Paternal Family Tree: Ridley of Blagdon Hall, Northumberland
On 14th November 1711 Matthew Ridley was born to Richard Ridley of Heaton and Newcastle upon Tyne.
In 1724 Matthew Ridley [aged 12] commenced his education at Westminster School [Map].
In December 1727 Matthew Ridley [aged 16] matriculated St John's College, Oxford University.
In 1730 Matthew Ridley [aged 18] was awarded Master of Arts.
In 1733 Matthew Ridley [aged 21] was elected Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne.
On 18th November 1742 Matthew Ridley [aged 31] and Elizabeth White [aged 21] were married.
On 28th October 1745 [his son] Matthew White Ridley 2nd Baronet was born to Matthew Ridley [aged 33] and [his wife] Elizabeth White [aged 24].
On 5th March 1749 [his son] Nicholas Ridley of Link House, Blyth was born to Matthew Ridley [aged 37] and [his wife] Elizabeth White [aged 28]. He married 23rd November 1790 Letitia Atkins.
In 1756 [his brother-in-law] Matthew White 1st Baronet [aged 29] was created 1st Baronet White of Blagdon in Northumberland, with remainder to the heirs male of his sister Elizabeth White [aged 35], wife of Matthew Ridley [aged 44].
In 1764 [his wife] Elizabeth White [aged 43] died.
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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On 6th April 1778 Matthew Ridley [aged 66] died. Monument at the Cathedral Church St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne [Map] sculpted by John "The Elder" Bacon [aged 37].