Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Baronet is in Scotland Lords Temporal.
On 24th August 1822 William Arbuthnot 1st Baronet [aged 55] was created 1st Baronet Alves of Edinburgh.
In 1627 Walter Aston 1st Baronet [aged 43] was created 1st Baronet Aston of Forfar. The title appears to have been created with a special remainder to heirs male of Edward Aston and his brother William Aston of Milwich [aged 72] since when the 5th Baronet died a descendant of William Aston of Milwich succeeded.
On 13th August 1639 Walter Aston 1st Baronet [aged 55] died. His son Walter [aged 30] succeeded 2nd Baronet Aston of Tixall and 2nd Baronet Aston of Forfar.
On 23rd April 1678 Walter Aston 2nd Baronet [aged 69] died. His son Walter [aged 45] succeeded 3rd Baronet Aston of Tixall and 3rd Baronet Aston of Forfar.
On 24th November 1714 Walter Aston 3rd Baronet [aged 81] died. His son Walter [aged 54] succeeded 4th Baronet Aston of Tixall and 4th Baronet Aston of Forfar.
On 4th April 1748 Walter Aston 4th Baronet [aged 88] died. His son James [aged 24] succeeded 5th Baronet Aston of Tixall and 4th Baronet Aston of Forfar.
The London Gazette 28083. Whitehall, November 26, 1907. The King has been pleased lo direct the preparation of Warrants, under His Majesty's Royal Sign Manual, authorizing Letters Patent to be passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain .and Ireland, conferring the dignity of a Baronet of the said United Kingdom upon each-of the undermentioned Gentlemen, and the heirs male of their respective bodies lawfully begotten:.
Sir Herbert Ashman of Cook's Folly in the city and county of Bristol. Knight.
Clifford John Gory of Llantarnam Abbey in the county of Monmouth, Esquire.
William Bilsland [aged 60]Park Circus in the city of Glasgow,Esquire, Lord Provost of the said city. [Agnes Anne Steven Lady Bilsland by marriage Lady Bilsland of Park Circus in Glasgow.]
Jeremiah Colman of Gatton Park in the parish of Gatton in the county of Surrey, Esquire.
Edward Donner of Oak Mount in the city of Manchester, Esquire.
Frank Hollins of Greyfriars in the parish of Broughton in the Northern Divisio of the County Palatine of Chester, Esquire.
On 27th August 1921 William Bilsland 1st Baronet [aged 74] died. His son Steven [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Baronet Bilsland of Park Circus in Glasgow.
On 10th December 1970 Steven Bilsland 1st Baron Bilsland [aged 78] died. Baron Bilsland of Kinrara in Inverness-shire and Baronet Bilsland of Park Circus in Glasgow extinct.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In or before 1726 James Dalrymple 2nd Baronet [aged 33] and Christian Hamilton Lady Dalrymple [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Lady Dalrymple. She the daughter of Thomas Hamilton 6th Earl Haddington [aged 45] and Helen Hope Countess Haddington [aged 48].
In 1660 George Hamilton 1st Baronet of Donalong [aged 53] was created 1st Baronet Donalong by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 29] for his allegiance to the Crown.
In 1866 James Williams-Drummond 3rd Baronet [aged 52] died. His son James [aged 9] succeeded 4th Baronet Drummond-Williams of Hawthornden in Midlothian.
The London Gazette 11453. St. James's. May 3. [1774]
The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baronet of the Kingdom of Great Britain, unto the following Gentlemen, viz.
Richard Clayton, of Adlington, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, Esq; and, in Default of Issue Male, to the Heirs Male of John Clayton, Esq; his late Father, deceased, and their Heirs Male;
Archibald Edmonstone [aged 56], of Duntreatb, in the Coonty of Stirling, North Britain, Esq;
Walden Hanmer, of Hanmer, in the County of Flint, Esq;
Richard Symons, of the Meend, in the County of Hereford, Esq;
William Lemon, of Carelew, in the County of Cornwall, Efqj
Francis Blake, of Twisel Castle, in the County Palatine of Durham, Esq;
Martin Folkes [aged 24], of Hillington Hall, in the County of Norfolk, Esq;
William Jones, of Ramsbury Manor, in the County os Wilts* Esq;
William Montgomery, of Macbiehill, in the Shire of Tweedale, North Britain, Esq;
Philip Gibbes, of Spring Head, in the Island of Barbadoes, Esq;
Charles Raymond, of Valentine House, in the County of Essex, Esq; and, in Default of Issue Male, to William Burrell, of Beckenham, in the County of Kent, Esq; and his Heirs Male by Sophia his Wife, Daughter of the said Charles Raymond. And,
John Smith, of Sydling Saint Nicholas, in the County of Dorset, Esq;
On 20th July 1807 Archibald Edmonstone 1st Baronet [aged 89] died. His son Charles [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Baronet Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
On 1st April 1821 Charles Edmonstone 2nd Baronet [aged 57] died. His son Archibald [aged 26] succeeded 3rd Baronet Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
On 15th March 1871 Archibald Edmonstone 3rd Baronet [aged 76] died. His half brother William [aged 61] succeeded 4th Baronet Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
On 18th February 1888 William Edmonstone 4th Baronet [aged 78] died. His son Archibald [aged 20] succeeded 5th Baronet Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
On 30th November 1895 Archibald Edmonstone 5th Baronet [aged 28] and Ida Agnes Forbes [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Lady Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
On 1st April 1954 Archibald Edmonstone 5th Baronet [aged 86] died. His son Archibald [aged 55] succeeded 6th Baronet Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 5th June 1954 Archibald Edmonstone 6th Baronet [aged 55] died. His son Archibald [aged 19] succeeded 7th Baronet Edmonstone of Duntreath in Stirlingshire.
On 25th July 1778 John Eliot 1st Baronet [aged 42] was created 1st Baronet Eliot of Pebbles.
On 8th November 1787 John Eliot 1st Baronet [aged 51] died at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire [Map], the seat of his friend Penistone Lamb 1st Viscount Melbourne [aged 42]. He was buried at St Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield [Map]. Baronet Eliot of Pebbles extinct.
In 1700 Gilbert Elliot 1st Baronet [aged 50] was created 1st Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 1st May 1718 Gilbert Elliot 1st Baronet [aged 68] died. His son Gilbert [aged 25] succeeded 2nd Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 16th April 1766 Gilbert Elliot 2nd Baronet [aged 73] died. His son Gilbert [aged 43] succeeded 3rd Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 11th February 1777 Gilbert Elliot 3rd Baronet [aged 54] died. His son Gilbert [aged 25] succeeded 4th Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 21st June 1814 Gilbert Elliot 1st Earl Minto [aged 63] died at his home 4 Prince's Terrace, Kensington. He was buried in Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son Gilbert [aged 31] succeeded 2nd Earl Minto of Minto in Roxburghshire, 5th Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 31st July 1859 Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound 2nd Earl Minto [aged 76] died. His son Gilbert [aged 45] succeeded 3rd Earl Minto of Minto in Roxburghshire, 6th Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 17th March 1891 Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound 3rd Earl Minto [aged 76] died. His son Gilbert [aged 45] succeeded 4th Earl Minto of Minto in Roxburghshire, 7th Baronet Elliot of Minto. Mary Caroline Grey Countess Minto [aged 33] by marriage Countess Minto of Minto in Roxburghshire.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 1st March 1914 Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound 4th Earl Minto [aged 68] died. His son Victor [aged 23] succeeded 5th Earl Minto of Minto in Roxburghshire, 8th Baronet Elliot of Minto.
On 13th August 1642 John Gordon 1st Baronet [aged 32] was created 1st Baronet Gordon of Haddo for suppressing the Conventers.
On 19th July 1644 John Gordon 1st Baronet [aged 34] was beheaded for treason. His son John [aged 12] succeeded 2nd Baronet Gordon of Haddo for suppressing the Conventers.
On 26th February 1668 James Douglas 1st Baronet [aged 28] was created 1st Baronet Kelhead. Catherine Douglas Lady Kelhead by marriage Lady Kelhead.
On 10th October 1733 William Douglas 2nd Baronet [aged 58] died. His son John [aged 25] succeeded 3rd Baronet Kelhead.
On 21st March 1772 William Douglas 4th Baronet [aged 42] and Grace d William Johnstone Lady Kelhead were married. She by marriage Lady Kelhead.
On 13th November 1778 John Douglas 3rd Baronet [aged 70] died. His son William [aged 48] succeeded 4th Baronet Kelhead.
On 16th May 1783 William Douglas 4th Baronet [aged 53] died. His son Charles [aged 6] succeeded 5th Baronet Kelhead.
On 3rd December 1837 Charles Douglas 6th Marquess Queensberry [aged 60] died. His brother John [aged 58] succeeded 7th Marquess Queensberry, 9th Earl Queensberry, 8th Lord Douglas Hawick, 6th Lord Drumlanrig, 6th Baronet Kelhead. Sarah Douglas Marchioness Queensbury by marriage Marchioness Queensberry.
On 19th December 1856 John Douglas 7th Marquess Queensberry [aged 77] died. His son Archibald [aged 38] succeeded 8th Marquess Queensberry, 10th Earl Queensberry, 9th Lord Douglas Hawick, 7th Lord Drumlanrig, 7th Baronet Kelhead. Caroline Clayton Marchioness Queensbury [aged 35] by marriage Marchioness Queensberry.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
William Douglas 2nd Baronet was created 2nd Baronet Kelhead. Helen Erskine Lady Kelhead by marriage Lady Kelhead.
In 1962 Martin Lindsay [aged 56] was created 1st Baronet Lindsay of Dowhill in Kinross-shire.
In 1627 Colin Campbell 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Lundie.
On 15th March 1836 Lieutenant-General Kenneth MacKenzie Douglas 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet MacKenzie of Glenbervie.
On 26th April 1933 James Ian Macpherson 1st Baron Strathcarron [aged 52] was created 1st Baronet Macpherson of Drumalban.
On 3rd February 1866 James Young Simpson 1st Baronet [aged 54] was created 1st Baronet Simpson of Strathavon and the City of Edinburgh.
On 6th May 1870 James Young Simpson 1st Baronet [aged 58] died at 52 Queen Street Edinburgh. His son Walter [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baronet Simpson of Strathavon and the City of Edinburgh.
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.
On 16th March 1924 James Walter Mackay Simpson 3rd Baronet [aged 41] died. Baronet Simpson of Strathavon and the City of Edinburgh extinct.