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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Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans 1513-1571

Before 1513 Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans was born to Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans.

Before 1544 Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans [aged 31] and Dorothy Bowles were married.

Before 8th December 1557 [his wife] Dorothy Bowles died.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 8th December 1557. The viij day of Desember was bered my lade Rowlett, the wyff of ser Raff Rowllett [aged 44] knyght, in the parryche of santt Mare Stannyng, with ij haroldes of armes and iiij baners of emages and iiij dosen skochyons, and ij whyt branchys, and ij dosen torchys and iiij gylt candyll-stykes, and iiij gret tapurs; and mony morners, and the clothyng of the Gold-smythes; and ys servandes bare torchys in blake cotes.

Note. P. 160. Funeral of lady Rowlett. Dorothy, daughter of John Boles, of Wallington, co. Herts, and first wife of sir Ralph Rowlett, of whom see further in a subsequent note. There is a pedigree of Rowlett in Clutterbuck's Hertfordshire, vol. i. p. 217; but further information may be derived from that in the MS. Harl. 897, fol. 42.

On 27th June 1558 Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans [aged 45] and Margaret Cooke were married.

On 3rd August 1558 [his wife] Margaret Cooke died.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd August 1558. [The iij day of August was buried the lady Rowlett], wyff of ser Raffe Rowlett [aged 45] knyght, in [saint] Mare Staynnynges, with ij goodly whyt branchys, (blank) stayff torchys, and iiij gylt candyllstykes, and iiij grett tapurs, with ij haroldes of armes, and iiij baners of saints; (blank) was cheyffe morner, and mony .... The cherche and the raylles hangyd with blake, and the street and the plasse hangyd with armes and blake, and ij song masses and a sermon, and after masse to the [place] to dener, for ther was a grett dener for vene[son, fresh] solmon, and fres sturgean, and with mony dysse (of) fy[sh.] ...

Note. Ibid. Funeral of lady Rowlett. Sir Ralph buried two wives within seven months (see before, p. 362). The second was one of the daughters of sir [his father-in-law] Anthony Cooke [aged 54], and the circumstances of the marriage are thus mentioned in the Diary of sir Thomas Hoby [aged 28]: "Monday June 27, 1558, a mariage was made and solemnised between me and Elizabeth Cooke, daughter of sir Anthony Cooke knt. The same day was also her sister Margaret the queen's maid maried to sir Rauf Rowlet knt. who (i. e. the lady) shortly after departed out of this lief." (Communicated by the Right Hon. Lord Braybrooke.) "Sir Raff Rowlett had maryed ij. wyves, and dyed withowt issue of ether at his howsse of St. Albons the xixth of Apryll 1571, and was beryed in the parish church of St. Albons by his father the xxixth of May next foloinge." His father, also sir Ralph, had been one of the masters of the mint to Henry VIII.

On 20th April 1571 Ralph Rowlett of London and St Albans [aged 58] died.