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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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 964. This year drove King Edgar [aged 21] the priests of Winchester out of the old minster, and also out of the new minster; and from Chertsey [Map]; and from Milton [Map]; and replaced them with monks. And he appointed Ethelgar abbot to the new minster, and Ordbert to Chertsey, and Cyneward to Milton [Map].
In 964 Bishop Cyneweard was appointed Abbot of Milton Abbey, Dorset [Map].
In 973 or 974 Bishop Cyneweard was consecrated Bishop of Wells.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. [28th June 975] Of royal race ten nights before departed hence Cyneward the good prelate of manners mild. Well known to me in Mercia then, how low on earth God's glory fell on every side: chaced from the land, his servants fled, their wisdom scorned; much grief to him whose bosom glow'd with fervent love of great Creation's Lord! Neglected then the God of wonders, victor of victors, monarch of heaven, his laws by man transgressed! Then too was driv'n Oslac beloved an exile far from his native land over the rolling waves, over the ganet-bath, over the water-throng, the abode of the whale, fair-hair'd hero, wise and eloquent, of home bereft! Then too was seen, high in the heavens, the star on his station, that far and wide wise men call lovers of truth and heav'nly lore "cometa" by name. Widely was spread God's vengeance then throughout the land, and famine scour'd the hills. May heaven's guardian, the glory of angels, avert these ills, and give us bliss again; that bliss to all abundance yields from earth's choice fruits, throughout this happy isle.45
Note 45. The following passage from Cotton Tiberius B iv., relating to the accession of Edward the Martyr [aged 13], should be added here: "In his days, On account of his youth, the opponents of God Broke through God's laws; Alfhere alderman, And others many; And marr'd monastic rules; Minsters they razed, And monks drove away, And put God's laws to flight-Laws that King Edgar [aged 32] Commanded the holy Saint Ethelwold [aged 71] bishop Firmly to settle. Widows they stript oft and at random. Many breaches of right. And many bad laws have arisen since; And after-times prove only worse. Then too was Oslac the mighty earl hunted from England's shores.
On 28th June 975 Bishop Cyneweard died.