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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Stirlingshire is in Scotland.
1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge
22nd July 1298 Battle of Falkirk
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough. [Around September 1306] Christopher de Seton, who had married the new king's sister Mary [a mistake for Christina Bruce [aged 33]], and was an Englishman, having been captured in the castle of Loch Doon, and afterwards his wife and many others as well, the king ordered to be brought to Dumfries, where the knight [John Comyn] had been killed, and there to be drawn, hanged, and beheaded. The same sentence was passed on two of his brothers and on all the others who had agreed to and taken part in the death of Lord John Comyn; and this was done by the special command of the king.
Christoforum autem de Sethon, qui sororem novi regis duxerat nomine Mariam, et esset Anglicus, cum in castro de Lochdor captus esset, et post uxorque sua et multi alii, jussit rex adduci apud Dunfrees ubi militem occiderat, ibique trahi, suspendi et decollari. Simile judicium habuerunt duo fratres sui, et omnes alii qui morti domini Johannis Comyn consenserunt et interfuerunt; et hoc ex speciali præcepto regis.
Before 18th May 1425 Murdoch Stewart 2nd Duke Albany [aged 63] and his younger son Alexander Stewart were arrested and confined in St Andrew's Castle then moved to Caerlaverock Castle [Map]. His wife was arrested at the family's home of Doune Castle and imprisoned at Tantallon Castle.
Murdoch's son James "Fat aka Seamas Mòr" Stewart led the men of Lennox and Argyll in open rebellion against the crown. He attacked and burned the burgh of Dumbarton with much loss of life.
On 22nd July 1298 King Edward I of England [aged 59] defeated the Scottish army led by William Wallace during the 22nd July 1298 Battle of Falkirk at Falkirk [Map] using archers to firstly attack the Scottish shiltrons with the heavy cavalry with infantry completing the defeat.
John de Graham [aged 31] and John Stewart of Bonkyll [aged 52] were killed.
The English were described in the Falkirk Roll that lists 111 men with their armorials including:
Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick [aged 26].
Walter Beauchamp [aged 55].
Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk [aged 53].
Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex [aged 49].
Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford [aged 24].
Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester [aged 37].
William Ferrers 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 26].
Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley [aged 52].
Maurice Berkeley 7th and 2nd Baron Berkeley [aged 27].
Henry Grey 1st Baron Grey of Codnor [aged 43].
Reginald Grey 1st Baron Grey of Wilton [aged 58].
John Grey 2nd Baron Grey of Wilton [aged 30].
John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster [aged 29].
Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu [aged 48].
William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 43].
John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave [aged 42].
Nicholas Segrave [aged 42].
Robert de Vere 6th Earl of Oxford [aged 41].
Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby [aged 30].
Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln [aged 20].
Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster [aged 17].
John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey [aged 67].
Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy [aged 25].
Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon [aged 21].
Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel [aged 31].
Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan [aged 19].
John II Duke Brittany [aged 59].
Philip Darcy [aged 40].
Robert Fitzroger.
Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter [aged 51], or possiby a Roger Fitzwalter?.
Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke [aged 23].
John Wake 1st Baron Wake of Liddell [aged 30], and.
Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury [aged 47].
William Scrope [aged 53] was knighted.
John Moels 1st Baron Moels [aged 29] fought.
John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel [aged 44] fought.
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On 4th December 1214 King William I of Scotland [aged 71] died at Stirling [Map]. He was buried at Arbroath Abbey. His son Alexander [aged 16] succeeded II King Scotland.
On 15th October 1381, or 16th, William Deincourt 3rd Baron Deincourt [aged 23] died at Stirling [Map]. His son Ralph [aged 1] succeeded 4th Baron Deincourt.
On 28th October 1572 John Erskine 18th Earl of Mar died at Stirling [Map]. His son John [aged 10] succeeded 19th Earl Mar. Anne Drummond Countess Mar [aged 17] by marriage Countess Mar.
In 1578 John Lyon 8th Lord Glamis Was accidentally shot and killed in a street brawl in Stirling [Map] between his followers and those of David Lindsay, 11th Earl of Crawford. He was shot through the head.
In July 1326 Andrew Murray [aged 28] and Christina Bruce [aged 53] were married at Cambuskenneth Abbey. The difference in their ages was 25 years; she, unusually, being older than him. She the daughter of Robert Bruce Earl Carrick and Marjorie Carrick 3rd Countess Carrick.
John of Fordun's Chronicle. 11th September 1297. 99. Battle of Stirling Bridge
In the year 1297, the fame of William Wallace was spread all abroad, and, at length, reached the ears of the king of England; for the loss brought upon his people was crying out. As the king, however, was intent upon many troublesome matters elsewhere, he sent his treasurer, named Hugh of Clissingham, with a large force to repress this William's boldness, and to bring the kingdom of Scotland under his sway. When, therefore, he heard of this man's arrival, the aforesaid William, then busy besieging the English who were in Dundee Castle, straightway intrusted the care and charge of the siege of the castle to the burgesses of that town, on pain of loss of life and limb, and, with his army, marched on, with all haste, towards Strivelyn (Stirling), to meet this Hugh. A battle was then fought, on the 11th of September, near Strivelyn (Stirling), at the bridge over the Forth. Hugh of Clissingham was killed, and all his army put to flight: some of them were slain with the sword, others taken, others drowned in the waters. But, through God, they were all overcome; and the aforesaid William gained a happy victory, with no little praise. Of the nobles, on his side, the noble Andrew of Moray alone, the father of Andrew, fell wounded.
