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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Cockburnspath
Pease Bridge, Cockburnspath
Coldingham Priory
Eyemouth, Berwickshire
Fast Castle, Berwickshire
Reston, Berwickshire
Wedderburn Castle
Berwickshire is in Scotland.
On 29th May 1898 Walter Grindlay Simpson 2nd Baronet [aged 54] died at Balabraes Ayton. His son James [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Baronet Simpson of Strathavon and the City of Edinburgh.
Letters. 1403. Letter XXX. Christine Dunbar Countess of March to Henry IV [aged 35].
My most excellent and redoubted sovereign lord,.
I recommend myself to you as entirely as terrestrial creature can think or devise to the crowned king of the world, humbly thanking you on my knees for the high favours and benefits that you have conferred upon me before this time, piously supplicating for your gracious continuance, and particularly for the gracious refreshment which you lately sent. May God reward you for it, since I cannot.
My most gracious lord, may it please you to know that my lord my husband [aged 65] and I have been in such hardships and distress since we were banished from our country, that I am yet involved in heavy debt, from which without your gracious aid and succour I cannot deliver myself; and now the pestilence is so violent and severe where we are, that I am very fearful lest I shoald die in this great debt that I have incurred. And by no intreaty that we can make can we obtain sufferance from our enemies to retire to our fortress of Colbrandspath [Map], there to wait till the mortality has ceased. And for this cause I humbly entreat your high royal majesty that you will be pleased to have me in remembrance when you shall find leisure, and help me, that by your gracious relief I may be freed from the debt which makes me sad. Besides this, my most redoubted and gracious lord, we suffer great enmity on account of the death of Sir Henry Percy [aged 38], which oftentimes is so heavy to my husband and his people, that they wish themselves dead, if they may not retire from this country, seeing that the people of the said Sir Henry Percy do nothing but hear comfortable news of you, in order then to do the malice that is in their hearts. And, my most gracious and sovereign lord, touching the capture of our people by those attending on the Earl of Douglas [aged 13] deign to give credence to the bearer of this, and ordain such remedy as you please, according to what the said bearer shall tell you by word of mouth. And I pray most earnestly the ever-blessed God of Heaven to grant you a long life, with all increase of honour and joy, together with victory over yoar enemies; and after this mprtal life may he grant you the kingdom of glory. Amen.
Your humble oratrice, The Countess of March of Scotland.
Tudor Tracts Chapter 4. Monday the 5th of September [1547]. We marched a seven mile, till we came to a P!ace called The Peaths [Pease Bridge] [Map]. It is a valley running from a six mile west, straight eastward and toward the sea; a twenty score [400 yards] broad from bank to bank above, and a five score [100 yards] in the bottom, wherein runs a little river. So steep be these banks on either side, and deep to the bottom, that he who goeth straight down shall be in danger of tumbling; and the comer up so sure of puffing and pain. For remedy whereof, the travellers that way, have used to pass it, not by going directly, but by paths and footways leading slopewise: from the number of which paths they call it, somewhat nicely indeed, "The Peaths."
Bede. She had long requested the king [aged 25], that he would permit her to lay aside worldly cares, and to serve only the true King, Christ, in a monastery; and having at length with difficulty prevailed, she went as a nun into the monastery of the Abbess Ebba, who was aunt to King Egfrid, at the place called the city Coludi [Map], having taken the veil from the hands of the aforesaid Bishop Wilfrid; but a year after she was herself made abbess in the country called Ely, where, having built a monastery [Map], she began, by works and examples of a heavenly life, to be the virgin mother of very many virgins dedicated to God. It is reported of her, that from the time of her entering into the monastery, she never wore any linen but only woollen garments, and would rarely wash in any hot bath, unless just before any of the great festivals, as Easter, Whitsuntide, and the Epiphany, and then she did it last of all, after having, with the assistance of those about her, first washed the other servants of God there present; besides, she seldom did eat above once a day, excepting on the great solemnities, or some other urgent occasion, unless some considerable distemper obliged her. From the time of matins she continued in the church at prayer till it was day; some also say, that by the spirit of prophecy, she, in the presence of all, not only foretold the pestilence of which she was to die, but also the number of those that should be then snatched away out of her monastery. She was taken to our Lord, in the midst of her flock, seven years after she had been made abbess; and, as she had ordered, was buried among them, in such manner as she had died, in a wooden coffin.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 679. This year Elwin was slain, by the river Trent, on the spot where Everth [aged 34] and Ethelred fought. This year also died St. Etheldritha [aged 43]; and the monastery of Coldingiham [Map] was destroyed by fire from heaven.
Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. [1st August 1503] At the Comyng ny to Lambertonkerke, ther was for to receyve hyr of the Parte of the Kinge of Scotts, the Ryght Reverend Father in God my Lord the Archbischop of Glasco, and the Counte, both well acompayned with many Lordes, Knyghts, Gentylmen, and Squyers, honestly apoynted, with Jaketts alonly of Velvet, of Damaske, and of Charolett, and war all a Foot in Ordre, with grett Multitude of People apoynted, and mounted after the Manere of the Countre, of Jakets. Sum had theyr Armes armed apon theyr Jackeis. My Lord the Bischop of Morrey strongly did his Devor at the Semlynge of the two Partes. And ther war fyve Trompets or Claryons of the said Kinge, that blew at the Comming of the said Qwene. The wiche Mellodye was good to here and to se.
Before the said Scottysmen passed the Lords, Knyghts, and Gentlemen, makynge Gambaudes to the grett Gowre. And when the Qwene was come, the said Byschop of Morrey [aged 38], the said Archbishop, and the said Counte avaunced toward hyr, and they knellyng downe to the Grownde, mayd the Receyvinge. Ther war in Presence, th Arch Bischop of York [aged 54], the Bischop of Durham, and th Erle of Surrey [aged 60]. After thys, sche was brought to the Pavyllon ordonned for Recreacyon, and ny to that sam, sche was helped downe, and kyssed of the sayd Lordes, and by them she was brought to the Pavyllon, wher no body entred, except the Lordes and Ladyes: And within the sam was a Lady of the Countie clothed with Scarlatte, with Gentylwomen apoynted after ther Gyse, who had brought sum new Fruytts.
Ny to that sam Pavyllon war other thre. The one for the Pannetry, the tother for the Boutry, the tother for the Kytchin; and ther ichon delibered hymfelse to make good Chere and Drynk. For ther was Plante of Bred and Wyne, that ichon was countente.
After the Receyvynge doon, ichon putte hymfelse ageyn in Ordre, and the Qwene monted on Horsebak. The said Lord of Northumberlaun [aged 25] maid his Devor at the Departynge, of Gambads and Lepps, as did likewise the Lord Scrop the Father, and many others that retorned ageyn, in takynge ther Congie. And of the Compame abydynge, the Qwene was conveyed to hyr Lodgynge at Fast Castell [Map], wher she was welcomd by the Lord of the said Place, and of the Ladie, Suster of the said Byschop of Morrey.
The Company was lodged in the Abbay of Codyngham [Map], and in the Towne, wher was ordonned Mett and Drynke for them, and also Liveray for ther Horsys, of Hay and Otts, ychon to hys Quantyte.
The Nomber of the Scotts at the Mettynge of the said Qwene war by Estimacyon a thousand Personnes, wherof ther myght be V C. Horsys of the thousand, of grett Prece and well apoynted. And of the Company passynge thorough with hyr to the Reyme of Scotland, war in Nombre betwixt V and VI C. well horsed and apoynted.
Tudor Tracts Chapter 3. [Around 18th June 1544]. And upon the Tuesday next following, Sir George Bowes, Sir John Witherington, Henry Eure, and Lionel Grave rode to the Abbey of Coldingham [Map], and demanded the same; but it was denied earnestly, insomuch that after an assault made for five hours, it was burnt all saving the church, which having fire in the one end smoked so by the drift of the wind towards the Englishmen that it could not be conveniently then be burned. The store of the cattle and of the other goods there, served well for the spoil of the soldiers. In this Abbey were slain one monk and three other Scots. And amongst the English was one only gunner slain by a piece of ordnance shot out of the steeple.
In 1561 John Home of Cowdenknows and Quhitrig was born to James Home in Cowdenknowes.
On 22nd April 1592 James Home died in Cowdenknowes.
In 1628 John Home of Cowdenknows and Quhitrig [aged 67] died in Cowdenknowes.
In June 1492 Mungo Home of Earlstown, Berwickshire1492-1513 was born to John Home of Coldingknows [aged 39] in Earlstown, Berwickshire.
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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Chronicle of Scotland by Robert Lindesay Volume 1 Book 20 Chapter 18. Quhen the king campit on nicht in Ersilton1 and on the morne went to Wark [Map] and Norhame [Map] and cast them doune and thairefter past to Furde [Map] and cast thame doune and greit slaughter maid of the kingis men2 that stude about the house in the fallingis of the tymber. Sum sayis the lady of Furde3 was ane bewtiefull woman and that the king mellit witht hir and allso his sone the bischope of Sanct androis witht hir douchter, quhilk was against godis commandementis and against the order of all goode captanis of weir to begin at huredome and harlotrie befoir ony goode succes of battell or wictorie fallin into them. I beleif the stinkand adullterie and fornicatioun had ane greit pairt of4thair ewill succes5.
