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: Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsGraham of Plump in Kirkandrews
In March 1649 Colonel James Graham was born to Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsGeorge Graham 2nd Baronet [aged 25] in Norton Conyers, North YorkshireNorton Conyers, North Yorkshire.
On 28th January 1654 [his grandfather] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsRichard Graham 1st Baronet [aged 71] died. His son [his father] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsGeorge [aged 30] succeeded 2nd Baronet Graham of Esk in CumberlandBaronet Graham of Esk in Cumberland.
On 19th March 1658 [his father] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsGeorge Graham 2nd Baronet [aged 34] died. His son [his brother] Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston 1648-1695Richard [aged 8] succeeded 3rd Baronet Graham of Esk in CumberlandBaronet Graham of Esk in Cumberland.
On 2nd August 1670 [his brother] Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston 1648-1695Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston [aged 20] and [his sister-in-law] HowardAnn Howard Viscountess Preston [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of Charles Howard 1st Earl Carlisle 1629-1685Charles Howard 1st Earl Carlisle [aged 41] and HowardAnne Howard Countess Carlisle.
John Evelyn's Diary June 1673John Evelyn's Diary. 10th June 1673. Came to visit and dine with me my Edward Hyde 3rd Earl Clarendon 1661-1723Lord Viscount Cornbury [aged 11] and his Katherine O'Brien 1663-1706Lady [aged 10]; Lady HydeFrances Hyde, sister to the Duchess of York; and [his future wife] Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Mrs. Dorothy Howard [aged 22], Maid of HonourMaid of Honour [Note. Dorothy Howard and Colonel James Graham [aged 24] were married in 1675 - may be an example of Evelyn writing his diary retrospectively she being referred to as 'Mrs' although possibly the term was used irrecspective of marriage - see John Evelyn's Diary October 1671John Evelyn's Diary 9th October 1671]. We went, after dinner, to see the formal and formidable camp on Blackheath, GreenwichBlackheath, Greenwich [Map], raised to invade Holland; or, as others suspected for another design. Thence, to the Italian glass-house at Greenwich, KentGreenwich, Kent [Map], where glass was blown of finer metal than that of MuranoMurano [Map], at Venice.
John Evelyn's Diary July 1675John Evelyn's Diary. 11th July 1675. In this journey, went part of the way Mr. James Graham [aged 26] (since Privy PursePrivy Purse to the King James II of England Scotland and Ireland 1633-1701Duke [aged 41]), a young gentleman exceedingly in love with Mrs. Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard [aged 24], one of the Maid of Honourmaids of honor in our company. I could not but pity them both, the mother not much favoring it. This lady was not only a great beauty, but a most virtuous and excellent creature, and worthy to have been wife to the best of men. My advice was required, and I spoke to the advantage of the young gentleman, more out of pity than that she deserved no better match; for, though he was a gentleman of good family, yet there was great inequality.
John Evelyn's Diary July 1675John Evelyn's Diary. 15th July 1675. This was a journey of adventures and knight-errantry. One of the lady's servants being as desperately in love with Elizabeth Dundas 1626-Mrs. Howard's [aged 49] woman, as Mr. Graham [aged 26] was with her [his future wife] Dorothy Howard 1651-1701daughter [aged 24], and she riding on horseback behind his rival, the amorous and jealous youth having a little drink in his pate, had here killed himself had he not been prevented; for, alighting from his horse, and drawing his sword, he endeavored twice or thrice to fall on it, but was interrupted by our coachman, and a stranger passing by. After this, running to his rival, and snatching his sword from his side (for we had beaten his own out of his hand), and on the sudden pulling down his mistress, would have run both of them through; we parted them, not without some blood. This miserable creature poisoned himself for her not many days after they came to London.
On 22nd November 1675 Colonel James Graham [aged 26] and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard [aged 24] were married the license being that date.
John Evelyn's Diary November 1677John Evelyn's Diary. 11th November 1677. I was all this week composing matters between old Elizabeth Dundas 1626-Mrs. Howard [aged 51] and Sir Gabriel Sylvius, upon his long and earnest addresses to [his sister-in-law] HowardMrs. Anne [aged 24], her second daughter, maid of honor to the Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England 1638-1705Queen [aged 38]. My friend, Margaret Blagge 1652-1678Mrs. Godolphin [aged 25] (who exceedingly loved the young lady) was most industrious in it, out of pity to the languishing knight; so as though there were great differences in their years, it was at last effected, and they were married the 13th, in King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster AbbeyHenry VII.'s Chapel [Map], by the Archbishop John Dolben 1625-1686Bishop of Rochester [aged 52], there being besides my Mary Browne 1635-1708wife [aged 42] and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Mrs. Graham [aged 26], her sister, Margaret Blagge 1652-1678Mrs. Godolphin, and very few more. We dined at the old Elizabeth Dundas 1626-lady's, and supped at Mr. Graham's [aged 28] at St. James's.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 12th May 1681 [his brother] Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston 1648-1695Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston [aged 31] was created 1st Viscount PrestonViscount Preston. [his sister-in-law] HowardAnn Howard Viscountess Preston [aged 31] by marriage Viscount PrestonViscountess Preston.
