Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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Around 1657 Jacob Huysmans [aged 24]. Portrait of Mary Bodville.
Mary Bodville: In 1634 Hugh Cholmondeley and she were married.
In 1663 Jacob Huysmans [aged 30]. Portrait of Samuel Barnardiston 1st Baronet [aged 42].
Samuel Barnardiston 1st Baronet: On 23rd June 1620 he was born to Nathaniel Barnardiston and Jane Soame. On 11th May 1663 Samuel Barnardiston 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Barnardiston of Brightwell in Suffolk with a special remainder to his brothers Nathaniel Barnardiston and Peletiah Barnardiston. On 8th November 1707 Samuel Barnardiston 1st Baronet died at his house in Bloomsbury Square. His nephew Samuel succeeded 2nd Baronet Barnardiston of Brightwell in Suffolk.
Around 1664 Jacob Huysmans [aged 31]. Portrait of Rear-Admiral John Chicheley [aged 24].
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th August 1664. Thence to the Dockyarde, and there saw the new ship in very great forwardness, and so by water to Deptford, Kent [Map] a little, and so home and shifting myself, to the 'Change [Map], and there did business, and thence down by water to White Hall, by the way, at the Three Cranes, putting into an alehouse and eat a bit of bread and cheese. There I could not get into the Parke, and so was fain to stay in the gallery over the gate to look to the passage into the Parke, into which the King [aged 34] hath forbid of late anybody's coming, to watch his coming that had appointed me to come, which he did by and by with his lady and went to Guardener's Lane, and there instead of meeting with one that was handsome and could play well, as they told me, she is the ugliest beast and plays so basely as I never heard anybody, so that I should loathe her being in my house. However, she took us by and by and showed us indeed some pictures at one Hiseman's [aged 31], a picture drawer, a Dutchman, which is said to exceed Lilly [aged 45], and indeed there is both of the Queenes [aged 54] and Mayds of Honour (particularly Mrs. Stewart's [aged 17] in a buff doublet like a soldier) as good pictures, I think, as ever I saw. The Queene is drawn in one like a shepherdess, in the other like St. Katharin, most like and most admirably. I was mightily pleased with this sight indeed, and so back again to their lodgings, where I left them, but before I went this mare that carried me, whose name I know not but that they call him Sir John, a pitiful fellow, whose face I have long known but upon what score I know not, but he could have the confidence to ask me to lay down money for him to renew the lease of his house, which I did give eare to there because I was there receiving a civility from him, but shall not part with my money.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 21st September 1664. Up, and by coach to Mr. Povy's [aged 50], and there got him to signe the payment of Captain Tayler's bills for the remainder of freight for the Eagle, wherein I shall be gainer about £30, thence with him to Westminster by coach to Houseman's [aged 31] [Huysman] the great picture drawer, and saw again very fine pictures, and have his promise, for Mr. Povy's sake, to take pains in what picture I shall set him about, and I think to have my wife's. But it is a strange thing to observe and fit for me to remember that I am at no time so unwilling to part with money as when I am concerned in the getting of it most, as I thank God of late I have got more in this month, viz. near 250l, than ever I did in half a year before in my life, I think.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 31st May 1665. So weary and sleepy to bed. I endeavoured but missed of seeing Sir Thomas Ingram [aged 50] at Westminster, so went to Houseman's the Painter [aged 32], who I intend shall draw my wife, but he was not within, but I saw several very good pictures.
Before 8th April 1666 Attributed to Jacob Huysmans [aged 33]. Portrait of Thomas Chiffinch [aged 66].
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Before 1670 Jacob Huysmans [aged 36]. Portrait of Colonel William Legge (copy after original).
Around 1670 Jacob Huysmans [aged 37]. Portrait of (possibly) Mary Langham Countess Warrington [aged 17].
Around 1670 Jacob Huysmans [aged 37]. Portrait of Samuel Barnardiston 1st Baronet [aged 49].
Around 1670 Jacob Huysmans [aged 37]. Portrait of Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England [aged 31].
Around 1670 Jacob Huysmans [aged 37]. Portrait of John Maitland 1st Duke Lauderdale [aged 53].
Around 1672 Jacob Huysmans [aged 39]. Portrait of Elizabeth Otten.
Elizabeth Otten: In 1604 she was born to Matthias Otten. In 1669 she died.
Before 13th July 1673 Jacob Huysmans [aged 40]. Portrait of Robert Long 1st Baronet [aged 73].
Before 1676 Jacob Huysmans [aged 42]. Portrait of Henry Hamilton 2nd Earl Clanbrassil.
