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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Paternal Family Tree: Holstein-Gottorp
Maternal Family Tree: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken 1721-1774
On 16th April 1841 [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia (age 22) and [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt (age 16) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Louis Hesse Darmstadt II Grand Duke (age 63) and [her grandmother] Princess Wilhelmine Baden. They were second cousin once removed.
On 17th October 1853 Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov was born to [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia (age 35) and [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt (age 29). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.96%.
On 2nd March 1855 [her grandfather] Tsar Nicholas I of Russia (age 58) died. His son [her father] Alexander (age 36) succeeded II Tsar Russia. [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt (age 30) by marriage Tsarina Russia.
On 10th June 1863 [her future husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 18) was appointed 736th Knight of the Garter by [her future mother-in-law] Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 44).
On 24th May 1866 [her future husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 21) was created 1st Duke Edinburgh.
Around 1871. Franz Xaver Winterhalter (age 65). Portrait of Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 17).
On 23rd January 1874 Prince Alfred Windsor (age 29) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 20) were married. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 54). They were third cousin once removed.
On 23rd January 1874 Unknown Painter. The Wedding of [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 29) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 20).
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
The Times. 2nd February 1874. THE MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES IN RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURIG. Jan 31 Yesterday the [her husband] Duke (age 29) and Duchess of Edinburgh (age 20), the [her brother-in-law] Prince (age 32) and Princess of Wales (age 29), and [her brother-in-law] Prince Arthur (age 23) were present with all the Imperial family at the ball given by the Cesarewvitch. The Prince of Wales wore the uniform of the Norfolk Militia and Prince Arthur that of the Rifle Brigade. This evening a grand dinner, to which 400 guests are invited, will be given by the British Ambassador to the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany and Prince Arthur. Later on in the evening all the English Princes will go to the ball given at the Hall of the Nobles at 9:30.
On 24th May 1874 [her brother-in-law] Prince Arthur Windsor 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn (age 24) was created 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn. Luise Margarete Hohenzollern Duchess Connaught (age 13) by marriage Duchess Connaught and Strathearn.
On 15th October 1874 [her son] Alfred Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 30) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 20) at Buckingham Palace [Map]. He a grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
On 29th October 1875 [her daughter] Marie Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 31) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 22) at Eastwell Park, Kent. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married 10th January 1893 Ferdinand "The Unfier" Hohenzollern Sigmaringen and had issue.
On 25th November 1876 [her daughter] Victoria Melita Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 32) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 23). She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married (1) 19th April 1894 her first cousin Ernest Louis Hesse Darmstadt Grand Duke, son of Prince Louis Hesse Darmstadt IV Grand Duke and Princess Alice Saxe Coburg Gotha, and had issue (2) 8th October 1905 her first cousin Cyril Vladimirovich Holstein Gottorp Romanov and had issue.
On 1st September 1878 [her daughter] Alexandra Windsor Princess was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 34) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 24). She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married 20th April 1896 Ernst Hohenlohe Langenburg II Prince and had issue.
On 1st September 1878 [her son] Stillborn Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 34) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 24). He a grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
On 13th March 1879 [her brother-in-law] Prince Arthur Windsor 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn (age 28) and Luise Margarete Hohenzollern Duchess Connaught (age 18) were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and [her mother-in-law] Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 59). They were third cousin once removed.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 3rd June 1880 [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt (age 55) died.
On 18th July 1880 [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia (age 62) and Catherine Dolgoroky were married. She by marriage Tsarina Russia.
On 13th March 1881 [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia (age 62) was assassinated. He died at the Winter's Palace, St Petersburg. His son [her brother] Alexander (age 36) succeeded III Tsar Russia. Dagmar aka Maria Feodrovna Glücksburg (age 33) by marriage Tsarina Russia.
As he was known to do every Sunday for many years, the emperor went to the Mikhailovsky Manège for the military roll call. A young member of the Narodnaya Volya ("People's Will") movement, Nikolai Rysakov, threw a bomb which explosion Alexander survived. A second young member of the Narodnaya Volya, Ignacy Hryniewiecki, threw a second bomb killing the Tsar.
On 24th May 1881 [her brother-in-law] Leopold Saxe Coburg Gotha 1st Duke Albany (age 28) was created 1st Duke Albany.
On 27th April 1882 [her brother-in-law] Leopold Saxe Coburg Gotha 1st Duke Albany (age 29) and Helena Waldeck Duchess Albany were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Albany. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and [her mother-in-law] Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 62).
On 28th March 1884 [her brother-in-law] Leopold Saxe Coburg Gotha 1st Duke Albany (age 30) died at the Villa Nevada, Cannes.
On 20th April 1884 [her daughter] Beatrice Windsor Duchess Galliera was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 39) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 30) at Eastwell Park, Kent. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married 15th July 1909 Alfonso Orléans Galliera Duke Galliera and had issue.
