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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St Dionis Backchurch is in Langbourn Ward.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 6th December 1559. The vj day of Dessember was bered in sant Dennys parryche in Fanchyrche stret, the chyrche and the qwyre hangyd with blake and armes, and the plasse and the strett, ser Thomas Cortes knyght and latt mare of London, and Fysmonger and Puterer; ther was iij haroldes of armes, and ther had my lord mare and the sword-bayrer and dyvers althermen had blake, and the residuw in vyolett; and ther was a C. in blake gownes and cottes; and he had a standard and a v penon of armes, and a x dosen skochyons; and ther dyd pryche master Recherdson the Skott; and after to the plasse, and the mare and the althermen to dener, for ther was a grett dener, and pore men in gownes and the clarkes of London syngyng; a grett denner for all men that wold come.
On 10th August 1563 Thomas Becon [aged 51] was appointed to the rectory of St Dionis Backchurch.
In 1591 Edward Osborne [aged 61] died. He was buried at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 26th April 1601 Richard Drury [aged 44] and Catherine Beswick were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
In 1602 Margaret Chapman of St Olave's in Southwark died. She was buried next to her first husband at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 26th November 1619 Edward Dering 1st Baronet [aged 21] and Elizabeth Tufton were married at St Dionis Backchurch. She the daughter of Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 41] and Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 38].
On 19th April 1633 Abraham Hill was born to Richard Hill of Lime Street and Agnes Trewolla. He was baptised on 16th June 1635 at St Dionis Backchurch. He married (1) in or before 1658 Anne Whitelocke and had issue (2) in or after 1661 Elizabeth Pratt.
On or before 22nd December 1637, the date he was baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, Charles Vermuyden was born.
On or before 18th January 1641 Thomas Crispe of Dornford was born to Nicholas Crispe 1st Baronet [aged 42]. He was baptised on 18th January 1641 at St Dionis Backchurch. He married in or before 1685 Dorothy Vane and had issue.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On or before 1st April 1647 Thomas Rawlinson was born to Daniel Rawlinson Vintner [aged 33]. He was baptised on 1st April 1647 at St Dionis Backchurch. He married in or before 1693 Mary Taylor.
On 12th February 1655 Henry Carey and Mary Scrope 6th Marchioness Winchester were married at St Dionis Backchurch. She the illegitmate daughter of Emanuel Scrope 1st Earl of Sunderland and Martha Jeanes. He the son of Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth [aged 59] and Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth [aged 54]. They were second cousins.
On 8th April 1657 Thomas Chamberlayne 2nd Baronet [aged 22] and Margaret Prideaux were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 2nd April 1673 John Egerton 3rd Earl Bridgewater [aged 26] and Jane Paulet Countess Bridgewater [aged 17] were married at St Dionis Backchurch. She the daughter of Charles Paulet 1st Duke Bolton [aged 43] and Mary Scrope 6th Marchioness Winchester. He the son of John Egerton 2nd Earl Bridgewater [aged 49] and Elizabeth Cavendish Countess Bridgewater. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 3rd June 1683 Martin Lumley 3rd Baronet [aged 21] and Elizabeth Dawes were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
Before 18th November 1708 Thomas Rawlinson [aged 61] died. He was buried on 20th November 1708 at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 10th November 1713 John Slaney [aged 30] and Barbara Mitford were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
Before 1st March 1725 Mary Taylor died. She was buried on 1st March 1725 at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 23rd April 1831 John Kelley Halswelle was born. He was baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, London, on 6th July 1831.