Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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Coronation of Charles II is in 1660-1684 Restoration.
On 20th April 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 30] created a number of new Baronets and Peers:
William Morice 1st Baronet [aged 33] was created 1st Baronet Morice of Werrington in Devon. Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice by marriage Lady Morice of Werrington in Devon.
John Crew 1st Baron Crew [aged 63] was created 1st Baron Crew of Stene in Northamptonshire. Jemima Waldegrave Baroness Crew [aged 59] by marriage Baroness Crew of Stene in Northamptonshire.
Edward Hyde 1st Earl Clarendon [aged 52] was created 1st Earl Clarendon at Westminster Abbey [Map] on the occasion of the Coronation Charles II. Frances Aylesbury Countess Clarendon [aged 43] by marriage Countess Clarendon.
Oliver Fitzwilliam 1st Earl Tyrconnel [aged 51] was created 1st Earl Tyrconnel. Eleanore Holles Countess Tyrconnel by marriage Countess Tyrconnel.
On 22nd April 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 30] rode from the Tower of London [Map] to Whitehall Palace [Map]. At the Lime Street end of Leadenhall he passed under a triumphal arch built after the Doric order, with Rebellion, her crimson robe alive with snakes, being crushed by Monarchy Restored, and a fine painting of his Majesty's landing at Dover, "with ships at sea, great guns going off, one kneeling and kissing the King's hand, soldiers, horse and foot and many people gazing".
Outside the East India House in Leadenhall Street [Map], that loyal and honourable trading company expressed their dutiful affections to his Majesty by two Indian youths, one attended by two blackamoors and the other mounted upon a camel, which bore on its back two panniers filled with jewels, spices, and silks to be scattered among the spectators.
At the Conduit in Cornhill [Map] a special treat was prepared for the bachelor king in the shape of eight nymphs clad in white. A little further down the street, just opposite the Royal Exchange, was another arch, with stages against it depicting the River Thames and the upper deck of one of his Majesty's ships.
The procession included the Duke of York [aged 27], the Lord High Constable [aged 58] and the Lord Great Chamberlain [aged 53].
The Sword of State was carried by Esmé Stewart 2nd Duke Richmond 5th Duke Lennox.
On 23rd April 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 30] was crowned II King England Scotland and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map].
John Bennet 1st Baron Ossulston [aged 44], Francis Fane [aged 23] and Edward Hungerford [aged 28] was appointed Knight of the Bath.
Francis Godolphin [aged 55] was knighted.
Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland [aged 16] attended.
James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 42] was appointed Earl Marshal.
On 29th April 1661 William Godolphin 1st Baronet [aged 21] was created 1st Baronet Godolphin.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 19th April 1661. Among my workmen and then to the office, and after that dined with Sir W. Batten [aged 60], and then home, where Sir W. Warren came, and I took him and Mr. Shepley and Moore with me to the Mitre [Map], and there I cleared with Warren for the deals I bought lately for my Lord of him, and he went away, and we staid afterwards a good while and talked, and so parted, it being so foul that I could not go to Whitehall to see the Knights of the Bath made to-day, which do trouble me mightily. So home, and having staid awhile till Will came in (with whom I was vexed for staying abroad), he comes and then I went by water to my father's, and then after supper to bed with my wife.
John Evelyn's Diary. 19th April 1661. To London, and saw the bathing and rest of the ceremonies of the Knights of the Bath, preparatory to the coronation; it was in the Painted Chamber [Map], Westminster. I might have received this honor; but declined it. The rest of the ceremony was in the chapel at Whitehall, when their swords being laid on the altar, the Bishop delivered them.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th April 1661. But my pleasure was great to see the manner of it, and so many great beauties, but above all Mrs. Palmer [aged 20], with whom the King do discover a great deal of familiarity. So Mr. Creed and I (the play being done) went to Mrs. Harper's, and there sat and drank, it being about twelve at night. The ways being now so dirty, and stopped up with the rayles which are this day set up in the streets, I would not go home, but went with him to his lodging at Mr. Ware's, and there lay all night.
