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 Tamworth is in Member Parliament.
In 1593 Thomas Smith (age 37) was elected MP Tamworth.
In 1604 Thomas Beaumont 1st Viscount of Swords (age 22) was elected MP Tamworth.
In 1621 Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Tamworth.
In April 1640 Simon Archer (age 58) was elected MP Tamworth during the Short Parliament.
In 1670 Charles Boyle 3rd Baron Clifford (age 30) was elected MP Tamworth which seat he held until 1679.
In 1678 Henry Gough (age 28) was elected MP Tamworth.
In 1679 Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth (age 39) was elected MP Tamworth.
In 1689 Henry Gough (age 39) was elected MP Tamworth.
In 1689 Henry Boyle 1st Baron Carleton (age 19) was elected MP Tamworth which seat he held until 1690.
In 1698 John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 55) was elected MP Tamworth which seat he held until 1700.
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 1699 Henry Gough (age 49) was elected MP Tamworth.
In January 1727 George Compton 6th Earl of Northampton (age 35) was elected MP Tamworth.
In 1734 John Sackville (age 20) was elected MP Tamworth which seat he held until 1747.