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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MP Lancashire

MP Lancashire is in Member Parliament.

In 1427 Thomas Stanley 1st Baron Stanley (age 22) was elected MP Lancashire. He was re-elected in 1433, 1439, 1442, 1447, 1449, 1450, 1453 and 1455.

In October 1553 Richard Shireburn (age 31) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1601 Richard Hoghton 1st Baronet (age 30) was elected MP Lancashire. He was re-elected in 1604.

In 1614 Cuthbert Halsall (age 41) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1621 Gilbert Hoghton 2nd Baronet (age 30) was elected MP Lancashire which seat he held until 1622.

In 1626 Gilbert Hoghton 2nd Baronet (age 35) was elected MP Lancashire.

In April 1640 Gilbert Hoghton 2nd Baronet (age 49) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1645 Richard Hoghton 3rd Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1656 Richard Hoghton 3rd Baronet (age 40) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1705 Richard Shuttleworth (age 21) was elected MP Lancashire. He was returned in 1708, 1710, 1715, 1722, 1727, 1734 and 1741.

In 1761 James Shuttleworth (age 47) was elected MP Lancashire whchi seat he held until 1768.

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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In 1768 Archibald Hamilton 9th Duke Hamilton 6th Duke Brandon (age 27) was elected MP Lancashire.

On 4th September 1772 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton (age 23) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1774 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton (age 24) was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1780 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton (age 30) was elected MP Lancashire.