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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MP Aylesbury is in Member Parliament.
In 1555 Anthony Restwold (age 38) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In 1597 Thomas Smythe (age 39) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In 1604 William Borlase of Little Marlow (age 40) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In 1621 Henry Borlase (age 31) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In November 1640 John Pakington 2nd Baronet (age 19) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In 1659 Thomas Tyrell (age 64) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In 1754 John Willes (age 33) was elected MP Aylesbury which seat he held until 1761.
In 1761 Welbore Ellis 1st Baron Mendip (age 47) was elected MP Aylesbury which seat he held until 1768.
In 1774 John Aubrey 6th Baronet (age 34) was elected MP Aylesbury which seat he held until 1780.
In 1780 Thomas Orde-Powlett 1st Baron Bolton (age 39) was elected MP Aylesbury.
In 1784 William Wrightson (age 31) was elected MP Aylesbury which seat he held until 1790.
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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In July 1803 William Cavendish (age 20) was elected MP Aylesbury.
Arthur Porter was elected MP Aylesbury.