Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Romaine Brooks aka Goddard is in Painters.
On 1st May 1874 Romaine Brooks aka Goddard was born.
1894. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 19).
1894. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 19). "Peter (A Young English Girl)".
On 3rd June 1903 John Ellingham Brooks (age 40) and Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 29) were married in Capri, Italy [Map].
In 1905, after leaving her husband [her husband] John Ellingham Brooks (age 42) with a generous annuity, Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 30) cut her hair, donned men's clothes and returned to Paris, where she began painting the portraits for which she became renowned.
1907. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 32). "The Black Cap".
1908-1910. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 33). "Madame Errázuriz".
1910. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 35). "Azalées Blanches" aka "White Azaleas".
1910 to 1913. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 35). "Spring" aka "La Primavera". Model believed to be Ida Rubinstein (age 26).
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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Around 1910. Photograph of Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 35).
In 1911 Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 36) began a relationship with Ida Rubinstein (age 27).
1914. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 39). "La France Croisée" i.e. "The Cross of France".
1917. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 42). Portrait of Ida Rubinstein (age 33).
1917. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 42). "At the Seaside". Self-Portrait.
1917. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 42). Self-Portrait.
1920. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 45). "Renata Borgatti at the Piano".
1924. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 49). "La Baronne Emile D'Erlanger".
1924. Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 49). "Una, Lady Troubridge (age 36)".
Margot Taylor aka Una Vincenzo Lady Troubridge: On 8th March 1887 she was born to Harry Ashworth Taylor and Minna Gordon Handcock. On 10th October 1908 Ernest Charles Troubridge and she were married. The difference in their ages was 24 years. On 24th September 1963 she died. She is buried in the Campo Verano Cemetery in Rome, and on her coffin is inscribed "Una Vincenzo Troubridge, the friend of Radclyffe Hall"
On 31st May 1929 [her husband] John Ellingham Brooks (age 66) died. He was buried at the Protestant Cimitero Acattolico, Capri [Map].
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.
1935. Photograph of Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 60) and Natalie Narney.
On 7th December 1970 Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 96) died. She is buried at the Cimetière Caucade, Nice.