John Evelyn's Diary September 1685John Evelyn's Diary. 15th September 1685. I accompanied Samuel Pepys 1633-1703Mr. Pepys [aged 52] to Portsmouth, HampshirePortsmouth [Map], whither his King James II of England Scotland and Ireland 1633-1701Ma* [aged 51] was going the first time since his coming to the Crowne, to see in what state the fortifications were. We tooke coach and six horses, late after dinner, yet got to Bagshot, BerkshireBagshot that night. Whilst supper was making ready I went and made a visit to Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Mrs. Graham [aged 34], some time Maid of Honourmaid of honour to ye Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England 1638-1705Queene Dowager [aged 46], now wife to James Graham, Esq [aged 36] of the privy purse to the King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland 1630-1685King; her house being a walke in the forest, within a little quarter of a mile from Bagshot towne. Very importunate she was that I would sup, and abide there that night, but being obliged by my companion, I return'd to our inn, after she had shew'd me her house, wch was very commodious and well furnish'd, as she was an excellent housewife, a prudent and virtuous lady. There is a parke full of red deere about it. Her eldest son was now sick there of the Smallpoxsmall-pox, but in a likely way of recovery, and other of her children run about, and among the infected, wnh she said she let them do on purpose that they might whilst young pass that fatal disease she fancied they were to undergo one time or other, and that this would be the best: the severity of this cruell disease so lately in my poore family confirming much of what she affirmed.
John Evelyn's Diary October 1685John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd October 1685. I accompanied my Flower Backhouse Countess Clarendon -1700Lady Clarendon to her house at Swallowfield, BerkshireSwallowfield in Berks, dining by the way at Mr. Graham's [aged 36] lodge at Bagshot; the house, new repair'd and capacious enough for a good family, stands in a Yattendon CastlePark [Map]. Hence we went to Swallowfield; this house is after the antient build ing of honourable gentlemen's houses, when they kept up antient hospitality, but the gardens and waters as elegant as 'tis possible to make a flat, by art and industrie, and no meane expence, my lady being so extraordinarily skill'd in ye flowery part, and my lord in diligence of planting; so that I have hardly seene a seate whrch shews more tokens of it than what is to be found here, not only in the delicious and rarest fruits of a garden, but in those innumerable timber trees in the ground about the seate, to the greatest ornament and benefit of the place. There is one orchard of 1000 golden, and other cider pippins; walks and groves of elms, limes, oaks, and other trees. The garden is so beset with all manner of sweete shrubbs, that it per fumes the aire. The distribution also of the quarters, walks, and parterres, is excellent. The nurseries, kitchin garden full of ye most desireable plants; two very noble Orangeries well furnished; but above all, the canall and fishponds, the one fed with a white, the other with a black running water, fed by a quick and swift river, so well and plen tifully stor'd with fish, that for pike, Carpcarp, breame and tench, I never saw any thing approching it. We had at every meale Carpcarp and pike of size fit for the table of a Prince, and what added to ye delight was to see the hundreds taken by the drag, out of which, the cooke standing by, we pointed out what we had most mind to, and had Carpcarp that would have ben worth at London twenty Shillingshillings a piece. The waters are flagg'd about with Calamus aromaticus, with wch my lady has hung a closet, that retains the smell very perfectly. There is also a certaine sweete willow and other exotics: also a very fine bowllng-greene, meadow, pasture, and wood; in a word, all that can render a country seate delightful. There is besides a well furnish'd library in ye house.
On 22nd November 1695 [his brother] Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston 1648-1695Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston [aged 46] died. His son [his nephew] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsEdward [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Viscount PrestonViscount Preston, 4th Baronet Graham of Esk in CumberlandBaronet Graham of Esk in Cumberland.
In 1701 [his wife] Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard [aged 50] died.
On 5th March 1709 [his son-in-law] Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk 1686-1757Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk [aged 23] and [his daughter] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsCatherine Graham Countess Berkshire and Suffolk were married. They were First Cousinfirst cousins.
In 1730 Colonel James Graham [aged 80] died.
[his daughter] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsMary Graham was born to Colonel James Graham and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard.
[his son] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsRichard Graham was born to Colonel James Graham and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard.
[his son] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsHenry Graham was born to Colonel James Graham and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard.
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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[his daughter] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsCatherine Graham Countess Berkshire and Suffolk was born to Colonel James Graham and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard. She married 5th March 1709 her first cousin Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk 1686-1757Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk and had issue.
[his son] Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsWilliam Graham was born to Colonel James Graham and Dorothy Howard 1651-1701Dorothy Howard.
Great x 1 Grandfather: Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsFergus Graham of Plump in Kirkandrews-upon-Esk in Cumberland Graham Arms
GrandFather: Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsRichard Graham 1st Baronet Graham Arms
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bell of Scotsbrig in Middlebie
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sibill Bell
Father: Graham of Plump in KirkandrewsGeorge Graham 2nd Baronet Graham Arms
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Musgrave of Cumcatch in Cumberland Musgrave Arms
GrandMother: Catherine Musgrave Musgrave Arms
Colonel James Graham 1649-1730Colonel James Graham Graham Arms