John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd April 1661. Was the splendid cavalcade of his Majesty [aged 30] from the Tower of London to Whitehall, when I saw him in the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] create six Earls, and as many Barons, viz:
Edward Lord Hyde, Lord Chancellor [aged 52], Earl of Clarendon; supported by the Earls of Northumberland [aged 58] and Sussex [aged 14]; the Earl of Bedford [aged 44] carried the cap and coronet, the Earl of Warwick [aged 46], the sword, the Earl of Newport [aged 64], the mantle.
Next, was Capel, created Earl of Essex.
Brudenell, Cardigan;.
Valentia, Anglesea;.
Greenvill, Bath;.
Howard, Earl of Carlisle.
The Barons were: Denzille Holles; Cornwallis; Booth; Townsend; Cooper; Crew; who were led up by several Peers, with Garter and officers of arms before them; when, after obedience on their several approaches to the throne, their patents were presented by Garter King-at-Arms, which being received by the Lord Chamberlain [aged 59], and delivered to his Majesty, and by him to the Secretary of State, were read, and then again delivered to his Majesty, and by him to the several Lords created; they were then robed, their coronets and collars put on by his Majesty, and they were placed in rank on both sides of the state and throne; but the Barons put off their caps and circles, and held them in their hands, the Earls keeping on their coronets, as cousins to the King.
I spent the rest of the evening in seeing the several archtriumphals built in the streets at several eminent places through which his Majesty was next day to pass, some of which, though temporary, and to stand but one year, were of good invention and architecture, with inscriptions.
Notes:
Arthur Capell 1st Earl Essex [aged 29] was created 1st Earl Essex. Elizabeth Percy Countess Essex [aged 25] by marriage Countess Essex.
Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Cardigan [aged 78] was created 1st Earl Cardigan. Mary Tresham Countess Cardigan by marriage Countess Cardigan.
Arthur Annesley 1st Earl Annesley [aged 46] was created 1st Earl Anglesey, 1st Baron Annesley Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire. Elizabeth Altham Countess Anglesey [aged 41] by marriage Countess Anglesey.
John Granville 1st Earl Bath [aged 32] was created 1st Earl Bath, 1st Baron Granville of Kilkhampton and Biddeford.
Charles Howard 1st Earl Carlisle [aged 32] was created 1st Earl Carlisle.
Denzil Holles 1st Baron Holles [aged 61] was created 1st Baron Holles. Jane Shirley Baroness Holles by marriage Baroness Holles.
Frederick Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis [aged 50] was created 1st Baron Cornwallis.
George Booth 1st Baron Delamer [aged 38] was created 1st Baron Delamer. Elizabeth Grey Baroness Delamer [aged 39] by marriage Baroness Delamer.
Horatio Townshend 1st Viscount Townsend [aged 30] was created 1st Baron Townshend of Lynn Regis in Norfolk.
Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury [aged 39] was created 1st Baron Ashley of Wimborne St Giles.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 22nd April 1661. King's Going from ye Tower to White Hall1. Up early and made myself as fine as I could, and put on my velvet coat, the first day that I put it on, though made half a year ago. And being ready, Sir W. Batten [aged 60], my Lady, and his two daughters and his son and wife, and Sir W. Pen [aged 39] and his son and I, went to Mr. Young's, the flag-maker, in Corne-hill2; and there we had a good room to ourselves, with wine and good cake, and saw the show very well.
In which it is impossible to relate the glory of this day, expressed in the clothes of them that rid, and their horses and horses clothes, among others, my Lord Sandwich's [aged 35]. Embroidery and diamonds were ordinary among them. The Knights of the Bath was a brave sight of itself; and their Esquires, among which Mr. Armiger was an Esquire to one of the Knights. Remarquable were the two men that represent the two Dukes of Normandy and Aquitane. The Bishops come next after Barons, which is the higher place; which makes me think that the next Parliament they will be called to the House of Lords. My Lord Monk [aged 52] rode bare after the King, and led in his hand a spare horse, as being Master of the Horse. The King, in a most rich embroidered suit and cloak, looked most noble. Wadlow3, the vintner, at the Devil [Map]; in Fleetstreet, did lead a fine company of soldiers, all young comely men, in white doublets. There followed the Vice-Chamberlain, Sir G. Carteret [aged 51], a company of men all like Turks; but I know not yet what they are for.
