Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Paternal Family Tree: Royds
On or after 28th December 1819, the date of the licence, [his father] Reverend Edward Royds (age 29) and [his mother] Mary Molyneux (age 26) were married.
On 24th October 1825 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds was born to [his father] Reverend Edward Royds (age 35) and [his mother] Mary Molyneux (age 32).
On 25th December 1825 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds was baptised at St Oswald's Church, Brereton [Map].
On 15th June 1843 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 17) matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford University. He was awarded BA in 1847 and MA in 1850.
On 13th January 1852 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 26) and Cornelia Frances Blomfield (age 22) were married at Stevenage, Hertfordshire.
In 1855 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 29) was appointed Rector of St Mary's Church, Coddington [Map].
On 6th July 1860 [his son] Edmund Royds of Stubton Hall was born to Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 34) and [his wife] Cornelia Frances Blomfield (age 31). He was baptised on 29th July 1860 at Coddington, Cheshire [Map]. He married 21st May 1889 Rachel Louisa Fane.
On 21st May 1889 [his son] Edmund Royds of Stubton Hall (age 28) and [his daughter-in-law] Rachel Louisa Fane (age 20) were married by the groom's father Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 63) assisted by the Rev. Vere Francis Willson at St Nicholas' Church, Fulbeck.
In 1892 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 66) was appointed Rural Dean of Malpas.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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In 1894 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds (age 68) was appointed Honourary Canon of Chester Cathedral [Map].
GrandFather: James Royds of Falinge
Father: Reverend Edward Royds
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Smith of Summer Castle in Rochdale
GrandMother: Mary Smith
Reverend Francis Coulman Royds
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Molyneux of Wall Hill and Newsham House 
GrandFather: Thomas Molyneux of Newsham House in West Derby in Lancashire
Mother: Mary Molyneux
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Watson of Ormskirk in Lancashire
GrandMother: Ann Watson