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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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St Mary's Church, Chirk is in Chirk.
St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Interior.
St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Earl medieval carved effigy holding heart.
St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Exterior.
After 1674. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Monument to Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle and Maria Napier by John Bushnell of London. Life sized busts of Sir Thomas and his wife Maria flanked by obelisks carrying flaming urns. Black field curtained from a baldachin. The pedestalled busts stand on a moulded shelf, bracketed by a wide strapwork panel with a central Latin inscription, added in 1722.
Maria Napier: she was born to Robert Napier 1st Baronet and Mary Robinson. Before 2nd November 1624 Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle and she were married. In 1674 she died.
After 1675. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Monument to Elizabeth Wilbraham Lady Myddelton (deceased) wife of Thomas Myddelton 2nd Baronet (age 24). She died in childbirth, the child days later. Monument by John Bushnell of London. Reclining figure of Elizabeth Myddleton suckling an infant, set in front of a draped black panel flanked by pedestalled urns, the drapery eminating from a baldachin, heads each side, and crowned by arms. Below the shelf a cushioned panel in a strapwork cartouche, set in front of a lower shelf with a fullsome inscription, all also added in 1722.
Elizabeth Wilbraham Lady Myddelton: Around 1653 she was born to Thomas Wilbraham 3rd Baronet and Elizabeth Mytton Lady Wilbrahim. Before 1675 Thomas Myddelton 2nd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Myddelton of Chirk Castle. In 1675 Elizabeth Wilbraham Lady Myddelton died in childbirth.
After 1678. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial to Samuel Myddelton died 24 May 1678 aged ninety-eight.
On 29th April 1716 Richard Myddelton 3rd Baronet (age 61) died and was buried at St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. His funeral cost £365. His son William (age 22) succeeded 4th Baronet Myddelton of Chirk Castle.
After 1718. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Monument to Richard Myddelton 3rd Baronet and his wife Frances Whitmore Lady Myddelton, their daughter Frances Myddelton who died young and their son William Myddelton 4th Baronet (age 24) who died two years after his father. Sculpted by Robert Wynne of Ruthin, commissioned by Mary Myddelton.
White marble, a gadrooned and panelled base, with a long inscription, set forward carrying the life-sized recumbent figure of William Myddelton 4th Baronet, behind, his standing parents, fashionably dressed and flanking a corniced die with an urn crest, and displaying on its front a swaddled child. The figures are flanked by Corinthian Columns supporting an entablature, the cornice arched at the centre with roses on its soffit. Flaming urns stand above the columns, and the family crest, garlanded with a helmet and red hand crest above the arch.
Frances Myddelton: she was born to Richard Myddelton 3rd Baronet and Frances Whitmore Lady Myddelton. She died young.
William Myddelton 4th Baronet: Around 1694 he was born to Richard Myddelton 3rd Baronet and Frances Whitmore Lady Myddelton. On 29th April 1716 Richard Myddelton 3rd Baronet died and was buried at St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. His funeral cost £365. His son William succeeded 4th Baronet Myddelton of Chirk Castle. On 5th January 1718 William Myddelton 4th Baronet died unmarried. Baronet Myddelton of Chirk Castle extinct.
Mary Myddelton: she was born to Richard Myddelton 3rd Baronet and Frances Whitmore Lady Myddelton.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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After 19th August 1843. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial to Charlotte Myddelton (deceased).
After 19th August 1843. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Monument to Charlotte Myddelton (deceased). She the last remaining member of the Myddelton family who married Robert Myddelton-Biddulph by which Chirk Castle [Map] came into the possession of the Biddulph family who adopted the surname Myddelton-Biddulph.
Robert Myddelton-Biddulph: In March 1761 he was born. On 20th December 1796 Richard Myddelton died unmarried. His sister Charlotte Myddelton and her husband Robert Myddelton-Biddulph inherited Chirk Castle [Map]. On 24th December 1801 he and Charlotte Myddelton were married. She the heiress of her father Richard Myddelton and brother Richard Myddelton by which she and her husband inherited Chirk Castle [Map]. On 30th August 1814 he died.