The streets all gravelled, and the houses hung with carpets before them, made brave show, and the ladies out of the windows, one of which over against us I took much notice of, and spoke of her, which made good sport among us. So glorious was the show with gold and silver, that we were not able to look at it, our eyes at last being so much overcome with it.
Both the King [aged 30] and the Duke of York [aged 27] took notice of us, as he saw us at the window. The show being ended, Mr. Young did give us a dinner, at which we were very merry, and pleased above imagination at what we have seen. Sir W. Batten going home, he and I called and drunk some mum4 and laid our wager about my Lady Faulconbridge's name5, which he says not to be Mary, and so I won above 20s. So home, where Will and the boy staid and saw the show upon Towre Hill, and Jane at T. Pepys's, The. Turner [aged 9], and my wife at Charles Glassecocke's, in Fleet Street. In the evening by water to White Hall to my Lord's, and there I spoke with my Lord. He talked with me about his suit, which was made in France, and cost him £200, and very rich it is with embroidery. I lay with Mr. Shepley, and Coronacion Day.
Note 1. The king in the early morning of the 22nd went from Whitehall to the Tower by water, so that he might proceed from thence through the City to Westminster Abbey, there to be crowned.
Note 2. The members of the Navy Office appear to have chosen Mr. Young's house on account of its nearness to the second triumphal arch, situated near the Royal Exchange [Map], which was dedicated to the Navy.
Note 3. Simon Wadlow was the original of "old Sir Simon the king", the favourite air of Squire Western in "Tom Jones". "Hang up all the poor hop-drinkers, Cries old Sim, the king of skinkers". Ben Jonson, Verses over the door into the Apollo.
Note 4. Mum. Ale brewed with wheat at Brunswick. "Sedulous and stout With bowls of fattening mum". J. Phillips, Cyder, Vol. ii. p. 231.
Note 5. Mary [aged 52], third daughter of Oliver Cromwell, and second wife of Thomas Bellasis [aged 62], second Viscount Fauconberg, created Earl of Fauconberg, April 9th, 1689.
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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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd April 1661. But, above all, was these three Lords, Northumberland [aged 58], and Suffolk [aged 42], and the Duke of Ormond [aged 50], coming before the courses on horseback, and staying so all dinner-time, and at last to bring up [Dymock] the King's Champion, all in armour on horseback, with his spear and targett carried before him. And a Herald proclaims "That if any dare deny Charles Stewart to be lawful King of England, here was a Champion that would fight with him1;" and with these words, the Champion flings down his gauntlet, and all this he do three times in his going up towards the King's table. At last when he is come, the King drinks to him, and then sends him the cup which is of gold, and he drinks it off, and then rides back again with the cup in his hand.
Note 1. The terms of the Champion's challenge were as follows: "If any person of what degree soever, high or low, shall deny or gainsay our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, Sonne and next heire to our Soveraigne Lord Charles the First, the last King deceased, to be right heire to the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme of England, or that bee ought not to enjoy the same; here is his champion, who sayth that he lyeth and is a false Traytor, being ready in person to combate with him, and in this quarrell will venture his life against him, on what day soever hee shall be appointed".
John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd April 1661. Was the coronation of his Majesty [aged 30] Charles II in the Abbey-Church of Westminster [Map]; at all which ceremony I was present. the King and his Nobility went to the Tower [Map], I accompanying my Lord Viscount Mordaunt [aged 34] part of the way; this was on Sunday, the 22d; but indeed his Majesty went not till early this morning, and proceeded from thence to Westminster in this order: