Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Around 1501 Archbishop Nicholas Heath was born.
Around 1513 Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 12] educated at Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map].
Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1553. 22nd August 1553. And when he [John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 49]] came apon the scaffolde, first, he put of his gowne of crane-colored damaske, and then he leaned apon the raile towarde the est, and saide to the people, allmost in every poynt as he had saide in the chapella, saving that when he came to the confession of his belife tie saide, I trust, my lorde the bushopeb here will beare me witnes hereof." At the last he put of his jerkyn and doblet, and then saide his prayers; after which tyme the hangman reched to him a kerchef, which he dyd knit himself about his ees, and then layd him downe, and so was behedded.
Note a. "This present daye the duke of Northumberlande, sir John Gates, and master Palmere, came to executione, and suffered deathe. The duke's confessyon was in effecte but lytle, as I hard saye; hee confessed himselfe worthie to dye, and that he was a greate helper in of this religion which is false, thearfore God had punished us with the lose of kinge Henry 8, and also with the lose of king Edward 6, then with rebellione, and aftere with the swetinge sicknes, and yet we would not turne. Requiringe them all that weare presente to remember the ould learninge, thankinge God that he would vutsafe to call him nowe to be a Christyane, for this 16 yeares he had byne non. Theare weare a greate nomber turned with his words. He wished every man not to be covetous, for that was a greate parte of his distruction. He was asked further yf he had any thinge moare to saye, and he said nothinge but that he was worthie to dye, and so was moe than he, but he cam to dye, and not to accuse any mane. And thus bouldly he spak, tyll he layd his head on the block." (Letter of William Dalby, as before cited.) Another account of the duke of Northumberland's confession, from the MS. Harl. 284, is printed in Bayley's History of the Tower of London, Appx. p. xlviii.; and by Tytler, vol. ii. p. 230, who refers to others in MS. Cotton, Titus, B II. in MS. Reg. 12 A 26 (in Latin), and an abstract in MS. Harl. 2194.
Note b. Nicholas Heath [aged 52], bishop of Worcester.
In 1555 Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 54] was appointed Archbishop of York.
In 1555 Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 54] was appointed Lord Chancellor.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 1st December 1555. The furst day of December was reseyvyd with pressessyon my lord cardenall Pole [aged 55] into Westmynster abbay [Map]; and ther mett hym x[viij bishops,] and the bysshope of Yorke [aged 54] dyd menyster with ys myter; [and they] whent a pressessyon a-bowt the chyrche and the cloyster.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 2nd June 1556. The ij day of June was bered at sant Magnus [Map] at London bryge ser Recherd Morgayn knyght, a juge and on of the preve consell unto the nobull quen Mare, with a harold of armes bayryng ys cott armur, and with a standard and a penon of armes and elmett, sword, and targatt; and iiij dosen of skochyons, and ij whytt branchys and xij torchys and iiij gret tapurs, and xxiiij pore men in mantyll ffrysse gownes, and mony in blake; and master chansseler [aged 55] of London dyd pryche.
Note. P. 106. Funeral of sir Richard Morgan, chief justice of the common pleas. The following anecdote is recorded with regard to the death of this person, after describing the execution of lady Jane Grey: "Judge Morgan, that gave the sentence against hir, shortly after fell mad, and in hys raving cryed continuallye to have the ladie Jane taken away from him, and so ended his life." Holinshed, first edit. 1577, p. 1733; and Foxe, vol. iii. p. 37.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th November 1556. The xxix day of November was my lord abbott [aged 41] consecratyd at Westmynster abbay; and ther was grett compene, and he was mad abbott, and dyd wher a myter; and my lord cardenall [aged 56] was ther, and mony byshopes, and my lord chanseler [aged 55] dyd syng masse, and the abbott mad the sermon, and my lord tressore [aged 73] was [there].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 21st March 1557. The xxj day of Marche the Kyng [aged 29] and the Quen [aged 41] [went] thrugh the galere unto ther closett, and ther thay [heard mass]; and ther was ij swordes borne a-for them, on by lord Cobham [aged 60], and the thodur (by) my lord admerall [aged 47]; [and from] ther closett bake to dener, boyth the Kyng and the Quen together, and ther my lord chanseler [aged 56] was ther and dyvers [other lords.]