On 9th March 1888 William I King Prussia (age 90) died. His son Frederick (age 56) succeeded III Emperor aka Kaiser, III King Prussia. [her sister-in-law] Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia (age 47) by marriage Empress aka Kaiser, Queen Prussia.
On 6th February 1889 [her son] Alfred Windsor (age 14) died.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 12th December 1890 Joseph Boehm (age 56) died suddenly at his home 76 Fulham Road. [her sister-in-law] Princess Louise Caroline Alberta Windsor Duchess Argyll (age 42), his pupil, was either present, leading to speculation in the press about their relationship, or found his body shortly after his death. His son Edgar (age 21) succeeded 2nd Baronet Boehm of Wetherby Gardens in Kensington.
On 10th January 1893 [her son-in-law] Ferdinand "The Unfier" Hohenzollern Sigmaringen (age 27) and [her daughter] Marie Windsor (age 17) were married. She the daughter of [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 48) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 39).
On 19th April 1894 [her son-in-law] Ernest Louis Hesse Darmstadt Grand Duke (age 25) and [her daughter] Victoria Melita Windsor (age 17) were married. She the daughter of [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 49) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 40). He the son of Prince Louis Hesse Darmstadt IV Grand Duke and [her sister-in-law] Princess Alice Saxe Coburg Gotha. They were first cousins. He a grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
On 20th April 1896 [her son-in-law] Ernst Hohenlohe Langenburg II Prince (age 32) and [her daughter] Alexandra Windsor Princess (age 17) were married at Ehrenburg Palace. She the daughter of [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 51) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 42).
On 24th April 1900 George Douglas Campbell 8th Duke Argyll (age 76) died. His son John (age 54) succeeded 9th Duke Argyll, 6th Baron Hamilton of Hameldon in Leicestershire. [her sister-in-law] Princess Louise Caroline Alberta Windsor Duchess Argyll (age 52) by marriage Duchess Argyll.
On 30th July 1900 [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor (age 55) died. Duke Edinburgh extinct.
In 1901 [her son-in-law] Ernest Louis Hesse Darmstadt Grand Duke (age 32) and [her daughter] Victoria Melita Windsor (age 24) were divorced.
On 8th October 1905 [her son-in-law] Cyril Vladimirovich Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 28) and [her daughter] Victoria Melita Windsor (age 28) were married. She the daughter of [her former husband] Prince Alfred Windsor and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 51). They were first cousins. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 15th July 1909 [her son-in-law] Alfonso Orléans Galliera Duke Galliera (age 22) and [her daughter] Beatrice Windsor Duchess Galliera (age 25) were married at Coburg. She by marriage Duchess Galliera. She the daughter of [her former husband] Prince Alfred Windsor and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 55).
On 24th October 1920 Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 67) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick IV Duke of Holstein Gottorp 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Frederick Duke of Holstein Gottorp 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hedvig Sophia of Sweden 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter III of Russia 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Paul Emperor of Russia 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Tsar Nicholas I of Russia 6 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick Eugene Württemberg Duke Württemberg
Great x 1 Grandmother: Empress Sophie Dorothea of Russia 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Hohenzollern 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Friedrich Wilhelm Hohenzollern 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Friederike Sophie Dorothea Hohenzollern 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick William "Soldier King" I King Prussia 2 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sophia Dorothea Hohenzollern 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Father: Tsar Alexander II of Russia 7 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick William "Soldier King" I King Prussia 2 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Augustus William Hohenzollern 3 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick William II King Prussia 4 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 1 Grandfather: Frederick William III King Prussia 5 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis IX of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Queen Frederica Louisa of Prussia 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Count Palatine Christian III of Zweibrücken
Great x 3 Grandmother: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken
GrandMother: Charlotte Hohenzollern 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Duke Adolphus Frederick II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Louis Frederick Duke of Mecklenburg 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
Great x 2 Grandfather: Grand Duke Charles II of Mecklenburg Strelitz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ernest Frederick Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Princess Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Countess Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach
Great x 1 Grandmother: Queen Louise of Prussia 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Prince George William of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Princess Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Countess Maria Louise Albertine of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Falkenburg
Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Ernest Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis IX of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis I Grand Duke of Hesse 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Count Palatine Christian III of Zweibrücken
Great x 2 Grandmother: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken
GrandFather: Louis Hesse Darmstadt II Grand Duke 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Grand Duke Charles Frederick of Baden
Great x 1 Grandfather: Prince Charles Louis of Baden 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Ernest Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Caroline Louise of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Princess Wilhelmine Baden 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Ernest Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis IX of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Princess Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Count Palatine Christian III of Zweibrücken
Great x 2 Grandmother: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken