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All About History Books
The 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." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
1330-1339 Edward III and Scottish Independence is in 14th Century Events.
On 25th August 1330 James "Black" Douglas (age 44) was killed during the Battle of Teba at Teba whilst en route to the Holy Land with the heart of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland.
Froissart Book 1: 1307-1340. [41] It happened, soon after [25th August 1330] Sir William [James] Douglas (age 44) had arrived there, that the King of Spain came out from the camps to move closer to his enemies. The King of Granada also came out on his side, so that one king could see the other with all his banners. And they began to draw up their battle lines, one against the other. Sir William Douglas withdrew to one of the flanks with all his company, to better carry out his task and to better show his valor. When he saw all the battle lines arranged on both sides, and saw the royal battle line stir a little, he believed they were about to engage. He, who preferred to be among the first rather than the last, spurred his horse forward and all his company with him, straight to the battle line of the King of Granada, and went to engage the enemy. He believed that the King of Spain and all his battle lines would follow him, but they did not, by which he was shamefully deceived, for they did not move at all that day. There, the noble knight Sir William Douglas and all his company were surrounded by the enemy. They performed feats of great valor, but in the end, they could not hold out, and not a single man escaped on foot, all were slain in great misfortune. This was a sorrowful and grievous loss and a great shame for the Spaniards, and they were much blamed by all who heard of it, for they could well have rescued the knight and part of his men, had they wished. Such was the fate of the adventure and journey of Sir William Douglas.
[41] Avint, assés tost apriès çou que li di messires Guillaumes de Douglas fu là venus, que li rois d'Espagne issi hors as camps, pour plus approcier ses ennemis. Li rois de Grenate issi hors ossi d'autre part, si ques li uns rois veoit l'autre à tout ses banières. Et se commencièrent à rengier leurs batailles, li un contre l'autre. Li dis messires Guillaumes de Douglas se traist à l'un des costés, à toute se route, pour miex faire se besongne, et pour miex moustrer son effort. Quant il vei toutes les batailles rengies d'une part et d'autre, et vei la bataille le roy un petit esmouvoir, il cuida que elle alast assambler. Il, qui miex voloit estre des premiers que des daarrains, feri des esporons, et toute se compagnie avoech lui, jusques à le bataille le roy de Grenate, et ala as ennemis assambler. Et pensoit ensi que li rois d'Espagne et toutes ses batailles le sievissent, mès non fisent, dont il en fu laidement deceus, car onques celi jour ne s'en esmurent. Là fu li gentilz chevaliers, messires Guillaumes de Douglas enclos, et toute se route, des ennemis. Et y fisent merveilles d'armes, mès finablement il ne peurent durer, ne onques piés n'en escapa, que tout ne fuissent occis à grant meschief. De quoi ce fu pités et damages et grant lasqueté pour les Espagnolz, et moult en furent blasmet de tous chiaus qui en oïrent parler, car bien ewissent rescous le chevalier et une partie des siens, s'il vosissent. Ensi ala de ceste aventure et dou voiage monsigneur Guillaume de Douglas.
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Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. After the coronation and the aforementioned marriage had been celebrated at Berwick, the said William [James] Douglas journeyed to the frontiers of Spain,1 toward Granada, where he, as a noble knight, most commendably displayed his valour against the Moorish Saracens. And after many victories, which God granted to the Christians under his leadership, he fought alone against five Saracens, and though he was slain by them with five mortal wounds, he also slew them, as testified by Brother Thomas of Lavington, a Carmelite who was then still a layman and served under his command in the Christian army to the best of his ability. He [James Douglas] had a pious and twofold motive. For when Robert the Bruce was dying, he entrusted him with this charge in the following words: "I have vowed to God," he said, "that I would fight in person against the enemies of Christ. But since I will not be able to do so while alive, I implore you, the most proven man of the Scots, whom I love dearly, to carry my heart against the enemies of Christ's name, to the frontier of Granada." To which James replied: "By the invoked heart of Jesus Christ, I will, as you ask, carry your heart, and I will die fighting against the damned foes."
