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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Marcus Gheeraerts is in Painters.
Around 1583 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 21). Portrait of Henry Lee of Ditchley (age 49).
After 1585 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 23) (attributed). Portrait of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 64). His right-hand is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office.
Around 1590 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 28). Portrait of Anne Hopton Baroness Wentworth (age 29).
Anne Hopton Baroness Wentworth: In 1561 she was born to Owen Hopton and Anne Echingham. In 1585 Henry Wentworth 3rd Baron Wentworth and she were married. She by marriage Baroness Wentworth. They were fourth cousins. In 1595 William Pope 1st Earl Downe and she were married. On 10th May 1625 Anne Hopton Baroness Wentworth died.
Around 1592 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 30). The Ditchley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 58).
In 1594 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 32). Portrait of Thomas Lee (age 43).
Thomas Lee: Around 1551 he was born to Benedict Lee and Margaret Pakington. Calendar of the Carew Manuscripts. This death of his was the more hastened by that bloody practice of Thom Lea, who, not four days after the Earl's apprehension, dealt with Sir Henry Nevill, son-in-law to the Lord Treasurer, and with Sir Robert Crosse, assuring them that he would deal also with some four other gentlemen of resolution, who, at supper time, when the Queen should have been in the privy chamber, should have taken her, locked the doors, and, as he sillily pretended, only have pinned her up there till he had forced her to sign a warrant for the Earl's delivery out of the Tower. Which vile purpose being discovered by those two gentlemen and avowed to his face, he being that very night watching at the privy cliamber door to discover bow he might the next day have had access, he was seized on, and being examined, confessed thus much, only vo-wing that he would not have hurt her royal person, whom God bless, except others would liave forced in upon her to hinder that course which he pretended for their delivery; but within four days [14th February 1601] he received the due reward of a traitor at Tyborne. On 14th February 1601 Thomas Lee was hanged at Tyburn [Map]. Annales of England by John Stow. The xvii [7th] of February [1601] Captaine Thomas Lee, was drawne fo Tiborne, and there hanged, bowelled and quartered, being before condemned, for consspiracie against the Quéene, about deliverance of the Earle of Essex out of the Tower, he tooke his death constantly, confessing he had divers wayes deserved it, but to be innocent of that he was condemned for, &c.
Around 1595 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 33). Portrait believed to be of Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester (age 51).
Around 1596 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 34). Portrait of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 30).
Around 1597 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 35). Portrait of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex (age 31).
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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1599. Marcus Gheeraerts (age 37). Portrait of Johnathan Trelawny (age 30).
Johnathan Trelawny: On 17th December 1568 he was born to John Trelawny and Anne Reskymer posthumously. Before 24th April 1592 Johnathan Trelawny and Elizabeth Killigrew were married. In 1595 he was appointed High Sheriff of Cornwall. On 21 or 22nd June 1604 Johnathan Trelawny died, while Parliament was in session. The Journal of the House of Commons records that the House was informed of his death the following day: he "being suddenly suffocated with a flux of blood, which came by breaking a vein with vehement coughing, and was said to found sick and dead within quarter of an hour"; the House of Commons voted to attend his funeral at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map], an unusual mark of respect.
In 1611 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 49). Portrait of Frances Howard Duchess Lennox.
In 1611 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 49). Portrait of Catherine Killigrew (age 32).
Catherine Killigrew: Thomas Jermyn and she were married. In 1579 she was born to William Killigrew and Margery Saunders.
In 1611 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 49). Portrait of George Savile 1st Baronet (age 61).
Before 1613. Attributed to Marcus Gheeraerts (age 50). Portrait of Frances Cavendish (age 19).
Frances Cavendish: Around 1593 she was born to William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire and Anne Keighley. In 1608 William Maynard 1st Baron Maynard and she were married. Their 3 children predeceased him. She the daughter of William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire and Anne Keighley. In 1613 Frances Cavendish died.
1624. Marcus Gheeraerts (age 62). Portrait of Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 50).
Before 1628 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 65). Portrait of Anne Alington (age 20).
Anne Alington: In 1607 she was born to Giles Alington and Dorothy Cecil. In 1627 Thomas Fanshawe 1st Viscount Fanshawe and she were married. They were fourth cousin once removed. In 1628 Anne Alington died.
Before 1636 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 73). Portrait of Frances Howard Duchess Lennox and Richmond (age 57).
On 19th January 1636 Marcus Gheeraerts (age 74) died.