Henry Machyn's Diary. 2nd July 1557. The ij day of July the duke of Norfoke('s) [aged 21] sun was crystened at Whytt-hall at after-non, and the kyng [aged 30] and my lord chanseler [aged 56] was the godfathers, and my old lade the duches of North-foke [aged 60]1 was the god-mother, and ther wher iiijxx storchys bornyng.
Note. P. 141. Christening of the duke of Norfolk's son. Philip earl of Surrey, as he was called in his infancy, and afterwards the distinguished earl of Arundel of that name, was "borne at Arundell place in London 28. of July [June] 1557." (MS. Harl. 897, f. 79.) Stowe also has recorded his christening "in the queenes chapell at Westminster, in a font of gold." The king and lord chancellor stood godfathers "in proper person."
Note 1. Assumed to be the dowager duchess of Norfolk since referred to as 'old lade' rather than the current Duchess of Norfolk Elizabeth Leybourne Duchess Norfolk [aged 21].
On 15th August 1557 Bishop Thomas Watson [aged 42] was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln by Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 56].
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 16th March 1558. The xvj day of Marche my lord mare and the althermen wher commondyd unto Yeld-halle [Map], for thay had a commondement by the qwyen [aged 42] that thay shuld lend the quen a (blank) of H.; for ther sat my lord stresorer [aged 75], my lord preve-saylle [aged 52], and the bysshope of Elly [aged 52] as commyssyonars, and my lord chanseler [aged 57], with odur of the conselle.... with ij whyt branchys and xij torchys .... great tapurs, and after a grett dener within the ....
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd March 1558. The xxij day of Marche my lord mayre and the althermen whent unto Yeld-Halle [Map], and ther the quen('s) consell cam theder, furst my lord chanseler [aged 57], my lord treysorer [aged 75], my lord of preve-selle [aged 52], the bysshope of Ele [aged 52], and ser John Baker, secretore Peter, and mony more, and after whent to my lord mare to dener.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 14th December 1558. The xiiij day of Desember [was] the quen('s) [deceased] masse; and [all the lords] and lades, knyghtes and gentyll women, dyd offer. [And there was] a man of armes and horse offered; and her cotarmur, and sword, and targett, and baner of armes, and iij [standards]; and all the haroldes abowt her; and ther my lord bysshope of Wynchester [aged 48] mad the sermon; and ther was offered cloth of gold and welvet, holle pesses, and odur thynges. [After the] masse all done, her grace was cared up [to the chapel [Map]] the kyng Henry the vij byldyd, with bysshopes [mitred;] and all the offesers whent to the grayffe [grave], and after [they] brake ther stayffes, and cast them in-to the grayffe; in the mayn tyme the pepull pluckt [down] the cloth, evere man a pesse that cold caycth [catch] [it,] rond a-bowt the cherche, and the armes. And after[wards,] my lord bysshope of Yorke [aged 57], after her grace was [buried,] he declaryd an colasyon [collation], and as sone as he had made an end, all the trumpetes bluw a blast, and so the cheyff morners and the lords and knyghtes, and the bysshopes, with [the] abbott [aged 43], whent in-to the abbay to dener, and all the offesers of the quen('s) cott [court].
On 15th January 1559 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 25] was crowned I Queen of England by Bishop Owen Oglethorpe [aged 52] at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk [aged 19] carried the train. Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 58] censed. Edward Dymoke [aged 51] attended as the Queen's Champion. Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk [aged 22], Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 59], Henry Fitzalan 12th or 19th Earl of Arundel [aged 46], Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter [aged 16] and William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 58] attended.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 5th July 1559. The v day of July was deposyd of ther byshopeprykes the archebyshope of Yorke doctur Heth [aged 58], and the bysshope of Ely docthur Thurlbe [aged 53], at my lord treysorer('s) [aged 76] plasse at Frers Augustyne.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 10th June 1560. The sam day was had to the Towre [Map] the (arch-)byshope of (York) docthur Heth [aged 59], latt chanseler of Engeland by quen Mare('s) days, and part by quen Elesabeth('s) days.
Henry Machyn's Diary. February 1561. [The day of February was excommunicated Hethe [aged 60],] latt chanseler of England and [arch] byshope of Yorke, he lyung in the Towre [Map].