Note 1. I has "Ersiltoun".
Note 2. I adds "pioneris and vther."
Note 3. "Lady of Furde." This was Lady Heron, See Notes.
262. 19. Sum sayis the lady of Furde was ane bewltiefull woman and that the king mellit witht hir. Pitscottie evidently did not give implicit belief to the story, but only half credits it, because of the character of James in his relations with women (p. 263, I. 5, "I beleif," &c.)
The question whether an intrigue between James and the Lady Heron of Ford really affected the issue of Flodden has been keenly debated. Of the earlier Scotch historians, Pitscottie states it as a rumour, Buchanan as a fact, Leslie ignores it, Tytler follows Pitscottie, Hill Burton is sceptical, and Hume Brown, like Burton, qualifies the story by "it is said " ('History of Scotland,' vol. i. p. 335).
The arguments of Mr T. Hodgkin, D.C.L., in 'Archaologia Eliana,' 1891, certainly deserve serious consideration. Mr Hodgkin thinks the story may have originated from Lady Ford having made personal suit to James for the delivery of her husband, then a prisoner in Scotland, and for the abstaining from casting down his castle, after which she went to the camp of Surrey, to whom she gave information as to the Scotch army (Hall's Chronicles, p. 558). The argument may be pushed even further than he has done. Ford Castle was cast down, and her husband was not released. To crave his release was not the act of an adulteress. He also points out that the dates leave very little time for an intrigue which could have delayed the campaign, and that while James may have been at Ford Castle from 29th August till 5th September, a stay of twenty days at Ford is impossible, as he entered England only seventeen days before Flodden. Lady Ford cannot have gone to Surrey at York, as Pitscottie says, from Ford, for Surrey left York on 26th August, and she must have gone to him in any case some days before 5th September.
Note 4. I inserts "the wytt of"—i.e., blame of.
Note 5. See Notes.
263. 5-29. I beleif the stinkand adullterie and fornicatioun had ane greit pairt of thair ewill succes .... And hie againe as ane feminnat prince subdewit and intyssit be the allurment and jfallis desait of this wickit woman. Pitscottie's doubts here disappear, and he treats Lady Ford and James's intrigue as a fact. The opportunity of preaching a moral sermon was too strong for him to resist.
Tudor Tracts Chapter 4. Thursday the 1st of September [1547]. His Grace, with not many more than his own band of horsemen, rode to a town in the Scottish borders, standing upon the sea coast, a six mile from Berwick, and is called Eyemouth [Map]: where there runneth a river [Eye Mill water] into the sea, the which he caused to be sounded; and perceiving then the same to be well able to serve for a haven, hath since caused building to be made there, whereof both Master and Captain is Thomas Gower, Marshal of Berwick.
Collectanea by John Leland [1502-1552]. [1st August 1503] At the Comyng ny to Lambertonkerke, ther was for to receyve hyr of the Parte of the Kinge of Scotts, the Ryght Reverend Father in God my Lord the Archbischop of Glasco, and the Counte, both well acompayned with many Lordes, Knyghts, Gentylmen, and Squyers, honestly apoynted, with Jaketts alonly of Velvet, of Damaske, and of Charolett, and war all a Foot in Ordre, with grett Multitude of People apoynted, and mounted after the Manere of the Countre, of Jakets. Sum had theyr Armes armed apon theyr Jackeis. My Lord the Bischop of Morrey strongly did his Devor at the Semlynge of the two Partes. And ther war fyve Trompets or Claryons of the said Kinge, that blew at the Comming of the said Qwene. The wiche Mellodye was good to here and to se.
Before the said Scottysmen passed the Lords, Knyghts, and Gentlemen, makynge Gambaudes to the grett Gowre. And when the Qwene was come, the said Byschop of Morrey [aged 38], the said Archbishop, and the said Counte avaunced toward hyr, and they knellyng downe to the Grownde, mayd the Receyvinge. Ther war in Presence, th Arch Bischop of York [aged 54], the Bischop of Durham, and th Erle of Surrey [aged 60]. After thys, sche was brought to the Pavyllon ordonned for Recreacyon, and ny to that sam, sche was helped downe, and kyssed of the sayd Lordes, and by them she was brought to the Pavyllon, wher no body entred, except the Lordes and Ladyes: And within the sam was a Lady of the Countie clothed with Scarlatte, with Gentylwomen apoynted after ther Gyse, who had brought sum new Fruytts.
Ny to that sam Pavyllon war other thre. The one for the Pannetry, the tother for the Boutry, the tother for the Kytchin; and ther ichon delibered hymfelse to make good Chere and Drynk. For ther was Plante of Bred and Wyne, that ichon was countente.
