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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Chester Cathedral is in Chester, Cheshire [Map], Cathedrals in England.
See: St Oswald's, Chester.
In January 1129 Ranulf le Meschin Gernon 3rd Earl Chester [aged 59] died. He was buried at Chester Cathedral [Map]. His son Ranulf [aged 30] succeeded 4th Earl Chester.
In 1541 Bishop John Bird was translated to be the first Bishop of Chester.
On 1st April 1554 the Lord Chancellor Bishop Edmund "Bloody" Bonner of London [aged 54], assisted by Bishop Stephen Gardiner [aged 71], Bishop Nicholas Ridley [aged 54] and Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall [aged 80], consecrated seven bishops at Southwark Cathedral [Map]:
Bishop George Cotes was consecrated Bishop of Chester.
Bishop Gilbert Bourne was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Bishop James Brooks [aged 41] was consecrated Bishop of Gloucester.
Bishop Maurice Griffiths [aged 47] was consecrated Bishop of Rochester.
Bishop Henry Morgan was consecrated Bishop of St David's.
Bishop John White [aged 44] was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.
Bishop Robert Parfew aka Warton was consecrated Bishop of Hereford.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 1st April 1554. [The first day of April my lord chancellor [aged 54] did consecrate six new bishops at St. Mary Overy's [Map], before the high altar; and a goodly mass was said. And when all] was done thay yede unto my lord ch[ancellor's,] for ther was as grett a dener as youe ha[ve seen.] Thes be the bysshopes names that wher consecrated, [doctor] Whyt [aged 44], warden of Wynchastur, the bysshope of Ly[ncoln]; doctur Borne, bysshope of Bathe; doctur Morgan, bishop of sant Davys; doctur Brokes [aged 41], bysshope of Gloss [ter]; doctur Cottes, bysshope of Westtchastur; bysshope of sant Asse changyd to be bysshope of Arfford; master [Griffith] [aged 47] parsun of sant Magnus bysshope of Rochastur.
In 1556 Bishop Cuthbert Scott was appointed Bishop of Chester.
In 1558 Bishop John Bird died. He was buried at Chester Cathedral [Map].
In 1619 Bishop John Bridgeman [aged 41] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
In 1662 Bishop George Hall [aged 49] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
In 1668 Bishop John Wilkins [aged 53] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th November 1668. To London, invited to the consecration of that excellent person, the Dean of Ripon, Dr. Wilkins [aged 54], now made Bishop of Chester; it was at Ely House, the Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 70], Dr. Cosin [aged 73], Bishop of Durham, the Bishops of Ely [aged 77], Salisbury, Rochester [aged 43], and others officiating. Dr. Tillotson [aged 38] preached. Then, we went to a sumptuous dinner in the hall, where were the Duke of Buckingham [aged 40], Judges, Secretaries of State, Lord-Keeper, Council, Noblemen, and innumerable other company, who were honorers of this incomparable man, universally beloved by all who knew him.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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In 1672 Bishop John Pearson [aged 58] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
John Evelyn's Diary. 16th March 1673. Dr. Pearson [aged 60], Bishop of Chester, preached on Hebrews ix. 14; a most incomparable sermon from one of the most learned divines of our nation. I dined at my Lord Arlington's [aged 55] with the Duke [aged 23] and Duchess of Monmouth [aged 22]; she is one of the wisest and craftiest of her sex, and has much wit. Here was also the learned Isaac Vossius [aged 55].
In 1686 Bishop Thomas Cartwright [aged 52] was appointed Bishop of Chester by King James II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 52].
In 1689 Bishop Nicholas Stratford [aged 56] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th June 1690. Sonday, (Whitsonday) his Majesty [aged 39] went from Peele to Chester; (Portland [aged 40], Scarborough [aged 40] & Warrington [aged 38] in the coach with him interl); I, Bidolph & one of his servants followed the Guards, &c.( the Mayor, Aldermen met him at Boughton, the Livery & Bearers in the streete interl); he went directly to the Cathedral [Map], sate in the Bishops seate; the Bishop [aged 57] attended him as Clarke of the Closet; then preached; after sermon took coach immediately at the church doore, soe to dinner at Geaton, &c. I had 2 pockets picked in the church & severall others besides myselfe; the Mayor invited me but I refused him; I, Bidolph & G.Mainwaring [aged 47] dined with Streete; severall came here to us; Bellot & I went thence to visit Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37], &c. I left Bellot there; went to Jacksons; there were Bidolph, Streete, G.Mainwaring, my 2 sons, Warburton, Wright, Governor (but he stayd not), Colonel Harman, another officer,&c. I and Bidolph & Roger left them past 7; came home neare 9; found Mr Offley there, he stayd all night.
