the byshope of Wynchastur, and ther was my lord mare [aged 54] and the althermen in skarlett, and certen juges and serjantes of the law, and mony worshephulle men and women, and the masturs of the hospetall with ther gren stayffes in ther handes, [and the] chylderyne of the hospetall boyth boysse and wenchys in bluw [coats and] red capes [caps] to the nombur of a (blank), and ther was geydered at the sermon for the Frenche men [refugees] in-to England women and chylderyn the sum of xlv li.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Henry Machyn's Diary. 13th April 1563. The xiij day of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare spyttyll tuwysday in Ester weeke master Colle parsun of Hehenger in Essex and (dean elect) of Norwyche, and my lord mare [aged 54] and ij juges and the althermen and byshopes, with all the masturs of the hospetall and the chylderyn.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 14th April 1563. The xiiij day of Aprell dyd pryche at the spyttylle the wedynsday the dene of Powlles [aged 46] in Ester wyke.