Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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In 1363 or 1364 Archbishop Henry Chichele was born at Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire.
On 17th June 1408 Archbishop Henry Chichele [aged 45] was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury.
On 24th February 1421 Catherine of Valois [aged 19] was crowned Queen Consort England at Westminster Abbey [Map] by Archbishop Henry Chichele [aged 58]. Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby [aged 36] was appointed Chief Butler of England. James I [aged 26] attended, and was honoured by sitting immediately on the queen's left at the coronation banquet.
Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. [24th February 1421] ... and forthe I wyll precede to shewe unto you some parte of the great honour that was vsed & excercysed upon the daye of the sayd quenes coronacion, whiche was after solempnyzed in seynt Peters churche of Westmynster, upon the daye of seynt Mathy the Apostle, or the xxiiii [24th] day of February. After which solempnyzacon in yt churche endyd, she was conveyed into the great halle of Westmynster, & there sette to dyner; upon whose right hande satte, at the ende of the same table, the archebysshop of Caunterbury [aged 58], and Henry [aged 46], surnamed the rych cardynall of Winchester; and upon the lefte hande of ye quene sat the kynge of Scottes [aged 26] in his astate, ye whiche was servyd with coveryd messe lyke unto the forenamed bysshops, but after theym. And upon the same hande & syde, nere to the borde ende, sat the duchesse of Yorke [aged 54]1, and the coutesse of Huntyngdon [aged 58]. The erle of the Marche [aged 29] holdynga ceptre in his hande, knelyd upon the right syde. The erle marshal in lyke maner knelyd upon the left hande of ye quene. The conntesse of Kent [aged 41]2 sat under the table at the ryght foot, and the coutesse marshall at the left foot. The duke of Glouceter, sir Humfrey [aged 30], was that daye overloker, and stode before the quene bare hedyd. Sir Richarde Neuyll was that daye carver to the quene. The erlys brother of Suffolk cupberer, sir lohn Stewarde sewar. The lord Clyfford paterer, instede of ye erle of Warwik. The lord Wyllughby boteler, in stede of ye erle of Arudell. The lorde Gray Ruthyn [aged 59], or Ryffyn, naperer. The lord of Awdeley amner, in stede of the erle of Cambrydge. The erle of Worceter [aged 25] was that day erle marshal, in absence of the erle marshall, the whiche rode aboute the halle upon a great courser, wt a multytude of typped stauys aboute hym, to kepe the rome in the halle.
Note 1. her husband Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle had been killed six years before at the Battle of Agincourt so correctly Dowager Duchess of York.
Note 2. her husband Edmund Holland 4th Earl Kent had been killed thirteen years before at the Battle of Île de Bréhat so correctly Dowager Countess of Kent.
On 7th June 1422 Bishop John Langdon was consecrated Bishop of Rochester by Archbishop Henry Chichele [aged 59].
An English Chronicle. [22nd July 1441]. In the mene tyme, the forsaid maister Roger was examned before the kyngis counsel; where he confessid and saide that he wroughte the said nygromancie atte stiryng of the forsaid dame Alienore [aged 41], to knowe what sholde falle of hir and to what astat she sholde come. Wherfore she was citid to appere befor certayn bisshoppis of the kyngis; that is to say, befor maister Harri Chicheli [aged 78], archebisshop of Cauntirbury, maister Harry Beaufort [aged 66] bisshoppe of Wynchestre and cardinalle, maister Johan Kemp [aged 61] archebisshoppe of York and cardinalle, maister William Ayscoughe [aged 46] bisshoppe of Salisbury, and othir, on the Monday the xxij day off Juylle next folowyng, in saint Stepheneȝ chapelle of Westmynstre, forto ansuere to certayn articleȝ of nygromancie, of wicchecraft or sorcery, of heresy and of tresoun. Atte whiche day she apperid; and the forsaid Roger was brouȝt forth forto witnesse ayens hir, and saide that she was cause and first stirid himme to laboure in the said nygromancie; and thanne be commaundement of the said bisshoppis she was committid to the warde of sir Johan Stiward knyghte, and of Johan Stanley squier, and othir of the kyngis hous, forto be lad to the castelle of Ledis, there to be safli kept vnto iij wikis aftir Mighelmasse next thanne comyng. But the said dame Alienore was lothe to go out of the sayntwary and fayned her seek, and wolde haue stole away priveli be watir, but she was let of her purpos and lad forth to the castel beforsaid.
On 12th April 1443 Archbishop Henry Chichele [aged 80] died. He was buried at Canterbury Cathedral [Map].