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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Lord Chamberlain of the Household is in Royal Household.
In 1337 Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh [aged 50] was appointed Admiral of the Fleet from the mouth of the Thames westward, Constable of the Tower of London, Lord Chamberlain of the Household and Seneschal of Ponthieu.
In 1371 William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 40] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
In 1373 Robert Assheton was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household which office he held until the death of King Edward III in 1377.
In 1399 Thomas Erpingham [aged 44] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
After 1422 William Phelip [aged 39] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
After 29th September 1422 Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell [aged 19] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VI of England and II of France.
In 1450 Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell [aged 47] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 28].
In 1526 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 56] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 34].
In 1540 William Goring of Burton in Sussex [aged 39] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England [aged 24] which office he held until 1546.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th December 1557. The xxv day of Desember wher dyvers [courtiers] was removyd unto he-her [higher] rommys; as ser Edward Hastynges [aged 36], master of the quen's hors, was mad lord chamburlayn; and ser Thomas Cornwalles comptroller; ser Hare Jarnyngham [aged 45] the master of the hors; and ser Hare Benefeld [aged 48] fee-chamburlayn and captayn of the gard.
On 25th December 1557 Edward Hastings 1st Baron Hastings of Loughborough [aged 36] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
In July 1585 Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon [aged 59] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 51].
On 13th April 1641 Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 48] was attainted by 204 votes to 59 ostensibly for his authoritarian rule as Lord Deputy of Ireland. Despite his promise not to King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] signed the death warrant on the 10th May 1641 in the light of increasing pressure from Parliament and the commons.
Wenceslaus Hollar [aged 33]. Engraving of the Trial of Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford with the following marked:
A. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.
C. Henrietta Maria Bourbon Queen Consort England [aged 31].
D. King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 10].
E. Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 55], Lord High Steward.
F. Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester [aged 78], Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.
G. John Paulet 5th Marquess Winchester [aged 43].
H. Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey [aged 58], Lord Chamberlain.
I. Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 56], Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
V. Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford.
Z. Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk [aged 56].
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th September 1677. His lady [aged 43] (being one of the Brederode's daughters, grandchild to a natural son of Henry Frederick, Prince of Orange) [Note. Evelyn confused here. Elisabeth Nassau Beverweert Countess Arlington was the daughter of Louis Nassau Beverweert who was the illegitimate son of Prince Maurice I of Orange. Frederick Henry Orange Nassau II Prince Orange was the younger brother of Prince Maurice I of Orange.] is a good-natured and obliging woman. They love fine things, and to live easily, pompously, and hospitably; but, with so vast expense, as plunges my Lord [aged 59] into debts exceedingly. My Lord himself is given into no expensive vice but building, and to have all things rich, polite, and princely. He never plays, but reads much, having the Latin, French, and Spanish tongues in perfection. He has traveled much, and is the best bred and courtly person his Majesty [aged 47] has about him, so as the public Ministers more frequent him than any of the rest of the nobility. While he was Secretary of State and Prime Minister, he had gotten vastly, but spent it as hastily, even before he had established a fund to maintain his greatness; and now beginning to decline in favour (the Duke being no great friend of his), he knows not how to retrench. He was son of a Doctor of Laws, whom I have seen, and, being sent from Westminster School [Map] to Oxford, with intention to be a divine, and parson of Arlington, a village near Brentford, when Master of Arts the Rebellion falling out, he followed the King's Army, and receiving an HONORABLE WOUND IN THE FACE, grew into favor, and was advanced from a mean fortune, at his Majesty's Restoration, to be an Earl and Knight of the Garter, Lord Chamberlain of the Household, and first favorite for a long time, during which the King married his natural son, the Duke of Grafton [aged 13], to his only daughter [aged 9] and heiress, as before mentioned, worthy for her beauty and virtue of the greatest prince in Christendom. My Lord is, besides this, a prudent and understanding person in business, and speaks well; unfortunate yet in those he has advanced, most of them proving ungrateful. The many obligations and civilities I have received from this noble gentleman, extracts from me this character, and I am sorry he is in no better circumstances.
John Charleton 2nd Baron Cherleton was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
John Charleton 1st Baron Cherleton was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household.