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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Constable of the Tower of London is in Constables of Castles. See Tower of London [Map].
In 1220 Stephen Segrave [aged 49] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
On 23rd June 1267 Alan Zouche [aged 64] was appointed Warden of London and Constable of the Tower of London which offices he held until September.
In October 1335 Nicholas de la Beche was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1337 Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh [aged 50] was appointed Admiral of the Fleet from the mouth of the Thames westward, Constable of the Tower of London, Lord Chamberlain of the Household and Seneschal of Ponthieu.
In 1345 John Darcy 1st Baron Darcy of Knayth [aged 65] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1361 Richard Vache was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
On 7th October 1399 Thomas Rempston was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1413 John Abrichecourt was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1420 John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter [aged 24] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1433 Richard Woodville [aged 48] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Patent Rolls. 2nd December 1461. Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant for life to the king's [aged 19] kinsman John, Earl of Worcester [aged 34], of the office of the constable of the Tower of London, with the accustomed fees.
On 17th July 1483 Robert Brackenbury was appointed Constable of the Tower of London for life. As Constable he was in direct care of The Princes in the Tower: King Edward V of England [aged 12] and his brother Richard of Shrewsbury 1st Duke of York [aged 9].
Close Rolls Edward IV Edward V Richard III 1476-1485. 9th March 1484 King Richard III of England [aged 31]. Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant for life to the king's servant Robert Brackenbury of the office of Constable of the Tower of London and £100 yearly for his wages from the issues of the manors or lordships of Wrottell, Haveryng, Boyton, Hadlegh, Raylegh and Rocheford, co Essex, and Tunbrich, Penshurste, Middleton and Merdon and the hundred of Middleton, co Kent, with arrears from 17 July last, in lieu of a grant to him by letters patent of that date surrendered. By p.s.
On 28th May 1524 William Kingston [aged 48] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 2nd May 1536. ... and the same daie, about five of the clocke at nighta, Anne Bolleine [aged 35] was brought to the Towre of London by my Lord Chauncelor [aged 48]b, the Duke of Norfolke [aged 63], Mr. Secretarie [aged 51],c and Sir William Kingston [aged 60], Constable of the Tower; and when she came to the court gate,d entring in, she fell downe on her knees before the said lordes, beseeching God to helpe her as she was not giltie of her accusement,e and also desired the said lordes to beseech the Kinges grace to be good unto her, and so they left her their prisoner.f
Note a. "In the afternoon." — Stow.
Note b. Sir Thomas Audley.
Note c. Sir Thomas Cromwell, afterwards Earl of Essex.
Note d. "Towergate" in Stow.
Note e. On her arrest she was informed of the accusation of adultery.
Note f. Anne's prison-chamber was that in which she had slept the night before her coronation.
In 1540 John Gage [aged 60] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1557 Robert Oxenbridge [aged 49] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
In 1685 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth [aged 38] was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
Geoffrey Mandeville was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.
William Mandeville was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.