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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River Soar

Wibtoft, Warwickshire Leicester, Leicestershire Mountsorrel Castle Normanton on Soar, Nottinghamshire Holy Trinity Church Ratcliffe on Soar River Wreake aka Eye

River Soar is in River Trent.

The River Soar rises near Wibtoft, Warwickshire [Map] after which it travels broadly north through Leicester, Leicestershire [Map], past Mountsorrel Castle [Map], Normanton on Soar, Nottinghamshire [Map] and Holy Trinity Church Ratcliffe on Soar [Map] before joining the River Trent.

River Wreake aka Eye

The River Wreake aka Eye rises near Stapleford, Leicestershire [Map] although the land is so low lying there are many tributaries that may form the River Eye and it may rise at Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire [Map]. It flows through Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire [Map] after which its name changes from the River Eye to the River Wreake. Thereafter it flows past Asfordby, Leicestershire [Map], Hoby, Leicestershire [Map], Rotherby, Leicestershire [Map], Thrussington, Leicestershire [Map], Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicestershire [Map] to Cossington, Leicestershire [Map] where it joins the River Soar.