Henry Hamilton 2nd Earl Clanbrassil: In 1647 he was born to James Hamilton 1st Earl Clanbrassil and Anne Carey Countess Clanbrassil. On 20th June 1659 James Hamilton 1st Earl Clanbrassil died. His son Henry succeeded 2nd Earl Clanbrassil. Alice Moore Countess Clanbrassil by marriage Countess Clanbrassil. In May 1667 Henry Hamilton 2nd Earl Clanbrassil and Alice Moore Countess Clanbrassil were married. She the daughter of William Moore and Elizabeth Lennard 3rd Countess Meath. He the son of James Hamilton 1st Earl Clanbrassil and Anne Carey Countess Clanbrassil. On 12th January 1675 Henry Hamilton 2nd Earl Clanbrassil died.
Before 12th December 1676 Jacob Huysmans [aged 43]. Portrait of John Middleton 1st Earl Middleton.
Before 12th December 1676 Jacob Huysmans [aged 43]. Portrait of William Morice [aged 74].
Before 1680 Jacob Huysmans [aged 46]. Portrait of Alice Strickland [aged 31].
Alice Strickland: In 1648 she was born to Thomas Strickland. Before 1680 Walter Kirkham Blount 3rd Baronet and she were married. In 1680 Alice Strickland died.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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In 1680 Jacob Huysmans [aged 47]. Portrait of Barbara Every.
Barbara Every: she was born to John Every. On 1st September 1674 Robert Henley and she were married.
Before 26th July 1680 Jacob Huysmans [aged 47]. Portrait of John Wilmot 2nd Earl Rochester [aged 33].
Before 8th March 1685 Jacob Huysmans [aged 52]. Portrait of Elizabeth Pope Countess Lindsey as Diana.
Before 8th March 1685 Jacob Huysmans [aged 52]. Portrait of Richard Mason [aged 52].
Around 1688 Jacob Huysmans [aged 55]. Portrait of Richard Mason.
Around 1690 Jacob Huysmans [aged 57]. Portrait of Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 49].
Before 23rd March 1691 Jacob Huysmans [aged 58]. Portrait of Mary Langham Countess Warrington [aged 39].
Before 8th January 1694 Jacob Huysmans [aged 61] (attributed). Described as a Portrait of Thomas Strickland [aged 72].
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Mary Molyneux.
Mary Molyneux: she was born to Richard Molyneux 1st Viscount Molyneux and Mary Caryll Viscountess Molyneux.
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England [aged 57].
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England [aged 57].
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Anne Morice Lady Pole [aged 42].
Westminster Chronicle of King Richard II, 1381-1394
The Westminster Chronicle is one of the most vivid and important narrative sources for the reign of Richard II. Written by an anonymous chronicler closely connected with Westminster Abbey, it covers the years 1381 to 1394, from the Peasants’ Revolt to the political tensions, court ceremonies, diplomatic negotiations, royal progresses, and public crises of Richard’s later reign. Rich in detail the chronicle records major events such as the conflicts between the King and Lords Appellant, King and the City of London, negotiations with France and Scotland, the death and funeral of Queen Anne of Bohemia, the illness of Charles VI of France, and the changing fortunes of leading nobles including John of Gaunt, Thomas of Gloucester, Robert de Vere, and the Earl of Arundel. The Chronicle offers readers a remarkable window into late fourteenth-century England, combining political observation, courtly spectacle, urban drama, ecclesiastical affairs, and moral judgement. It is an essential source for anyone interested in medieval monarchy, London, Westminster, and the troubled reign of Richard II.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Mary Bedingfield [aged 53].
Mary Bedingfield: Around 1642 she was born to Henry Bedingfield 1st Baronet and Margaret Paston. In or before 1688 Thomas Eyre and she were married. On 28th September 1710 Mary Bedingfield died.
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Anna Margaret Long [aged 54].
Anna Margaret Long: Around 1641 she was born to James Long 2nd Baronet. In or before 1667 Richard Mason and she were married. In 1717 Anna Margaret Long died.
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Elizabeth Cornwallis.
Elizabeth Cornwallis: she was born to Charles Cornwallis. On 5th January 1675 Edward Allen and she were married at St Bartholomew the Less.
Before 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 62]. Portrait of Jane Boyle. The date somewhat improbable given Huysmans died in 1696.
Jane Boyle: In 1699 she was born to Charles Boyle 2nd Earl Burlington and Juliana Noel Countess Burlington. In 1780 Jane Boyle died unmarried.
In 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 63] died in Jermyn Street.
In 1696 Jacob Huysmans [aged 63] was buried in St James' Church.
