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.
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Paternal Family Tree: Cholmondeley
Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley and Ann Dorman were married.
After 1475 [his father] Richard Cholmondeley and Eleanor Dutton were married.
before 1513 [his father] Richard Cholmondeley (age 37) and [his step-mother] Elizabeth Brereton (age 7) were married. The difference in their ages was 30 years.
In 1513 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley was born to [his father] Richard Cholmondeley (age 38).
In 1518 [his father] Richard Cholmondeley (age 43) died.
In 1542 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 29) was knighted by Henry VIII (age 50).
In 1552 [his son] Hugh "The Younger" Cholmondeley was born to Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 39) and Ann Dorman. He married 1575 Mary Holford and had issue.
In 1569 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 56) was appointed Deputy Lieutenant Cheshire.
After 1st July 1573 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 60) and Mary Griffith were married.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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In 1575 [his son] Hugh "The Younger" Cholmondeley (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Holford (age 12) were married.
In 1579 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 66) was appointed Custos Rotulorum Cheshire.
In 1582 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 69) was appointed High Sheriff of Flintshire.
On 26th June 1584 [his son] Robert Cholmondeley 1st Earl Leinster was born to Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 71) and [his wife] Mary Griffith at Crouchend Highgate. He married 1610 Catherine Stanhope Countess Leinster, daughter of John Stanhope 1st Baron Stanhope and Margaret Macwilliams Baroness Stanhope.
In 1585 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 72) was appointed Deputy Lieutenant Cheshire.
In 1587 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 74) was appointed Deputy Lieutenant Cheshire.
On 6th January 1597 Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley (age 84) died. He was buried at St Oswald's Church, Malpas [Map] on 31st July 1607.
1605. St Oswald's Church, Malpas [Map]. Monument to Hugh "The Elder" Cholmondeley and his second wife [his wife] Mary Griffith. Stuart Period. She wearing a Bongrace. Chrisom Child.
In Latin, round the edge of the tomb - "Hugh Chalmondeley of Chalmondeley the elder, Knight, Vice-Warden of the Welsh Marches, six times Sheriff died in his 83rd year AD 15961, and in this earth is buried. Also his son and heir [his son] Hugh Chalmondeley, Knight attaining the age of 50 departed this life AD 1601 and lies here. Also his2 wife [his former daughter-in-law] Mary (age 42) who after the death of her husband, on account of her very dear affection for him, for love of him had this monument erected in AD 1605"
Hugo Cholmundeley de Cholmundeley. senior, miles, Walliæ de Marg' vice p'ses, sextus vicecomes, mortem obiit, ao ætatis suæ 83 a° d'ni 1596, et hac humo sepelitur; filiusq' heres ejus Hugo Cholmundeley miles, annum agens 50, diem clausit ultimum, a° domini 1601; et hic jacet, uxorque ejus do'i'a Maria, quæ post viri obitum propter charum illius in se amorem hoc erigi fecit monumentum a° do'i. 1605.
The amorials above the children appear to be Venables and Grosvenor. Hugh "The Younger" Cholmondeley daughters [his granddaughter] Frances (age 3) and [his granddaughter] Lettice (age 20) married [his grandson-in-law] Peter Venables Baron Kinderton and [his grandson-in-law] Richard Grosvenor 1st Baronet (age 19) respectively, suggesting the effigies may be Hugh "The Younger" Cholmondeley and Mary Holford.
Note 1. 1596 before the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar; adjused to 1597.
Note 2. Hugh the Younger's wife Mary Holford.
Randall Brereton and Mary Griffith were married.