Celebratis apud Berewicum coronacione et nupciis predictis, predictus Jacobus Dowglas adivit fronterium Ispanie versus Grenatum, ubi miles strefluus suam probitatem contra Mauros Saracenos laudabiliter ostendebat, et post multasvictorias, quas ipso duce Christianis Deus commisit, simul contra v Saracenos solus dimicans, v letalibus wineribus ab ipsis est occisus, set et ipsos occidit, teste fratre Thoma de Lavyngtone Carmelita, qui pro tunc secularis sub suo ducatu in exercitu Christianorum ut potuit laboravit. Habuit occasionem piam duplicem. Moriens nempe Robertus le Bruys ipsum honeravit sub tali forma: 'Vovi, inquit, 'Deo, quod contra inimicos Christi forem corporaliter militaturus, quod, quia vivus non potero, te, tamquam Scotorum, quos summe diligo, virum probatissimum, exoro, ut cor meum contra inimicos nominis Christi deportes ad fronterium Granardianum. Cui Iacobus: 'Turo, inquiens, 'per invocatum cor Christi Iesu, cor tuum, ut rogasti, me delaturum, et contra predamnatos hostes moriturum.
Note 1. The romantic story of the delivery of Bruce's heart to the keeping of Douglas and of Douglas's death is well known from the pages of Froissart who follows Jehan le Bel, and from Barbour's Brus. The closing scene may be quoted from Froissart 41.
It will be noticed that Froissart persistently gives Douglas the Christian name of William, a blunder which he adopts from le Bel.
On 24th January 1336 Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 36) died. His son Peter (age 16) succeeded IV King Aragon.
In January 1337 King Edward III of England (age 24) created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France ...
William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36) was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.
William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 27) was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 19) having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 35).
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 38) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 51) by marriage Countess Suffolk.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. A parliament was then convened in London for the Monday following the feast of Saint Matthias the Apostle and the First Sunday of Lent. There, the king created1 his eldest son, Lord Edward, Duke of Cornwall; Lord Henry of Lancaster, his cousin, Earl of Derby; Lord William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton; Lord William de Montagu, Earl of Salisbury; Lord Robert d'Ufford, Earl of Suffolk; Lord Hugh Daudeley, Earl of Gloucester; and Lord William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon. Together with these, the king also appointed twenty-four knights.
Et, convocato Londoniis parliamento ad diem Lune post festum sancti Mathie apostoli et Dominica Quadragesime, fecit dominum Edwardum filium suum primogenitum ducem Cornubie, et dominum Henricum de Lancastria, filium, comitem Derbie, dominum Willelmum de Bohun comitem Norhamptonie, dominum Willelmum de Monte acuto comitem Sarisburie, dominum Robertum Dofford comitem Suffolchie, dominum Hugonem Daudele comitem Gloucestrie, dominum Willelmum de Clyntone comitem Huntyngdonie; et cum illis XXIIIJ milites ordinavit.
Note 1. The six new earls were:
Henry 'of Grosmont,' son of Henry, earl of Lancaster, born about 1299; summoned to parliament as Henry de Lancaster, 3rd February 1335; created earl of Derby, 16th March 1337; succeeded as 4th earl of Lancaster, 22nd September 1345; created earl of Lincoln, 20th August 1349; and duke of Lancaster, 6th March 1352; died 13th March 1361.
William de Bohun, son of Humphrey, 4th earl of Hereford, born about 1314; created earl of Northampton, 16th March 1337; constable of England, 12th June 1338; died 16th September 1360.
William de Montagu, son of William, baron Montagu, born in 1301; succeeded as 3rd baron Montagu, 6th November 1319; created earl of Salisbury, 16th March 1337; marshal of England, 20th September 1338; died 30th January 1344.
Robert de Ufford, son of Robert, baron Ufford, born in 1298; succeeded as 2nd baron Ufford, 9th September 1316; created earl of Suffolk, 16th March 1337; died 4th November 1369.
Hugh de Audley, son of Hugh, baron Audley, born before 1298; succeeded as 2nd baron Audley in 1326; created earl of Gloucester, 16th March 1337; died 10th November 1347.
