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.
In July 1637 Bishop Thomas Ken was born.
In 1679 Bishop Thomas Ken [aged 41] was appointed Chaplain to Mary Stewart II Queen England Scotland and Ireland [aged 16].
After April 1684 Bishop Thomas Ken [aged 46] was appointed Bishop of Bath and Wells.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th February 1685. Prayers were solemnly made in all the Churches, especialy in both ye Court Chapells, where the Chaplaines reliev'd one another every halfe quarter of an houre from the time he began to be in danger till he expir'd, according to the forme prescrib'd in the Church Offices. Those who assisted his Majesty's [aged 54] devotions were, the Abp. of Canterbury [aged 68], the Bishops of London [aged 53], Durham [aged 52], and Ely [aged 47], but more especialy Dr. Ken, the Bp. of Bath and Wells [aged 47] receiving the Holy Sacrament, but his Ma* told them he would consider of it, which he did so long 'till it was too late. Others whisper'd that the Bishops and Lords, except the Earles of Bath [aged 56] and Feversham [aged 44], being order'd to withdraw the night before, Hurlston, the 'Priest, had presumed to administer the Popish Offices. He gave his breeches and keys to ye Duke [aged 51], who was almost continually kneeling by his bed-side, and in teares. He also recommended to him the care of his natural children, all except the Duke of Monmouth [aged 35], now in Holland, and in his displeasure. He intreated the Queene [aged 46] to pardon him (not without cause); who a little before had sent a Bishop to excuse her not more frequently visiting him, in reguard of her excessive griefe, and withall, that his Ma* would forgive it if at any time she had offended him. He spake to ye Duke to be kind to the Dutchesse of Cleaveland [aged 44], and especialy Portsmouth [aged 35], and that Nelly [aged 35] might not starve.
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th July 1685. Monmouth [aged 36] was this day brought to London and examin'd before the King [aged 51], to whom he made greate submission, acknowledg'd his seduction by Ferguson the Scot [aged 48], whom he nam'd ye bloudy villain. He was sent to ye Tower [Map], had an interview with his late Dutchesse [aged 34], whom he receiv'd coldly, having liv'd dishonestly with ye Lady Henrietta Wentworth [aged 24] for two yeares. He obstinately asserted his conversation with that debauch'd woman to be no in, whereupon, seeing he could not be persuaded to his last breath, the divines who were sent to assist him thought not fit to administer the Holy Communion to him. For ye rest of his faults he profess'd greate sorrow, and so died without any apparent feare; he would not make use of a cap or other circumstance, but lying downe, bid the fellow do his office better than to the late Lord Russell, and gave him gold; but the wretch made five chopps before he had his head off; wch so incens'd the people, that had he not been guarded and got away, they would have torn him to pieces. The Duke made no speech on the scaffold (wch was on Tower Hill [Map]) but gave a paper containing not above 5 or 6 lines, for the King, in which he disclaims all title to ye Crown, acknowledges that the late King, his father, had indeede told him he was but his base sonn, and so desir'd his Ma* to be kind to his wife and children. This relation I had from Dr. Tenison (Rector of St. Martin's) [aged 48], who, with the Bishops of Ely [aged 47] and Bath and Wells [aged 48], were sent to him by his Ma*, and were at the execution.
John Evelyn's Diary. 16th September 1685. The next morning setting out early, we ariv'd soon enough at Winchester [Map] to waite on the King [aged 51], who was lodg'd at the Dean's (Dr. Meggot). I found very few with him besides my Lords Feversham [aged 44], Arran [Note. Not clear which Earl of Arran], Newport [aged 65], and the Bishop of Bath and Wells [aged 48]. His Ma* was discoursing with the Bishops concerning miracles, and what strange things the Saludadors would do in Spaine, as by creeping into heated ovens without hurt, and that they had a black crosse in the roofe of their mouthes, but yet were commonly notorious and profane wretches; upon which his Majesty further said, that he was so extreamly difficult of miracles, for feare of being impos'd upon, that if he should chance to see one himselfe, without some other witness, he should apprehend it a delusion of his senses. Then they spake of ye boy who was pretended to have a wanting leg restor'd him, so confidently asserted by Fr. de Sta Clara and others. To all which the Bishop added a greate miracle happening In Winchester to his certaine knowledge, of a poor miserably sick and decrepit child (as I remember long kept unbaptiz'd), who immediately on his baptism recover'd; as also of ye salutary effect of K. Charles his Ma*s father's blood, in healing one that was blind.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th March 1686. The Bp. of Bath and Wells [aged 48] preach'd on 6 John 17, a most excellent and pathetic discourse: after he had recommended the duty of fasting and other penitential duties, he exhorted to constancy in the Protestant religion, detestation of the unheard-of cruelties of the French, and stirring up to a liberal contribution. This Sermon was the more acceptable, as it was unexpected from a Bishop who had undergon the censure of being inclin'd to Popery, the contrary whereof no man could shew more. This indeede did all our Bishops, to the disabusing and reproch of all their delators; for none were more zealous against Popery than they were.