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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Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire is in Oxfordshire.
Around 1052 Anchitel Grey was born at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1110 Richard Grey was born to Anchitel Grey (age 58) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1130 Anchitel Grey was born to Richard Grey (age 20) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
On 7th March 1138 Anchitel Grey (age 86) died at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
In 1143 Robert Grey was born to Richard Grey (age 33) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1143 Richard Grey (age 33) died at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1162 Alice Grey was born to Anchitel Grey (age 32) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1271 John Grey was born to Robert Grey and Joan Valoines at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. He married before 1300 Margaret Oddingseles Baroness Grey Rotherfield and had issue.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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Around 1288 Joan Grey was born to John Grey (age 17) and Margaret Oddingseles Baroness Grey Rotherfield at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 9th October 1300 John Grey 1st Baron Grey was born to John Grey (age 29) and Margaret Oddingseles Baroness Grey Rotherfield at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married (1) before 1st March 1312 Catherine Fitzalan Baroness Grey Rotherfield and had issue (2) before 1343 his half fourth cousin once removed Avice Marmion Baroness Grey Rotherfield and had issue.
On 17th October 1311 John Grey (age 40) died at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1316 John Grey 2nd Baron Grey was born to John Grey 1st Baron Grey (age 15) and Catherine Fitzalan Baroness Grey Rotherfield (age 16) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. He married in or before 1347 his half fifth cousin once removed Maud Burghesh Baroness Grey Rotherfield, daughter of Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh and Elizabeth Verdun Baroness Burghesh, and had issue.
Around 1328 Maud Grey was born to John Grey 1st Baron Grey (age 27) and Catherine Fitzalan Baroness Grey Rotherfield (age 28) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. Date adjusted from 1338 to be consistent with mother's death around 1328. She married (1) in or before 1368 her sixth cousin John Botetort, son of John Botetort 2nd Baron Botetort and Joyce Zouche, and had issue (2) after 21st September 1369 her half third cousin twice removed Thomas Harcourt and had issue.
In 1342 Joan Grey died at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1347 Bartholomew Grey 3rd Baron Grey was born to John Grey 2nd Baron Grey (age 31) and Maud Burghesh Baroness Grey Rotherfield (age 32) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
Around 1349 Robert Grey 4th Baron Grey was born to John Grey 2nd Baron Grey (age 33) and Maud Burghesh Baroness Grey Rotherfield (age 34) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. He married (1) before 30th July 1386 Joan Unknown Baroness Grey of Rotherfield (2) after 30th July 1386 Elizabeth Plaunche Baroness Clinton Baroness Grey Rotherfield.
On 1st September 1359 John Grey 1st Baron Grey (age 58) died at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. His son John (age 43) succeeded 2nd Baron Grey of Rotherfield.
In January 1387 Robert Grey 4th Baron Grey (age 38) died at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. His daughter Joan succeeded 5th Baroness Grey of Rotherfield.
Around 1512 Francis Knollys was born to Robert Knollys (age 31) and Lettice Peniston (age 27) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. He married 26th April 1540 Catherine Carey and had issue.
On 9th July 1514 Robert Knollys (age 33) granted in survivorship, at an annual rental of a red rose at midsummer at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire.
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 1579 Elizabeth Knollys was born to Henry Knollys (age 37) and Margaret Cave (age 19) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. She married after 6th February 1605 Henry Willoughby 1st Baronet and had issue.
In 1583 Lettice Knollys Baroness Geneville Beaudasert was born to Henry Knollys and Margaret Cave (age 23) at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. She married before 19th June 1602 William Paget 4th Baron Paget Beaudasert, son of Thomas Paget 3rd Baron Paget Beaudasert and Nazareth Newton Baroness Geneville Beaudasert, and had issue.
Maud Grey was born to John Grey and Margaret Oddingseles Baroness Grey Rotherfield at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married after 1318 John Botetort 2nd Baron Botetort.
Joan Grey was born to John Grey 1st Baron Grey and Avice Marmion Baroness Grey Rotherfield at Rotherfield Greys, Oxfordshire. She married 1333 Richard Willoughby and had issue.