After 19th August 1843. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial Ascension Window to Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph (age 38), and his sons Robert Myddelton-Biddulph and Gilbert Hugh Myddleton-Biddulph commissioned by Fanny Mostyn-Owen (age 36) wife and mother respectively.
Robert Myddelton-Biddulph: In 1843 he was born to Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph and Fanny Mostyn-Owen. On 4th September 1863 he died at Malta. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map].
Gilbert Hugh Myddleton-Biddulph: On 15th December 1848 he was born to Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph and Fanny Mostyn-Owen. On 11th February 1878 he died at Rome.
Fanny Mostyn-Owen: On 18th August 1807 she was born to William Mostyn-Owen of Woodhouse. On 31st May 1832 Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph and she were married. On 4th November 1887 she died.
After 1871. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial to the Myddelton-Biddulph family who owned Chirk Castle after 1796 including Charlotte Elizabeth Myddleton-Biddulph (age 63), Robert Myddelton-Biddulph, Fanny Charlotte Myddelton-Biddulph (age 38), Alice Myddelton-Biddulph (age 33) and Mary Caroline Myddelton-Biddulph (age 31).
After 11th February 1878. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial to Gilbert Hugh Myddleton-Biddulph (deceased).
After 28th September 1878. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial to Thomas Myddelton-Biddulph (deceased).
Thomas Myddelton-Biddulph: On 29th July 1809 he was born to Robert Myddelton-Biddulph and Charlotte Myddelton. On 16th February 1857 he and Mary Frederica Seymour were married. On 10th March 1863 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire being knighted on 27th March 1863. On 28th September 1878 he died.
Atfer 1887. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Monument to Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph and his wife Fanny Mostyn-Owen (age 79).
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
After 1890. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorials to the Hill-Trevor family including Gertrude Mary Hill-Trevor, Lieutenant Neville Windsor Hill-Trevor (age 20) and Arthur Edwin Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Baron Trevor (age 70).
Gertrude Mary Hill-Trevor: On 12th November 1850 she was born to Arthur Edwin Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Baron Trevor and Emily Mary Sutton. On 1st February 1870 Gertrude Mary Hill-Trevor died.
Lieutenant Neville Windsor Hill-Trevor: On 23rd January 1869 he was born to Arthur Edwin Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Baron Trevor and Mary Catherine Curzon Baroness Trevor. On 24th January 1900 Lieutenant Neville Windsor Hill-Trevor was killed in action at the battle of Battle of Spion Kop serving with the 2nd Life Guards of Thornycroft's Mounted Infantry.
After 1911 St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Window by Burlison and Grylls, commemorating the Hill-Trevor family including Mary Catherine Curzon Baroness Trevor (age 73), Charles Edwin Hlll Trevor 4th Baron Trevor and Nevill Edwin Hill-Trevor.
Charles Edwin Hlll Trevor 4th Baron Trevor: On 13th August 1928 he was born to Charles Edward Hill-Trevor 3rd Baron Trevor. On 22nd December 1950 Charles Edward Hill-Trevor 3rd Baron Trevor died. His son Charles succeeded 4th Baron Trevor of Brynkinalt in Denbighshire. On 1st January 1997 Charles Edwin Hlll Trevor 4th Baron Trevor died. His son Marke succeeded 5th Baron Trevor of Brynkinalt in Denbighshire.
Nevill Edwin Hill-Trevor: In 1931 he was born to Charles Edward Hill-Trevor 3rd Baron Trevor. In 2002 Nevill Edwin Hill-Trevor died.
After 21st December 1914. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Medals and memorial to Hillyar George Edwin Hill-Trevor (age 18) killed in action.
