William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford is in Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map], Churches in Oxfordshire, Cathedrals in England.
In August 1345 Elizabeth Montfort Baroness Furnivall Baroness Montagu (age 70) died. She was buried at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
Monumental Effigies. Elizabeth, wife of William Lord Montacute, (died 1354) in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
Monumental Effigies. Elizabeth, wife of William Lord Montacute, (died 1354) in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
Monumental Effigies. Children of Elizabeth on her tomb in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
In 1493 Bishop Richard Mayew (age 53) was appointed Archdeacon of Oxford.
In 1504 Christopher Urswick (age 56) was appointed Archdeacon of Oxford.
In 1559 George Carew (age 61) was appointed Dean of Oxford.
After June 1567 Archbishop Hugh Curwen (age 67) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
In 1632 Bishop John Bancroft (age 58) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
After 23rd October 1642 George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny (deceased) was buried at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 12th July 1654. Thence we went to New College, where the chapel was in its ancient garb, notwithstanding the scrupulosity of the times. Thence, to Christ's Church [Map], in whose library was shown us an Office of Henry VIII., the writing, miniatures, and gilding whereof is equal, if not surpassing, any curiosity I had seen of that kind; it was given by their founder, Cardinal Wolsey. The glass windows of the cathedral (famous in my time) I found much abused. The ample hall and column, that spreads its capital to sustain the roof as one goes up the stairs, is very remarkable.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
John Evelyn's Diary. 24th February 1665. Dr. Fell (age 39), Canon of Christ Church, preached before the King (age 34), on 15 ch. Romans, v. 2, a very formal discourse, and in blank verse, according to his manner; however, he is a good man. Mr. Philips, preceptor to my son, went to be with the Earl of Pembroke's (age 44) son, my Lord Herbert (age 24).
In November 1665 Bishop Walter Blandford (age 49) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
On 29th December 1670 Robert South (age 36) was appointed Canon of Christ Church.
In 1671 Bishop Nathaniel Crew 3rd Baron Crew (age 37) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
In 1674 Bishop Henry Compton (age 42) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
John Evelyn's Diary. 28th April 1676. The University of Oxford presented me with the "Marmora Oxoniensia Arundeliana"; the Bishop of Oxford writing to desire that I would introduce Mr. Prideaux, the editor (a young man most learned in antiquities) to the Duke of Norfolk (age 49), to present another dedicated to his Grace, which I did, and we dined with the Duke at Arundel House [Map], and supped at the Bishop of Rochester's (age 51) with Isaac Vossius (age 58).
In 1686 Bishop Samuel Parker (age 46) was appointed Bishop of Oxford by King James II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 52).
In 1699 Bishop William Talbot (age 41) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
In 1704 Bishop Francis Atterbury (age 40) was appointed Dean of Oxford.
In 1724 Bishop Thomas Tanner (age 49) became Canon of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In April 1763 Archbishop John Moore (age 32) was preferred to a canonry at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
On 30th November 1799 Charles Henry Hall (age 36) was appointed Prebendary of the second stall of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
In 1805 Charles Henry Hall (age 42) was appointed sub-Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
In February 1807 Charles Henry Hall (age 44) was elected Regius Professor of Divinity, and moved to the fifth stall in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford [Map].
In 1816 Bishop Edward Legge (age 60) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
In 1829 Bishop Richard Bagot (age 46) was appointed Bishop of Oxford.
On 17th October 1911 Bishop Charles Gore (age 58) was elected Bishop of Oxford.