Westminster Chronicle of King Richard II, 1381-1394

The Westminster Chronicle is one of the most vivid and important narrative sources for the reign of Richard II. Written by an anonymous chronicler closely connected with Westminster Abbey, it covers the years 1381 to 1394, from the Peasants’ Revolt to the political tensions, court ceremonies, diplomatic negotiations, royal progresses, and public crises of Richard’s later reign. Rich in detail the chronicle records major events such as the conflicts between the King and Lords Appellant, King and the City of London, negotiations with France and Scotland, the death and funeral of Queen Anne of Bohemia, the illness of Charles VI of France, and the changing fortunes of leading nobles including John of Gaunt, Thomas of Gloucester, Robert de Vere, and the Earl of Arundel. The Chronicle offers readers a remarkable window into late fourteenth-century England, combining political observation, courtly spectacle, urban drama, ecclesiastical affairs, and moral judgement. It is an essential source for anyone interested in medieval monarchy, London, Westminster, and the troubled reign of Richard II.

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Carreg Sampson aka Longhouse Burial Chamber, Abercastle, Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, British Isles [Map]

Carreg Sampson aka Longhouse Burial Chamber is in Abercastle, Pembrokeshire, Prehistoric Wales Neolithic Burials.

Archaeologia Cambrensis 1872 Pages 81-143. The Longhouse cromlech [Carreg Sampson aka Longhouse Burial Chamber [Map]] is the finest of those in this part of the country, and, perhaps, one of the finest in all Wales. It is somewhat masked by the hedge and bank against which it stands, and which have not been introduced in the drawing. In Fenton's time the capstone rested on four of the uprights: at present it rests on three. The six uprights, however, mentioned by him still remain. He also states the length of the capstone to be from 16 to 18 ft.; but its maximum length, according to Sir Gardner Wilkinson, is 15 ft. It 1s nearly 9 ft. across in the broadest part; the highest supporter being 5 ft. 8 ins. long, and the lowest 4 ft. 7ins. It stands in an elevated position, within sight of the sea. All traces of its former covering have disappeared, as the land on which it stands has been for a long time cultivated.