William de Clinton, son of John, 5th baron Clinton, born about 1304; created earl of Huntingdon, 16th March 1337; died 31st August 1354. Doyle, Baronage.
In 1337 Stirling Castle [Map], then under English control, was besieged by Andrew Murray (age 39) but failed to take it.
William Keith of Galston (age 37) was killed.
On 24th March 1338 a large fleet of small French coastal ships sailed across the Channel from Cales [Map] and into the Solent where they landed and burnt the town of Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map].
On 23rd September 1338 a French fleet attacked an English fleet unloading cargo at Walcheren. Five large and powerful English cogs, including Edward III's (age 25) flagships the Cog Edward and the Christopher were captured. The captured crews were executed and the ships added to the French fleet.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 24th March 1339 a French fleet raided Harwich, Essex [Map].
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke [-1360]. On the eve [24th March 1339] of the Annunciation,1 eleven galleys set fire to the town of Harwich, but the wind blowing contrary prevented the flames from spreading and causing greater harm. Later that year,2 around Pentecost, Norman and Genoese pirates, appearing again at sea near the port of Southampton in galleys and pinnaces, threatened to land through their messengers, whom they sent to scout the town's defences. And when they perceived the inhabitants to be ready for resistance, they turned instead to the Isle of Wight; but they did not enter it, deterred by the resistance of the locals. They then moved to other coastal places that were less well fortified, where, in the manner of robbers, they committed many crimes; and afterwards, on the feast of Corpus Christi, at Hastings,3 they burned some fishermen's huts and their boats, killing the people.
In vigilia Annunciacionis undecim galee immiserunt ignem ville de Herewych, cuius ardorem ventus contrarius proibuit crescere in nocumentum. Ulterius in anno, circa Pentecosten, pirate Normannici et Ianuenses, in galeys et spinaciis circa portum Hamptonis iterato in mari se ostendentes, se velle applicare comminati sunt per suos nuncios, quos jusserunt apparatum ville explorare. Et, quia paratos incolas ad resistendum perceperunt, ad insulam de Vecta migraverunt; set in illam non intrarunt, cedentes proibicioni incolarum; set se transtulerunt ad alia loca maritima minus bene munita, in quibus, more latrunculorum, multa mala commiserunt; et postea, in festo Corporis Christi, apud Hastinghe, quedam tuguria piscatorum combusserunt cum eorum scaphis, hominibus occisis.
Note 1. Stow Annales 366.
Note 2. Knighton 2573.
Note 3. According to Knighton 2573.
Annales of England by John Stow. On the even [24th March 1339] of the Annunciation of our Lady, eleven gallies approching to the towne of Harwich, they cast fire therein : the force whereof by a contrary wind was staied, so that no great harm was done thereby. Furthermore, in the same yeere, about the feast of Pentecost, certaine pyrats of Normandie and Genoa (shipped in gallyes and pinnaces) made a shew on the sea about South-hampton, as they would have come aland, and threatened sore to spoile the town againe, but, perceiving the townsmen ready to resist them, they returned to the He of Wight, but entred not, being put backe by the inhabitants : whereupon they sailed about the coasts, seeking to land in places lesse defended, and after came to Hastings, where they brent fishers cottages, with their boats, and slew many men. Also, they made great shewes many times against the He of Thanet, Dover, and Fulkestone, but in those places they did little harme, except to poore fishermen : thence they sailed about to the havens of Cornwall and Devonshire, doing in all places much harme to the fishermen, and such ships as they found unmanned they fiered. At length they entred Plimmouth Haven, where they brent certaine great ships and a great part of the towne. These were met by Hugh Courtney, earle of Devonshire, a knight of fourescore yeeres old, being accompanied with many souldiours of his countrey, who, having lost at the first front a fewe of his men which were slaine by the quarels of the French, joyned to fight with them hand to hand, and, slaying many of the pyrates upon drie land, chased the residue which fledde to take their gallyes, and, being not able to come nigh them by wading, they were drowned in the sea to the number of five hundred.
On 20th May 1339 a French fleet raided Plymouth, Devon [Map].
On 10th October 1339 Thomas Poynings 1st Baron Poynings (age 45) was killed at the 1339 Attack on Honnecourt.