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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Biography of James Harrington 1511-1592

Paternal Family Tree: Harrington

In or before 1511 [his father] John Alexander Harrington (age 13) and [his mother] Elizabeth Moton were married. They had five sons and four daughters.

Around 1511 James Harrington was born to [his father] John Alexander Harrington (age 14) and [his mother] Elizabeth Moton at Exton, Rutlandshire.

In or before 1540 James Harrington (age 28) and Lucy Sidney (age 19) were married.

In 1540 [his son] John Harington 1st Baron Harington was born to James Harrington (age 29) and [his wife] Lucy Sidney (age 20). He married 1573 Anne Keilway Baroness Harington and had issue.

In 1542 [his son] James Harrington 1st Baronet was born to James Harrington (age 31) and [his wife] Lucy Sidney (age 22). He married (1) before 1599 Frances Sapcote and had issue (2) 1601 Anne Bernard.

In 1545 [his daughter] Elizabeth Harrington was born to James Harrington (age 34) and [his wife] Lucy Sidney (age 25). She married 1557 Edward Montagu and had issue.

In 1553 James Harrington (age 42) was appointed High Sheriff of Rutlandshire.

On 25th August 1553 [his father] John Alexander Harrington (age 56) died.

Between 1554 and 1589 James Harrington (age 43) was elected Knight of the Shire Rutlandshire.

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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In 1555 Thomas Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Sussex (age 30) and [his sister-in-law] Frances Sidney Countess Sussex (age 24) were married. He the son of Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex (age 48) and Elizabeth Howard.

In 1557 [his son-in-law] Edward Montagu (age 27) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Harrington (age 12) were married.

On 17th February 1557 Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex (age 50) died. He was buried at St Lawrence Pountney Church. His son Thomas (age 32) succeeded 3rd Earl of Sussex, 3rd Viscount Fitzwalter, 12th Baron Fitzwalter. [his sister-in-law] Frances Sidney Countess Sussex (age 26) by marriage Countess of Sussex.

In 1561 Robert Brooksby sold his share of Burley-on-the-Hill House to James Harrington (age 50).

In 1565 [his daughter] Sarah Harrington was born to James Harrington (age 54) and [his wife] Lucy Sidney (age 45). She married (1) before 24th April 1586 Francis Hastings, son of George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon and Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon, and had issue (2) before 1628 Thomas Edmondes.

In 1573 [his son] John Harington 1st Baron Harington (age 33) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Keilway Baroness Harington (age 19) were married. His father James Harrington (age 62) gave him Burley-on-the-Hill House as a wedding present.

In 1573 John Durrant sold his share of Burley-on-the-Hill House to James Harrington (age 62).

Before 1579 [his son-in-law] William Leigh (age 27) and [his daughter] Frances Harrington were married.

Around 1581 [his son-in-law] Edward Dudley 5th Baron Dudley (age 13) and [his daughter] Theodosia Harrington Baroness Dudley were married.

Before 24th April 1586 [his son-in-law] Francis Hastings (age 26) and [his daughter] Sarah Harrington (age 21) were married. He the son of George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon (age 46) and Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon.

Burial of Mary Queen of Scots

On 1st August 1587 James Harrington (age 76) attended the Burial of Mary Queen of Scots.

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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On 9th March 1589 [his sister-in-law] Frances Sidney Countess Sussex (age 58) died. On 15th April 1589 she was buried in Chapel of St Paul, Westminster Abbey [Map].

Around 1591 [his wife] Lucy Sidney (age 71) died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

On 24th January 1592 James Harrington (age 81) died. He was buried in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map]. Monument to James Harrington and [his former wife] Lucy Sidney. A large standing Elizabethan Period monument with 2 kneeling figures at a prie-dieu in a double aedicule. Wrought in various marbles and enriched with low-relief carving, strapwork etc. surmounted by obelisk, and arms. Stylistically similar to the monument to Robert Keilway. Possibly sculpted by Nicholas Johnson or Nicholas Stone (age 5).

Lucy Sidney: Around 1520 she was born to William Sidney and Anne Pakenham at Penshurst, Kent [Map]. In or before 1540 James Harrington and she were married. Around 1591 Lucy Sidney died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

[his daughter] Mary Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married before 1603 Edward Wingfield of Kimbolton and had issue.

[his daughter] Mabel Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married Andrew Noel and had issue.

[his daughter] Theodosia Harrington Baroness Dudley was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married 1581 Edward Dudley 5th Baron Dudley, son of Edward Sutton 4th Baron Dudley and Katherine Brydges Baroness Dudley, and had issue.

[his daughter] Frances Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married before 1579 William Leigh, son of Thomas Leigh, and had issue.

[his son] Henry Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. He married Cecilia Agar and had issue.

[his daughter] Catherine Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married Edward Dymoke and had issue.

Royal Ancestors of James Harrington 1511-1592

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of James Harrington 1511-1592
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [1]

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [4]

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [10]

Ancestors of James Harrington 1511-1592

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harrington

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Harrington

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Culpepper

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Culpepper

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Culpepper

GrandFather: John Harrington

Father: John Alexander Harrington

James Harrington

GrandFather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire

Mother: Elizabeth Moton