After the Receyvynge doon, ichon putte hymfelse ageyn in Ordre, and the Qwene monted on Horsebak. The said Lord of Northumberlaun [aged 25] maid his Devor at the Departynge, of Gambads and Lepps, as did likewise the Lord Scrop the Father, and many others that retorned ageyn, in takynge ther Congie. And of the Compame abydynge, the Qwene was conveyed to hyr Lodgynge at Fast Castell [Map], wher she was welcomd by the Lord of the said Place, and of the Ladie, Suster of the said Byschop of Morrey.
The Company was lodged in the Abbay of Codyngham [Map], and in the Towne, wher was ordonned Mett and Drynke for them, and also Liveray for ther Horsys, of Hay and Otts, ychon to hys Quantyte.
The Nomber of the Scotts at the Mettynge of the said Qwene war by Estimacyon a thousand Personnes, wherof ther myght be V C. Horsys of the thousand, of grett Prece and well apoynted. And of the Company passynge thorough with hyr to the Reyme of Scotland, war in Nombre betwixt V and VI C. well horsed and apoynted.
Around 1335 Thomas Home of Home was born in Home.
Around 1368 Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas was born to Thomas Home of Home [aged 33] in Home.
Around 1427 Helen Home Lady Hailes was born to Alexander Home 1st Lord Home [aged 20] in Home. She married in or before 1452 Adam Hepburn 1st Lord Hailes and had issue.
In March 1532 Mary Hastings [aged 18] died at Huntington.
Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2. The King [aged 38] is gone to Huntington where he will stay till towards Candlemas. The Queen [aged 30] goes to Greenwich, Kent [Map] this Week, to give Whitehall some Ayre against that time; and presently after the King goes back sur ses brisees, and the Queen returns to Greenwich to lay down her great Belly, which is iook'd for about three Months hence.
Around 1728 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson [aged 60]. Portrait of Nathaniel Curzon 4th Baronet [aged 52], Mary Assheton Baroness Curzon [aged 34] and their son Nathaniel Curzon 1st Baron Scarsdale [aged 2]. Cromwell Museum.
Around 1730 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson [aged 62]. Portrait of Rich Ingram 5th Viscount Irvine. Cromwell Museum.
Around 1739 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson [aged 71]. Portrait of Thomas Cromwell [aged 40]. Cromwell Museum.
Thomas Cromwell: In 1699 he was born to Henry Williams Cromwell. In 1749 Thomas Cromwell died.
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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Before 28th May 1745 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson [aged 78]. Portrait of Philip Stanhope 4th Earl Chesterfield [aged 50]. Cromwell Museum.
On 22nd August 1860 James Maitland 9th Earl Lauderdale [aged 76] died unmarried at Thirlestane Castle. His brother Anthony [aged 75] succeeded 10th Earl Lauderdale, 10th Viscount Maitland, 10th Viscount Lauderdale, 3rd Baron Lauderdale of Thirlestane in Berwickshire, 6th Baronet Maitland of Ravelrig in Nova Scotia.
On 22nd June 1402 George Dunbar 10th Earl March [aged 64] commanded a force of around 200 men from the Berwick garrison who defeated a Scottish army of around 400 men at Nisbet during the Battle of Nesbit Moor. Patrick "Younger" of Hailes Hepburn [aged 50] was killed. John Cockburn, Thomas Haliburton, John Haliburton and Robert Lawedre were captured.
Tudor Tracts Chapter 4. Sunday the 4th of September [1547]. My Lord's Grace came from out of the town, and the army raised from out of the camp.
And after this disposition of order. That Sir Francis Bryan [aged 57], the Captain of Light Horsemen, with a four hundred of his band, should tend to the scout, a mile or two before; the carriage to keep along by the seacoast; and the Men of arms and the Demi-lances (divided into three troops, answering the three Wards) so to ride, in array, directly against the carriages a two flight shot asunder from them.
Our three Battles kept order in pace between them both. The Foreward, foremost; the Battle, in the midst; and the Rereward, hindermost: each Ward, his troop of horsemen, and guard of ordnance; and each piece of ordnance, his aid of Pioneers, for amendment of ways, where need should be found.
We marched a six mile, and camped by a village called Roston [Reston] [Map] in the barony of Bonkendale,
In 1407 David Home was born to David Home [aged 25] in Wedderburn Castle [Map].
In 1432 George Home was born to David Home [aged 25] in Wedderburn Castle [Map].
In 1491 David Home was born to George Home [aged 59] in Wedderburn Castle [Map].
Alexander Manderston Home was born to David Home in Wedderburn Castle [Map].