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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Gerlach Flicke 1520-1558

See Painters.

Around 1520 Gerlach Flicke was born in Osnabrück.

In 1544 Gerlach Flicke [aged 24]. Self-Portrait with his friend Henry Strangwish. The earliest known self-portrait in oils painted in England. The Latin inscription may be translated Such was the face of Gerlach Flicke when he was a painter in the City of London. This, he himself painted from a looking glass for his dear friends. So that they might have something to remember him after his death.

In 1544 Gerlach Flicke [aged 24]. Portrait of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [aged 54].

Before 1558 Gerlach Flicke [aged 37]. Portrait of Peter Carew [aged 44].

In 1558 Gerlach Flicke [aged 38] died.