On 1st January 1562 the New Years Gift Giving was held. Those who gave gifts provide an interesting who's who of the Elizabethan Court soon after Elizabeth I's Coronation. Queen Elizabeth [aged 28] was present since a number are described as "With the Qene her Majestie."
For 'dimy' read 'demi' ie half-sovereigns.
Neweeyeur's Gyftes gevon to the Quene her Majestie by those Parsons whose Names hereafter ensue, the first of January, the Yere above wrytten.
By the Lady Margaret Strainge [aged 22], a little round mounte of golde to conteyne a pomaunder in it. With the Qene her Majestie. Note. Lady Margaret Strange married Henry Stanley Lord Strange [aged 30] on 07 Feb 1555. In 1561 he had not succeeded to Earldom of Derby and was known by the courtesy title Lord Strange. She is listed first since she was one of the few remaining direct descendants of Henry VII, being a great-granddaughter by his daughter Mary Tudor. Margaret Clifford was first in line to succeed in 1568 but died in 1596 before Elizabeth I.
Dukes, Marquises and Earls.
By the Duke of Norfolke [aged 25], in a purse of purple silke and golde knit, in sundry coynes of golde £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Winchester [aged 79], High Threasourer of Englande, in a purse of crymsen satten, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Northampton [aged 50], in a purse of crymsen silke and gold knit, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Arundell [aged 49], Lord Steward, in a paper, in angels, £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Shrewesburye [aged 34], in a red silke purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Darbye [aged 52], in a purse of crymsen satten, embraudered with golde, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Pembroke [aged 61], in a purse of black silk and silver knit, in new angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Bedforde [aged 35], in a purse of black silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Rutlande [aged 35], in a purse of red silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraigns and angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Huntingdon, in a red silk purse, in angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Westmerlande [aged 37], in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Oxforde [aged 46], in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Northumberlande [aged 34], in a purse of black silke and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d. With the Quene her Highness.
By the Earle of Warwike [aged 32], a smocke wrought with black silk, a peire of slevis, and a partelett wrought with gold, silver, and black silke. Delivered to the Baroness Cobham [aged 23].
By the Viscounte Mountague [aged 33], in a purse of cloth of golde, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Bishops. The list of Bishops ends with "With her said Majestie"; unclear whether this refers to all the Bishops listed.
By the Archbusshop of Caunterbury [aged 57], in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £40 0s 0d.
By the Archbusshop of York [aged 61], in soveraigns £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Duresme [aged 42], in a purse of crymson silk and gold knytt, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Ely [aged 69], in a red vellat purse, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Wynchester [aged 52], in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt and set with pearles, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of London [aged 43], in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Salisbury [aged 39], in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Worcester [aged 43], in a black vellat purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lyncoln [aged 42], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chychester [aged 64], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Norwich [aged 50], in a blew silk purse £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Hereforde [aged 52], in a green silk purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lychfield and Coventry [aged 48], in a red satten purse, in angells £13 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Rochester [aged 48], in a red purse, in gold £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Saint Davies [aged 55], in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Bathe, in a purse of red silk, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Exetour, in a blew silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Peterborowe, in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chester, in a red purse, in angells and soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Duchesses and Countesses.
By the Duchess of Norfolke [aged 22], in a prse of crymsen silk and gold knyt, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Duchess of Somerset [aged 65], in a purse of silver and black silk, in royalls and ducketts £14 0s 0d. Probably the Dowager Duchess of Somerset since her husband Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset had been executed in 1552, and their children disinherited as a result.
By the Countess of Surrey, in a purse of tawny silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Dowager since her husband Henry Howard 1516-1547, by courtesy Earl Surrey, had been executed in 1547.
By the Countess of Pembroke [aged 38], in a cherry bag of crymsen satten, in new angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Bedford [aged 36], in a purse of crymsen silk and silver knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Darby [aged 51], in a purse of crymson sattin embrodred with gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Oxford [aged 36], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury, Dowager [aged 62], in a purse of black silk knytt, in dimy soveraignes £12 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury [aged 37], in a red silk purse knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon, Dowager [aged 51], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon [aged 24], in a red purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Northumberland [aged 24], in a purse of black silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Rutland [aged 29], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
Viscountesses.
By the Vicountess Hereford, Dowager [aged 42], six hankercheffes edged with gold delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Vicountess Mountague [aged 23], in a purse of cloth of gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Lordes.
By the Lorde Keeper of the Great Seale, Bacon [aged 51], in a purse of silver knytt, in angells £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde William Howard, Lord Chamberlen [aged 52], in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Pagett [aged 56], in a greene purse in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Clynton, Lord Admyrall [aged 50], in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Riche [aged 65], in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde North [aged 66], in a purse of purple silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Lumley [aged 29], in a paper, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Hastings of Loughboro [aged 41], in a red silk purse, in French crowns £13 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Stafford [aged 60], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Windsor [aged 30], in a purse of crymsn silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
by Lorde John Graye [aged 38], a haunce pott of allabaster garnished with silver gilt. Delivered in charge to John Asteley, Esq Master and Threasourer of her Highnes Jewels and Plate. Lord John Grey assumed to be a courtesy title his father being Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset.
By the Lorde Barkeley [aged 27], in a red purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Mountejoye [aged 29], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Abergavennye [aged 36], in a purse of red silke, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Scrowpe [aged 28], in a purse of blak silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Caree of Hundesdon [aged 35], in a purse of crymsen silk, in double ducketts £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Strainge, in a purse of red silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Lord Strange being the courtesy title for the Earldom of Derby. He wouldn't inherit until 1572.
By the Lorde Darcey of Chichey [aged 30], in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes, £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shefild [aged 24], in a red silk purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shandowes [aged 40], in a blak silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Ladyes.
By the Baroness Howarde [aged 47], in a purse of crymsen silk and knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Clinton [aged 35], a peire of sleevis of gold, pulled out with lawne. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Baroness Genevillet, in gold £6 13s 4d.
By the Lady Barkeley [aged 24], Lord Barkeley's wife, in gold £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Mountejoye [aged 30], in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Abergavenny, in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Caree of Hundesdon [aged 33], in a blak purse knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Taylboyes, Sir Peter Carewe's [aged 48] wyfe, in a purse of blak silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Cobham, a partelett and a peire of sleeves of sypers wrought with silver and blak silke. Re-delivered to herself.
By the Lady Dakers [aged 21], a warming ball of gold, per oz. 3 oz. dim. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shefilde [aged 20], a paire of sleeves wrought with fringe of blak silk and lozeng of gold. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Margaret Baroness Scrope [aged 18], in a purse of blak silk and silver, in angells £7 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shandowes [aged 38], a peire of sleeves and a partlett of gold and silver knytt, cawle fashion. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Lady Knowlles [aged 38], a feyne carpett of needleworke, theverende frienged and buttoned with gold and silk. Delivered to John Torneworth, Groom of the Privy Chamber.
By the Lady Butler, in a little white purse, in French crowns £6 0s 0d. With her said Majestie. Unclear as to who Lady Butler refers to.
By the Lady Raclyef, a peire of sleeves of cameryk, all over sett with purle, and two sweet bags. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
In 1578 Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 77] died.
Strype Ecclesiastical Memorials Volume 1 Part 1 Chapter XXXVI. This year, [1536,] in the month of May, Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded: a great friend and patroness of the reformed religion.
She was very nobly charitable, and expended largely in all manner of acts of liberality, according to her high quality. And among the rest of her ways of shewing this Christian virtue, she being a favourer of learning, together with her father, the Lord Wiltshire, and the Lord Rochford her brother, maintained divers ingenious men at the Universities. Among the rest were these men of note; Dr. Hethe, afterward Archbishop of York, and Lord Chancellor; Dr. Thirlby, afterward Bishop of Ely; and Mr. Paget, afterward Lord Paget, and Secretary of State: all which in her time were favourers of the Gospel, though afterwards they relapsed. Of Paget one hath observed, that he was a most earnest Protestant, and being in Cambridge, gave unto one Reynold West, Luther's book, and other books of the Germans, as Franciscus Lamhertus de Sectis: and that at that time he read Melancthon's Rhetoric openly in Trinity hall; and was a maintainer of Dr. Barnes, and all the Protestants then in Cambridge, and helped many religious persons out of their cowles.