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.
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In 1617 Katherine Wright Lady Harington was born to [her father] Edmund Wright.
In 1629 [her father] Edmund Wright was elected Sheriff of London.
On 23rd June 1629 [her father] Edmund Wright was elected Alderman of Cordwainer Ward.
In 1630 [her father] Edmund Wright was elected Sheriff of London.
In or before 1635 James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 27) and Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 17) were married.
Around 1635 [her son] Edmund Harington 4th Baronet was born to [her husband] James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 27) and Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 18). He married (1) August 1679 Sarah Alston Lady Harington (2) 6th September 1697 Abigail Vennour Lady Harington.
After 1636 [her son] Henry Harington was born to [her husband] James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 28) and Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 19).
On or before 10th October 1639 [her son] Edward Harington 5th Baronet was born to [her husband] James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 31) and Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 22). He was baptised on 10th October 1639 at St Peter le Poer Church, Broad Street.
In July 1643 [her father] Edmund Wright died. His daughter inherited Swakeleys House.
In 1652 [her father-in-law] Edward Harington 2nd Baronet died. His son [her husband] James (age 44) succeeded 3rd Baronet Harington of Ridlington in Rutlandshire. Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 35) by marriage Lady Harington of Ridlington in Rutlandshire.
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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1654. William Faithorne "The Elder" (age 38). Portrait of Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 37).
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 7th September 1665. Thence to Brainford, reading "The Villaine", a pretty good play, all the way. There a coach of Mr. Povy's (age 51) stood ready for me, and he at his house ready to come in, and so we together merrily to Swakely, Sir R. Viner's (age 34). A very pleasant place, bought by him of [her husband] Sir James Harrington's (age 57) lady (age 48). He took us up and down with great respect, and showed us all his house and grounds; and it is a place not very moderne in the garden nor house, but the most uniforme in all that ever I saw; and some things to excess. Pretty to see over the screene of the hall (put up by Sir Mr. Harrington, a Long Parliamentman) the King's head, and my Lord of Essex (age 33) on one side, and Fairfax on the other; and upon the other side of the screene, the parson of the parish, and the lord of the manor and his sisters. The window-cases, door-cases, and chimnys of all the house are marble. He showed me a black boy that he had, that died of a consumption, and being dead, he caused him to be dried in an oven, and lies there entire in a box.
In 1675 Katherine Wright Lady Harington (age 58) died.
In 1680 [her former husband] James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 72) died in exile in Europe. His son [her son] Edmund (age 45) succeeded 4th Baronet Harington of Ridlington in Rutlandshire. [her daughter-in-law] Sarah Alston Lady Harington by marriage Lady Harington of Ridlington in Rutlandshire.