In 1708 William Dawes [aged 36] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
On or before 9th February 1708 Charles Bunbury 4th Baronet was born to Henry Bunbury 3rd Baronet [aged 31] and Susannah Hanmer Lady Bunbury [aged 31]. He was baptised at Chester Cathedral [Map] on 9th February 1708.
In October 1809 Bishop Bowyer Sparke [aged 50] was elected Bishop of Chester.
In 1812 Bishop George Henry Law [aged 50] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
In 1826 Bishop Edward Coplestone [aged 49] was appointed Dean of Chester.
Memorials of Edward Burne-Jones 1860. 9th June 1860. The 9th of June fell on a Saturday, and we decided to go no further that day than to Chester, where we should see its curious streets and attend service at the Cathedral [Map] on Sunday; Gabriel [aged 32] and his wife [aged 30] were by this time in Paris [Map], and we hoped to join them a few days later. But this was not in store for us, for unhappily Edward [aged 26] had been caught in a rain-storm a day or two before and already had a slight sore-throat, which now so quickly grew worse that by noon on Sunday he was almost speechless from it and in the hands of a strange doctor. This illness was a sharp check, and we found ourselves shut up for some days in a dreary hotel in an unknown place; but a gleam of satisfaction reached us when the doctor spoke of me to Edward as "your good lady," and gave me directions about what was to be done for the patient, with no apparent suspicion that I had not often nursed him before. Trusting in this and in some half-used reels of sewing cotton ostentatiously left about, as well as a display of boots which had already been worn, we felt great confidence that no one would guess how ignominiously newly-married we were.
In 1889 Bishop Francis Jayne [aged 43] was appointed Bishop of Chester.
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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In 1894 Reverend Francis Coulman Royds [aged 68] was appointed Honourary Canon of Chester Cathedral [Map].
In On 6th November 2004 Edward van Cutsem [aged 31] and Tamara Katherine Grosvenor [aged 24] were married at Chester Cathedral [Map] at a service officiated by Canon Lawrence Skipper [aged 87] who had officated at her parent's marriage in 1978. She the daughter of Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor 6th Duke Westminster [aged 52] and Natalia Phillips Duchess of Westminster [aged 45].
The bride was given away by her father the Duke of Westminster.
The bridesmaids included Viola Grosvenor [aged 12].
The ushers were Princes William [aged 22] and Harry [aged 20].
Guests included:
Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh [aged 83] and Her Majesty the Queen [aged 78] and the Duke of Edinburgh.
the Duchess of Westminster and her daughter Edwina Grosvenor [aged 23].
Local guests included Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, William Bromley Davenport, Richard Thomas, chief executive of Chester Race Company and the Duke's personal assistant Vicky Bolton.
Coaches and cars departed for a buffet reception at Eaton Hall [Map], near Eccleston, Cheshire, the ancestral home of the Grosvenors, with a spectacular fireworks display at 9pm.
On 7th June 2024 Hugh Grosvenor 7th Duke of Westminster [aged 33] and Olivia Henson were married at Chester Cathedral [Map]. He the son of Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor 6th Duke Westminster and Natalia Phillips Duchess of Westminster [aged 65].
William Prince of Wales [aged 41] attended.
Guests included Edwina Grosvenor [aged 42] and her husband Dan Snow.
The city's annual Summer Flowers project has been funded by the couple, with 100,000 flowers planted as part of the wedding celebrations and they have also paid for free ice cream and sorbet from three local independent businesses to be given to visitors to Chester city centre through the day. BBC.
Henry Denny was appointed Dean of Chester.
The south transept of Chester Cathedral served as the ancient parish church of St Oswald, which originally served the townships of Bache, Croughton, Great Boughton, Iddinshall, Newton by Chester and Wervin, and parts of Blacon cum Crabwall, Upton by Chester, and the City of Chester. It also included the ancient parochial chapelry of Bruera: St. Mary.
On or before 10th February 1763, the date she was baptised at St Oswald's, Chester, Elizabeth Tonman was born to Reverend Thomas Tonman and Dorothy Roberts. She married 3rd February 1784 Oswald Mosley, son of John Parker Mosley 1st Baronet, and had issue.
On 3rd February 1784 Oswald Mosley [aged 22] and Elizabeth Tonman [aged 20] were married at St Oswald's, Chester. They had four children between 1785 and 1789.