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th March 1687. Most of the great officers, both in the Court and country, Lords and others, were dismissed, as they would not promise his Majesty their consent to the repeal of the test and penal statutes against Popish Recusants. To this end, most of the Parliament men were spoken to in his Majesty's closet, and such as refused, if in any place of office or trust, civil or military, were put out of their employments. This was a time of great trial; but hardly one of them assented, which put the Popish interest much backward. The English clergy everywhere preached boldly against their superstition and errors, and were wonderfully followed by the people. Not one considerable proselyte was made in all this time. The party were exceedingly put to the worst by the preaching and writing of the Protestants in many excellent treatises, evincing the doctrine and discipline of the reformed religion, to the manifest disadvantage of their adversaries. To this did not a little contribute the sermon preached at Whitehall before the Princess of Denmark [aged 22] and a great crowd of people, and at least thirty of the greatest nobility, by Dr. Ken, Bishop of Bath and Wells [aged 49], on John viii. 46 (the Gospel of the day), describing through his whole discourse the blasphemies, perfidy, wresting of Scripture, preference of tradition before it, spirit of persecution, superstition, legends, and fables of the Scribes and Pharisees, so that all the auditory understood his meaning of a parallel between them and the Romish priests, and their new Trent religion. He exhorted his audience to adhere to the written Word, and to persevere in the Faith taught in the Church of England, whose doctrine for Catholic and soundness he preferred to all the communities and churches of Christians in the world; concluding with a kind of prophecy, that whatever it suffered, it should after a short trial emerge to the confusion of her adversaries and the glory of God.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th March 1687. The Bishop of Bath and Wells [aged 49] (Dr. Ken) preached at St. Martin's [Map] to a crowd of people not to be expressed, nor the wonderful eloquence of this admirable preacher; the text was Matt. xxvi. 36 to verse 40, describing the bitterness of our Blessed Savior's agony, the ardor of his love, the infinite obligations we have to imitate his patience and resignation; the means by watching against temptations, and over ourselves with fervent prayer to attain it, and the exceeding reward in the end. Upon all which he made most pathetical discourses. The Communion followed, at which I was participant. I afterward dined at Dr. Tenison's [aged 50] with the Bishop and that young, most learned, pious, and excellent preacher, Mr. Wake [aged 30]. In the afternoon, I went to hear Mr. Wake at the newly built church of St. Anne, on Mark viii. 34, upon the subject of taking up the cross, and strenuously behaving ourselves in time of persecution, as this now threatened to be.
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st April 1688. In the morning, the first sermon was by Dr. Stillingfleet [aged 52], Dean of St. Paul's (at Whitehall), on Luke x. 41, 42. The Holy Communion followed, but was so interrupted by the rude breaking in of multitudes zealous to hear the second sermon, to be preached by the Bishop of Bath and Wells [aged 50], that the latter part of that holy office could hardly be heard, or the sacred elements be distributed without great trouble. The Princess being come, he preached on Mich. vii. 8, 9, 10, describing the calamity of the Reformed Church of Judah under the Babylonian persecution, for her sins, and God's delivery of her on her repentance; that as Judah emerged, so should the now Reformed Church, whenever insulted and persecuted. He preached with his accustomed action, zeal, and energy, so that people flocked from all quarters to hear him.
On 13th May 1688 the Archbishop of Canterbury and seven bishops were imprisoned for seditious libel: Archbishop William Sancroft [aged 71], Bishop Henry Compton [aged 56], Bishop Francis Turner [aged 50], Bishop Thomas White [aged 60], Bishop Thomas Ken [aged 50], Bishop John Lake [aged 64], Bishop Jonathan Trelawny 3rd Baronet [aged 38] and Bishop William Lloyd [aged 51]. Their crime was to not read the Declaration of Indulgence as required by King James II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 54].
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th June 1688. This day, the Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 71], with the Bishops of Ely [aged 50], Chichester [aged 64], St. Asaph [aged 60], Bristol [aged 38], Peterborough [aged 60], and Bath and Wells [aged 50], were sent from the Privy Council prisoners to the Tower [Map], for refusing to give bail for their appearance, on their not reading the Declaration for liberty of conscience; they refused to give bail, as it would have prejudiced their peerage. The concern of the people for them was wonderful, infinite crowds on their knees begging their blessing, and praying for them, as they passed out of the barge along the Tower wharf.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
John Evelyn's Diary. 13th June 1688. I went to the Tower [Map] to see the Bishops, visited the Archbishop [aged 71] and the Bishops of Ely [aged 50], St. Asaph [aged 60], and Bath and Wells [aged 50].
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th May 1688. King [aged 54] enjoining the ministers to read his Declaration for giving liberty of conscience (as it was styled) in all churches of England, this evening, six Bishops, Bath and Wells [aged 50], Peterborough [aged 60], Ely [aged 50], Chichester [aged 64], St. Asaph [aged 60], and Bristol [aged 38], in the name of all the rest of the Bishops, came to his Majesty to petition him, that he would not impose the reading of it to the several congregations within their dioceses; not that they were averse to the publishing it for want of due tenderness toward dissenters, in relation to whom they should be willing to come to such a temper as should be thought fit, when that matter might be considered and settled in Parliament and Convocation; but that, the Declaration being founded on such a dispensing power as might at pleasure set aside all laws ecclesiastical and civil, it appeared to them illegal, as it had done to the Parliament in 1661 and 1672, and that it was a point of such consequence, that they could not so far make themselve parties to it, as the reading of it in church in time of divine service amounted to.
The King was so far incensed at this address, that he with threatening expressions commanded them to obey him in reading it at their perils, and so dismissed them.
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th January 1689. I visited the Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 71], where I found the Bishops of St. Asaph [aged 61], Ely [aged 51], Bath and Wells [aged 51], Peterborough [aged 61], and Chichester [aged 65], the Earls of Aylesbury [aged 33] and Clarendon, Sir George Mackenzie [aged 53], Lord-Advocate of Scotland, and then came in a Scotch Archbishop, etc. After prayers and dinner, divers serious matters were discoursed, concerning the present state of the Public, and sorry I was to find there was as yet no accord in the judgments of those of the Lords and Commons who were to convene; some would have the Princess [aged 26] made Queen without any more dispute, others were for a Regency; there was a Tory party (then so called), who were for inviting his Majesty [aged 55] again upon conditions; and there were Republicans who would make the Prince of Orange [aged 38] like a Stadtholder. The Romanists were busy among these several parties to bring them into confusion: most for ambition or other interest, few for conscience and moderate resolutions. I found nothing of all this in this assembly of Bishops, who were pleased to admit me into their discourses; they were all for a Regency, thereby to salve their oaths, and so all public matters to proceed in his Majesty's name, by that to facilitate the calling of Parliament, according to the laws in being. Such was the result of this meeting.
In 1691 Bishop Thomas Ken [aged 53] was deprived of his See by King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] and Mary Stewart II Queen England Scotland and Ireland [aged 28]. He was given lodgings at Longleat House by Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth [aged 51] with whom he was at Oxford. He resided at Longleat for some twenty years.
John Evelyn's Diary. 19th April 1691. The Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 74], and Bishops of Ely [aged 53], Bath and Wells [aged 53], Peterborough [aged 63], Gloucester [aged 69], and the rest who would not take the oaths to King William [aged 40], were now displaced; and in their rooms, Dr. Tillotson [aged 60], Dean of St. Paul's, was made Archbishop: Patrick [aged 64] removed from Chichester to Ely; Cumberland [aged 59] to Gloucester. Note. A mistake. Bishop Edward Fowler was made Bishop of Gloucester. Bishop Richard Cumberland [aged 59] was made Bishop of Peterborough.
John Evelyn's Diary. 7th May 1691. I went to visit the Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 74] [Sancroft] yet at Lambeth. I found him alone, and discoursing of the times, especially of the newly designed Bishops; he told me that by no canon or divine law they could justify the removing of the present incumbents; that Dr. Beveridge, designed Bishop of Bath and Wells, came to ask his advice; that the Archbishop told him, though he should give it, he believed he would not take it; the Doctor said he would; why then, says the Archbishop, when they come to ask, say "Nolo", and say it from the heart; there is nothing easier than to resolve yourself what is to be done in the case: the Doctor seemed to deliberate. What he will do I know not, but Bishop Ken [aged 53], who is to be put out, is exceedingly beloved in his diocese; and, if he and the rest should insist on it, and plead their interest as freeholders, it is believed there would be difficulty in their case, and it may endanger a schism and much disturbance, so as wise men think it had been better to have let them alone, than to have proceeded with this rigor to turn them out for refusing to swear against their consciences. I asked at parting, when his Grace removed; he said that he had not yet received any summons, but I found the house altogether disfurnished and his books packed up.
On 19th March 1711 Bishop Thomas Ken [aged 73] died. He was buried in Church of St John the Baptist Frome, Somerset.