Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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In 1515 Bishop Thomas Watson was born.
On 18th November 1553 Bishop Thomas Watson [aged 38] was elected Dean of Durham.
On 15th April 1556 Bishop Thomas Watson [aged 41] was elected Bishop of Lincoln.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th April 1556. The xv day of Aprell was electyd at Grenwyche bysshope of Wynchastur master doctur Whyt [aged 46], byshope of Lynckolne; and doctur Westun [aged 41], dene of Westmynster, to be bysshope of Lynckolne; and the dene of Durram to be bysshope of Karlelle.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 26th January 1557. [The xxvj day of January went to Cambridge, Watson [aged 42] bishop elect of Lincoln, Scot bishop of Chester, and Christopherson bishop elect of Chichester,] comyssyoners to the [lord cardinal, to the] chyrche of sant Mares [Map], and thay toke up on Martin [Bucer] that was bered ther, and Paulus Phagius [was] taken up at Sant Myghelle cherche that was [buried there,] and after brentt [burned] boyth.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17th March 1557. The xvij day of Marche cam rydyng from kyng Phelype [aged 29] from be-yond the see unto the court at Grenwyche [Map], to owre quen [aged 41], with letters in post, my lord Robart Dudley [aged 24], and after master Kemp of the preve chambur, that the kyng wold com to Cales [Map] the xvij day of Marche; and the sam day dyd pryche a-for the quen the nuwe bysshope of Lynckolne doctur Watsun [aged 42].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd April 1557. The iij day of Aprell dyd pryche doctur Wattsun [aged 42] bysshope of Lynckolne at Allallows the Mor in ... at after-non, wher was grett audyens of pepull.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd April 1557. The xxij of Aprell dyd pryche at sant Mare speytyll [doctor] Watsun [aged 42] nuw-choyssen bysshope of Lynckolne a godly sermon.
On 15th August 1557 Bishop Thomas Watson [aged 42] was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln by Archbishop Nicholas Heath [aged 56].
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th February 1558. The xx day of Feybruary dyd pryche [at Paul's] crosse [Map] docthur Watsun [aged 43] bysshope of Lyncoln, and mad a godly sermon, for ther wer [present ten] bysshopes, be-syd my lord mare and the althermen and juges, and men of the law, and gret [audience] ther was.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd April 1559. The iij day of Aprell the bysshopes and the nuw prychers mett at the abbay a-for my lord keper of the brod seylle, and dyvers of the consell, and ther to gyff a answer of the matter; the sam nyght, my lord bysshope of Wynchester [aged 49] and my lord of Lynkolne [aged 44] was send to the towre of London [Map] by the gard by water, to the Old Swane, and to Belynsgatt after.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 26th June 1559. The sam day was deprevyd of ther bysshoprykes the bysshope of Wynchestur [aged 49] and the bysshope of Lynckolne [aged 44] at master Hawse the kyng('s) shreyff in Mynsyon lane, and the bysshope of Wynchester to the Towre [Map] agayne, and the bysshope of Lynckolne delevered a-way.
Note. P. 201. Bishops deprived. Mr. Bruce has given a list of the deprived bishops, founded upon documents in Rymer's Fœdera, in Hayward's Annals of Q. Eliz. p. 27.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th May 1560. The xx day of May was send to the Towre [Map] master Fecknam [aged 45], docthur Wattsun [aged 45] latt byshope of Lynkolne, and docthur Colle [aged 60] latt dene of Powlles, and docthur Chadsay; and at nyght abowtt viij of the cloke was send to the Flett [Map] docthur Score [aged 50], and master Fecknam the last abbot of Westmynster, to Towre [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th May 1560. The xxix day of May toke ther gorney [journey] into Skotteland master Syssell [aged 39] secretore and master docthur Wattun [aged 45] my (unfinished).
On 27th September 1584 or 15th October 1584 Bishop Thomas Watson [aged 69] died at Wisbech Castle [Map] having been confined for the previous twenty-five years.