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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Paternal Family Tree: Whitley
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Barratt 1571-1644
Elizabeth Whitley was born to Colonel Roger Whitley of Peel in Cheshire and Charlotte Gerard.
In 1662 [her mother] Charlotte Gerard died.
Before 7th August 1681 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet [aged 25] and Elizabeth Whitley were married. They were fourth cousins.
On 7th August 1681 [her son] [her husband] Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet [aged 25] and Elizabeth Whitley. He married before 20th September 1726 Martha Lloyd.
On 28th June 1689 [her father-in-law] [her husband] Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet [aged 66] died. His son John [aged 33] succeeded 2nd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 21st February 1690. Friday, one Potter of Chester dined with us; parted about 3. daughter Mainwaring went that morning towards Peover.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th February 1690. Wednesday, my [her brother] sonne [aged 39] & Morgan went towards Aston: (about 11) after dinner Huxley & Gardiner came to speake with my sonne about money; I gave them a bottle of beere & left them; about 5 Mr Lleeke came; then Mainwaring my daughter & Swetnam with them from Peover.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th May 1690. Thursday, Jackson & his wife went home; I went with Bidolph & Minshall about 3 to Tarvyn; there was Crew, Lee, Gleg, Aldersey, &c. about the militia; we parted about 5: 9. Friday, Scranmore & G.Mainwaring [aged 47] came to dine with us (daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire, & Charlotte & sisters to Mrs Williams funerall at Chester) Jackson, yong Henthorne, G.Mainwaring's cosen,&c. dined with us; Salisbury came with a periwig to Bidolph they all went about 6; Henthorne about 4; Minshall & Morgan stayd all night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th May 1690. Monday, Bostock & his men & Foster came to work; Mr Traverse came to see us & Savage to daughter Mainwaring; they dined with us, Bidolph Angell & Morgan daughters & sister Anne went (about 3) to Utkington; retorned about 7; Angell about 5; Traverse supt with us;.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 19th July 1690. Satorday, after dinner daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire & Peover & I & my sonne [aged 39] to Chester, alighted at Wrights, went to the Angells; thence I went to Booth's; there was Fernaugh & 2 others, they stayd not; I discoursed him about sister Whitley's suites; proposed a reference; left him presently; discoursed awhile with Anderson in the streete; went to the Sunne, there met Viccars, Jones, Parry, Murray, & Deane; Murray's brother came to us & the barber to trimme me; I left them past 6; went to Jackson's; there came to me Crosse, Gray, Farington, Bradshaw; then the Governor & Bell; they drank a glasse of wine & left us presently; after, I & sonne took coach (about 8) went home.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 21st July 1690. Monday, Alderman Mainwaring's man brought me 2 Irish letters from my [her brother] sonne [aged 39]; Crosse & Cotton came about sealing Cotton's lease for his house without the Norgate; dined with us; went past 2: daughters & sisters went to Utkinton, Cheshire, retorned at 8; G. Taylor came from Peover with a letter & venison from daughter Mainwaring.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th October 1690. Sonday, I went to church in the morning with [her brother] sonne [aged 39] & daughter Mainwaring; Mrs Huson came to see us in the evening; retorned past 5.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 2nd November 1690. Sonday, I went to church in the morning with daughter Mainwaring; [her brother] sonne [aged 39] came after us; Morgan & Huson came in the evening; Fletcher & Jordan dined here.
On 17th July 1697 [her father] Colonel Roger Whitley of Peel in Cheshire [aged 79] died. He was buried at the Church of St Deiniol, Hawarden, Flintshire. His inscription read Near this place lieth interred the body of Colonel Roger Whitley late of Peel in the County of Chester eldest son of Thomas Whitley, Esq. of Aston in this Parish by Elizabeth Brereton his second wife He married Charlotte sister of the Right Honourable Charles Gerard, Earl of Macclesfield and had by her issue three sons and six daughters viz. Gerard, Thomas, Roger, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Henrietta Maria, Penelope, Jane and Anne He died July 17th, 1697 This monument was erected to his memory by his grand-daughters Charlotte Mainwaring and Elizabeth Mainwaring daughters of Sir John Mainwaring of Peover in the County of Chester, Bart. and Elizabeth Whitley 1722.
On 4th November 1702 [her husband] John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet [aged 46] died. His son Thomas [aged 21] succeeded 3rd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
On 4th November 1719 Elizabeth Whitley died.
Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet: On 8th May 1656 he was born to Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet and Mary Delves. Before 7th August 1681 he and Elizabeth Whitley were married. They were fourth cousins. On 28th June 1689 Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet: On 7th August 1681 he was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley. Before 20th September 1726 he and Martha Lloyd were married. On 20th September 1726 he died. His nephew Henry succeeded 4th Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
[her son] Charlotte Mainwaring was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley.
[her son] Elizabeth Mainwaring was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley.
[her son] Henry Mainwaring was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley. He married 26th July 1725 Diana Blackett and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King William I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of King Philip IV of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Grandfather: Thomas Whitley of Aston in Flintshire
Father: Colonel Roger Whitley of Peel in Cheshire
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Brereton of Halgton in Flintshire
Grandmother: Elizabeth Brereton
Elizabeth Whitley 11 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gerard
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Gerard of Astley
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gilbert Gerard
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Holcroft
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ratcliff Gerard
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Radclyffe
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Ratclyffe
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Ratclyffe
Grandfather: Charles Gerard
Mother: Charlotte Gerard 10 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Fitton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Fitton 6 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Harbottle 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Fitton 7 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Warburton of Arley
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Warburton 14 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Winnington 13 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Fitton 1st Baronet 8 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Holcroft
Grandmother: Penelope Fitton 9 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Barratt
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Barratt