Hillyar George Edwin Hill-Trevor: On 31st December 1895 he was born to George Edwyn Hill-Trevor at the Hotel Paoli, Florence in Florence. On 21st December 1914 Hillyar George Edwin Hill-Trevor was killed in action at Givenchy in France where he has a memorial on which are inscribed 'FOR GOD AND COUNTRY', 'THINE O GOD HE WAS AND THINE HE IS IN PERFECT WE LEAVE HIM TILL WE MEET AGAIN' and 'CLOSE TO THIS SPOT SLEEPS IN ETERNAL PEACE HILLYAR GEORGE EDWIN HILL-TREVOR LT SCOTS GUARDS BELOVED ONLY CHILD OF THE HONBLE GEORGE EDWYN & ETHEL HILL-TREVOR OF BRYNKINALT CHIRK ENGLAND KILLED WHILE GALLANTLY LEADING HIS MEN DEC 21 1914 AGED 18 YEARS'.
After 1923. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorial to Arthur William Hill-Trevor 2nd Baron Trevor (age 70) commissioned by his wife Rosamund Catherine Petre Countess Bantry (age 65).
After 22nd December 1950. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Memorials to Charles Edward Hill-Trevor 3rd Baron Trevor (deceased) and his wife Phyllis May Sims Baroness Trevor (age 47).
Charles Edward Hill-Trevor 3rd Baron Trevor: On 22nd December 1863 he was born to Arthur Edwin Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Baron Trevor and Mary Catherine Curzon Baroness Trevor. On 19th May 1923 Arthur William Hill-Trevor 2nd Baron Trevor died. His half brother Charles succeeded 3rd Baron Trevor of Brynkinalt in Denbighshire. On 27th July 1927 Charles Edward Hill-Trevor 3rd Baron Trevor and Phyllis May Sims Baroness Trevor were married. She by marriage Baroness Trevor of Brynkinalt in Denbighshire. The difference in their ages was 39 years.
Phyllis May Sims Baroness Trevor: In 1903 she was born. In 1991 she died.
After 1894. St Mary's Churchyard, Chirk. Grave of Arthur Edwin Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Baron Trevor (age 74) and Mary Catherine Curzon Baroness Trevor (age 56).
After 8th November 1915. St Mary's Churchyard, Chirk. Commonwealth War Grave of 16/30 Rifleman J Collins of the Royal Irish Rifles died aged eighteen. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William John Collins, of Banoge, Donacloneg, Lurgan. 16th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Private Joseph Collins had taken ill and was invalided home from France to Brynkinalt Hospital, Wrexham, Wales, where after undergoing an operation he died on his eighteenth birthday. His mother received letters of sympathy from Captain H. F. Shepard, Lieutenant E. Somerfield, Rifleman R. McKeown and Rifleman W. J. Dreaning who wrote on behalf of the servicemen from Donaghcloney and district. Joseph was born in Donaghcloney and enlisted in Lurgan, prior to his enlistment he had been employed by Liddell and Sons.
After 1929. St Mary's Churchyard, Chirk. Grave of Augustus William West (age 63) husband of Edith Maria Hill-Trevor (age 67).
Augustus William West: Around 1866 he was born to Algernon West. Before 2nd August 1929 he and Edith Maria Hill-Trevor were married. On 2nd August 1929 he died.
Edith Maria Hill-Trevor: On 30th March 1861 she was born to Arthur Edwin Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Baron Trevor and Mary Catherine Curzon Baroness Trevor. On 14th November 1940 Edith Maria Hill-Trevor died.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
After 24th March 1946. St Mary's Churchyard, Chirk. Commonwealth War Grave of 1403645 Leading Aircraftman David Morris Williams Royal Air Force died 24 Mar 1946 aged twenty-four. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Attached to RAF North Witham, accidently drowned at Brampton. Son of David And Maria Ann Williams, of Chirk.
1906. The Trevor Mausloem, St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map] was erected to mark the loss of Mary Rosamund "Moyra" Hill-Trevor daughter of Arthur William Hill-Trevor 2nd Baron Trevor (age 53) and Rosamund Catherine Petre Countess Bantry (age 48) aged five years.
Monument sculpted by Ernesto Gazzeri (age 40).
Mary Rosamund "Moyra" Hill-Trevor: In 1899 she was born to Arthur William Hill-Trevor 2nd Baron Trevor and Rosamund Catherine Petre Countess Bantry. In 1904 Mary Rosamund "Moyra" Hill-Trevor died.
