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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Charles Ewart 1769-1846

In 1769 Charles Ewart was born.

On 18th June 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo, Charles Ewart [aged 46] captured the Regimental Eagle of the 45e Régiment de Ligne. One of the most prized honours of the Scots Greys and, in commemoration of this, their cap badge shows the Eagle. The Eagle is now in Edinburgh Castle Museum. It is one of two Regimental Eagles captured during the Waterloo Campaign.

On 23rd March 1846 Charles Ewart [aged 77] died. His body was buried in the New Jerusalem Chapel graveyard in Bolton Street, Salford. His memorial read "In Memory of Ensign Charles Ewart, who departed March 23, 1846, aged 77 years". The grave was paved over and forgotten for many years,

In 1938 the grave of Charles Ewart was uncovered, and his body was reburied by the Royal Scots Greys (as they were then titled) on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle; the Ensign Ewart Monument [Map].