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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Baron Somers

There have been two creations of Baron Somers:

1st. 1697. John Somers 1st Baron Somers. Extinct. 26th April 1716.

2nd. 17th May 1784. Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers. Extant.

Baron Somers 1st Creation 1697

Summary

1697. 1st. John Somers 1st Baron Somers [aged 45] created.

26th April 1716. 1st. John Somers 1st Baron Somers extinct.

In 1697 John Somers 1st Baron Somers [aged 45] was created 1st Baron Somers.

On 26th April 1716 John Somers 1st Baron Somers [aged 65] died unmarried and without issue. Baron Somers extinct. His great nephew Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers became 1st Baron Somers of the second creation in 1784.

Baron Somers 2nd Creation 1784

Summary

17th May 1784. 1st. Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 58] created.

30th January 1806. 2nd. Son John Cocks 1st Earl Somers [aged 45] succeeded.

5th January 1841. 3rd. Son John Somers-Cocks 2nd Earl Somers [aged 52] succeeded.

5th October 1852. 4th. Son Charles Somers-Cocks 3rd Earl Somers [aged 33] succeeded.

26th September 1883. 5th. First Cousin Once Removed Philip Reginald Cocks 5th Baron Somers [aged 68] succeeded.

30th September 1899. 6th. Great Nephew Arthur Cocks 6th Baron Somers [aged 12] succeeded.

14th July 1944. 7th. Uncle Arthur Somers Cocks 7th Baron Somers [aged 79] succeeded.

8th February 1953. 8th. Son John Somers Cocks 8th Baron Somers [aged 45] succeeded.

15th September 1995. 9th. Second Cousin Once Removed Philip Somers Cocks 9th Baron Somers [aged 47] succeeded.

On 17th May 1784 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 58] was created 1st Baron Somers. His great-uncle was John Somers 1st Baron Somers.

On 30th January 1806 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 80] died. His son John [aged 45] succeeded 2nd Baron Somers.

On 5th January 1841 John Cocks 1st Earl Somers [aged 80] died. His son John [aged 52] succeeded 2nd Earl Somers, 2nd Viscount Eastnor of Eastor Castle in Herefordshire, 3rd Baron Somers. Caroline Yorke Countess Somers [aged 46] by marriage Countess Somers.

On 5th October 1852 John Somers-Cocks 2nd Earl Somers [aged 64] died. His son Charles [aged 33] succeeded 3rd Earl Somers 3rd Viscount Eastnor of Eastor Castle in Herefordshire, 4th Baron Somers. Virginia Somers-Cocks Countess Somers [aged 25] by marriage Countess Somers.

On 30th September 1899 Philip Reginald Cocks 5th Baron Somers [aged 84] died. His great nephew Arthur [aged 12] succeeded 6th Baron Somers.

On 14th July 1944 Arthur Cocks 6th Baron Somers [aged 57] died at Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire. His uncle Arthur [aged 79] succeeded 7th Baron Somers.

On 8th February 1953 Arthur Somers Cocks 7th Baron Somers [aged 88] died. His son John [aged 45] succeeded 8th Baron Somers.

On 15th September 1995 John Somers Cocks 8th Baron Somers [aged 88] died. His second cousin once removed Philip [aged 47] succeeded 9th Baron Somers.