Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Fosse Way is in Roman Roads.
50AD. Margidunum, Nottinghamshire [Map] is a Roman Fort on the Fosse Way near Bingham, Nottinghamshire [Map]. A civilian settlement then developed in about 70-80 AD on either side of the Fosse Way. A stone wall nearly 3m wide was later built in front of the earth rampart, with two ditches beyond it. The fort was protected to the south and east by marshland. The site remained occupied until about 500 AD.
The Fosse Way is number 5 in 'Roman Roads of Britain' by Ivan D Margary.
In the Roman Period High Cross, Warwickshire [Map] was known as Venonae. It was an important settlement being the crossing point of two major Roman Roads Watling Street and the Fosse Way.
In the Roman period, Ilchester, Somerset [Map] was named Lindinis and was the site of a fort and then a town on the Fosse Way. It eventually served as one of two regional capitals for the Durotriges tribe.
Fosse Way. After Batheaston the Fosse Way continues along Bannerdown Road [Map] where it curves around Solsbury Hill, Somerset [Map] to reach the high ground where the road straightens out passing Three Shires Stone [Map], Fosse Gate, Wiltshire [Map], crossing the Gloucestershire River Avon 1.2km south-west of Easton Grey [Map] before reaching the Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire [Map] after which it travels to Corinium Dobunnorum [Map] aka Cirencester.
Fosse Way 5e High Cross to Leicester. From Venonae [Map] aka High Cross the Fosse Way continues north-west over the River Soar near to Sapcote, Leicestershire [Map] then continues to Ratae Corieltavorum [Map] aka Leicester.
Fosse Way 5b Ilchester to Bath. From Lindinis [Map] aka Ilchester the Fosse Way crosses the River Yeo at Northover, Somerset [Map], then travels just west of the Podimore Roundabout, Somerset [Map], to Wraxall, Somerset [Map] where there is a slight deviation to climb Wraxall Hill, Somerset [Map], and then descend Pye Hill, Somerset [Map]. Then through Cannard's Grave, Somerset [Map] to Beacon's Hill, Somerset [Map] where the Fosse Way is crossed by the Sorviodunum [Map] aka Old Sarum to Charterhouse, Somerset [Map] Roman Road. Then through Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset [Map], Midsomer Norton, Somerset [Map], Clandown, Somerset [Map], Peasdown, Somerset [Map], Dunkerton Bottom, Somerset [Map], Wellsway, Somerset [Map], Holloway [Map] to the Roman Bridge [Map] over the Gloucestershire River Avon into Aquae Sulis aka Bath.
Fosse Way 5a Axmouth to Ilchester. The Fosse Way starts in Seaton, Devon [Map] and/or Axmouth, Devon [Map] after which it travels north through Musbury, Devon [Map] to Axminster, Devon [Map] where crosses the Exeter, Devon [Map] to Dorchester, Dorset [Map] Roman Road. From Axminster, Devon [Map] the Fosse Way continues through Chard, Somerset [Map], Dinnington, Somerset [Map], Yeabridge, Somerset [Map] to Lindinis [Map] aka Ilchester.
Fosse Way 5f Leicester to Lincoln. Leaving Ratae Corieltavorum [Map] aka Leicester the Fosse way continues north-west through Thurmaston, Leicestershire [Map], past Syston [Map], where it makes a slight change in direction, through Six Hills, Leicestershire [Map] where Roman road (RM58) forks off north east to Grantham [Map]. Then passing Vernementum [Map] aka Willoughby-on-the-Wolds the Fosse Way make another minor change in alignment at Cotgrave [Map] before continuing through Margidunum, Nottinghamshire [Map], Ad Pontem [Map] aka East Stoke. Ad Pontem refers to it being close to the River Trent. The road continues through Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire [Map] then Crococalana Roman Settlement [Map] near present day Brough. At Bracebridge [Map] the Fosse Way meets Ermine Street 2 before continuing into Lindum Colonia [Map] aka Lincoln.
Fosse Way 5d Cirencester to High Cross. From Corinium Dobunnorum [Map] aka Cirencester the Fosse Way continues straight through Fossbridge, Gloucestershire [Map] where it crosses the River Coln, then past Northleach [Map] where it crosses the modern A40, then past Bourton-on-the-Water [Map] after which Icknield Street continues towards Alcester, Warwickshire [Map] and Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map]. 4.5km after Bourton-on-the-Water the Fosse Way makes a change in direction heading north passing through Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire [Map], Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire [Map], Halford, Warwickshire [Map], past Fosse Way, Compton Verney [Map], Princethorpe, Warwickshire [Map], then Bretford, Warwickshire [Map] where it crosses the Warwickshire River Avon. After it crosses the River Avon it continues straight to Venonae [Map] aka High Cross where it crossed Watling Street.
Fosse Way Bath. In Aquae Sulis aka Bath the Fosse Way continues along Southgate Street [Map], Stall Street [Map] past the [Map]. Here the Fosse Way had to turn right and combine with the London to Sea Mills Roman Road along Cheap Street [Map] before turning left into High Street [Map] then along either, or both, Walcot Street [Map] and/or Broad Street [Map], both were Roman roads. Thereafter the Fosse Way passes through Batheaston [Map] along London Road [Map].
Fosse Way Cirencester. In Corinium Dobunnorum [Map] aka Cirencester the Fosse Way follows the Old Tetbury Road [Map] and Castle Street [Map] as far as the Market Place [Map] where it gives way to the East-West Silchester to Gloucester road following Cricklade Street [Map], Lewis Lane [Map] and London Road [Map] before reaching the Burford Road [Map].
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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Fosse Way Leicester. At Ratae Corieltavorum [Map] aka Leicester the Fosse way crossed the River Soar at Leicester Roman Bridge [Map] entering the town by the west gate. Thereafter it continued straight along the High Street [Map] to the North-East Gate [Map] and thereafter along Haymarket [Map] and Belgrave Gate [Map].