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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Henry Crofts 1590-1667

Paternal Family Tree: Crofts

Maternal Family Tree: Frideswide Frowyk -1528

In June 1590 Henry Crofts was born to John Crofts [aged 27] and Mary Shirley.

In or before 1611 Henry Crofts [aged 20] and Elizabeth Wortley [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of Richard Wortley and Elizabeth Boughton Countess Devonshire [aged 42].

Around 1611 William Crofts 1st Baron Crofts was born to Henry Crofts [aged 20] and [his wife] Elizabeth Wortley [aged 21]. He married 1. in or after 1663 his fourth cousin Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven, daughter of William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer and Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton 2. before 25th February 1663 his fourth cousin Dorothy Hobart, daughter of John Hobart 2nd Baronet and Frances Egerton Lady Hobart.

On 3rd February 1611 Henry Crofts [aged 20] was knighted.

Before 1612 Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Cleveland [aged 20] and [his sister] Anne Crofts Countess Cleveland were married. She by marriage Baroness Wentworth. They were second cousin once removed.

Around 1623 [his son] Charles Crofts was born to Henry Crofts [aged 32] and [his wife] Elizabeth Wortley [aged 33].

In 1624 Henry Crofts [aged 33] was elected MP Eye.

In 1626 Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Cleveland [aged 35] was created 1st Earl Cleveland. [his sister] Anne Crofts Countess Cleveland by marriage Countess Cleveland.

In 1626 Henry Crofts [aged 35] was elected MP Derby.

On 29th March 1628 [his father] John Crofts [aged 65] died.

In 1634 Edward Radclyffe 6th Earl of Sussex [aged 75] and [his sister-in-law] Eleanor Wortley Countess Sussex Warwick Manchester were married. She by marriage Countess of Sussex. She the daughter of Richard Wortley and [his mother-in-law] Elizabeth Boughton Countess Devonshire [aged 66]. They were fourth cousin once removed.

On 16th January 1637 [his sister] Anne Crofts Countess Cleveland died.

After 1643 Frederick Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis [aged 31] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Crofts were married.

On 1st October 1643 [his wife] Elizabeth Wortley [aged 53] died.

In 1644 [his son] Charles Crofts [aged 21] was killed in a duel with the queen's dwarf Geoffrey Hudson. See Letters of Herietta Maria

Around March 1649 [his mother] Mary Shirley died.

Before October 1649 Edmund Pooley of Bradley in Suffolk [aged 30] and [his daughter] Hester Crofts were married.

In April 1660 Henry Crofts [aged 69] was elected MP Bury St Edmond in the Convention Parliament.

In or after 1663 William Crofts 1st Baron Crofts [aged 52] and Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven [aged 46] were married. They were fourth cousins.

Before 25th February 1663 William Crofts 1st Baron Crofts [aged 52] and [his daughter-in-law] Dorothy Hobart [aged 43] were married. They were fourth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

In March 1667 Henry Crofts [aged 76] died. He was buried on Little Saxham, Suffolk.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Crofts was born to Henry Crofts and Elizabeth Wortley. She married after 1643 Frederick Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis.

[his daughter] Hester Crofts was born to Henry Crofts and Elizabeth Wortley. She married before October 1649 Edmund Pooley of Bradley in Suffolk and had issue.

[his father] John Crofts and [his mother] Mary Shirley were married.

Royal Ancestors of Henry Crofts 1590-1667

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King William I of Scotland

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Philip IV of France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Kings Spain: Great x 14 Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon

Ancestors of Henry Crofts 1590-1667

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Crofts

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Crofts

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Crofts

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Croftes

Grandfather: Thomas Crofts

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Kitson

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath

Father: John Crofts 8 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Poley

Grandmother: Susannah Crofts 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 4th Baron Despencer 4 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Wentworth 5th Baron Despencer 5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Saye Baroness Despencer 8 x Great Granddaughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth 6 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Tyrrell

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Tyrrell Baroness Despencer 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Arundell 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Wentworth 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fortescue

Great x 3 Grandfather: Adrian Fortescue 9 x Great Grandson of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Boleyn 8 x Great Granddaughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Fortescue Baroness Wentworth 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Stonor 6 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Stonor 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Neville 3 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Henry Crofts 9 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Shirley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Shirley 11 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Blount 10 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Shirley 12 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bellingham

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Bellingham

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Shirley 13 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Grandfather: Thomas Shirley 14 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Mother: Mary Shirley 10 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Kempe

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Kempe

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Kempe

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Kempe 8 x Great Grandson of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Browne

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Browne 6 x Great Grandson of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Fitzalan 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Browne 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry III of England

Grandmother: Anne Kempe 9 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cheney

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cheney

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cheney

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret aka Agnes Young

Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Cheney

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Frowyk

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Frowyk

Great x 2 Grandmother: Frideswide Frowyk