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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Paternal Family Tree: Carolingian
Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine and Richgard Unknown Holy Roman Empress were married. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress, Queen Consort East Francia, Queen Consort West Francia, Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of Louis "German" II King East Francia and Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia.
In or before 828 Louis "German" II King East Francia [aged 23] and Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort East Francia. He the son of [his grandfather] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine and the Franks [aged 49] and [his grandmother] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
On 13th June 839 Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine was born to Louis "German" II King East Francia [aged 35] and Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia [aged 36].
Around 870 [his son] Bernard Carolingian was born to Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine [aged 30].
In 876 Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia [aged 73] died.
In 876 Louis "German" II King East Francia [aged 72] died. His son Carloman [aged 47] succeeded King Bavaria.
On 28th August 876 Louis "Younger" King Saxony King Bavaria [aged 41] succeeded King Saxony. Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine [aged 37] succeeded King East Francia.
On 22nd March 880 Carloman King Bavaria [aged 51] died.
On 12th February 881 Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine [aged 41] succeeded Holy Roman Emperor.
Assers Life of Alfred 884. 884. 70. Charles, King of the Alemanni.155 In that same year also, Charles [aged 44], King of the Alemanni, received with universal consent the kingdom of the West Franks, and all the kingdoms which lie between the Tyrrhene Sea and that gulf156 situated between the Old Saxons and the Gauls, with the exception of the kingdom of Armorica.157 This Charles was the son of King Louis158, who was brother of Charles, King of the Franks, father of Judith, the aforesaid queen; these two brothers were sons of Louis159, Louis being the son of Charlemagne, son of Pepin.
Note 155. Mainly from the Chronicle.
Note 156. The North Sea.
Note 157. Brittany.
Note 158. Louis the German.
Note 159. Louis the Pious.
On 12th December 884 Carloman II King West Francia [aged 18] died. His half first cousin once removed Charles [aged 45] succeeded III King West Francia, King Aquitaine.
On 13th January 888 Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine [aged 48] died.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 887. This year the army advanced beyond the bridge at Paris;38 and then upwards, along the Seine, to the Marne. Then upwards on the Marne as far as Chezy; and in their two stations, there and on the Yonne, they abode two winters. This same year died Charles, king of the Franks [aged 47]. Arnulf, his brother's son, had six weeks before his death bereft him of his kingdom; which was now divided into five portions, and five kings were consecrated thereto. This, however, was done with the consent of Arnulf; and they agreed that they should hold in subjection to him; because none of them had by birth any claim on the father's side, except him alone. Arnulf, therefore, dwelt in the country eastward of the Rhine; Rodulf took to the middle district; Oda to the western; whilst Berenger and Witha became masters of Lombardy and the Cisalpine territory. But they held their dominion in great discord; fought two general battles, and frequently overran the country in partial encounters, displacing each other several times. The same year also, in which the Danish army advanced beyond the bridge at Paris, Alderman Ethelhelm led the alms of the West-Saxons and of King Alfred to Rome.
Note 38. This bridge was built, or rebuilt on a larger plan than before, by Charles the Bald, in the year 861, "to prevent the Danes or Normans (says Felibien) from making themselves masters of Paris so easily as they had already done so many times," etc.—"pour empescher que les Normans ne se rendissent maistres de Paris aussi facilement qu'ils l'avoient deja fait tant de lois," etc.—Vol. i. p. 91, folio. It is supposed to be the famous bridge afterwards called "grand pont" or "pont au change",—the most ancient bridge at Paris, and the only one which existed at this time.
Kings France: Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor -2 x Great Grandson of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Grandfather: Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine and the Franks son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 1 Grandmother: Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress
Father: Louis "German" II King East Francia Grandson of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 3 Grandfather: Sigramnus Count of Hesbaye
Great x 2 Grandfather: Sigram of Hesbaye
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lambert Count of Hesbaye
Great x 3 Grandmother: Landrada of Hesbaye
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ingerman Count of Hesbaye
Grandmother: Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine
Charles "Fat" King East Francia Holy Roman Emperor III King West Francia King Aquitaine Great Grandson of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Grandfather: Welf
Mother: Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia
Great x 1 Grandfather: Isambart "The Saxon" Saxony
Grandmother: Hedwig Saxony