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.
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Around 1650 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding was born in Solihull, Warwickshire.
On 14th April 1659 Roger Palmer 1st Earl Castlemaine (age 25) and [his future wife] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 18) were married. She the daughter of William Villiers 2nd Viscount Grandison and Mary Bayning Countess Anglesey (age 36).
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th July 1660. Up early, the first day that I put on my black camlett coat with silver buttons. To Mr. Spong, whom I found in his night-down writing of my patent, and he had done as far as he could "for that &c". by 8 o'clock. It being done, we carried it to Worcester House to the Chancellor, where Mr. Kipps (a strange providence that he should now be in a condition to do me a kindness, which I never thought him capable of doing for me), got me the Chancellor's receipt to my bill; and so carried it to Mr. Beale (age 28) for a dockett; but he was very angry, and unwilling to do it, because he said it was ill writ (because I had got it writ by another hand, and not by him); but by much importunity I got Mr. Spong to go to his office and make an end of my patent; and in the mean time Mr. Beale to be preparing my dockett, which being done, I did give him two pieces, after which it was strange how civil and tractable he was to me. From thence I went to the Navy office, where we despatched much business, and resolved of the houses for the Officers and Commissioners, which I was glad of, and I got leave to have a door made me into the leads. From thence, much troubled in mind about my patent, I went to Mr. Beale again, who had now finished my patent and made it ready for the Seal, about an hour after I went to meet him at the Chancellor's. So I went away towards Westminster, and in my way met with Mr. Spong, and went with him to Mr. Lilly (age 41) and ate some bread and cheese, and drank with him, who still would be giving me council of getting my patent out, for fear of another change, and my Lord Montagu's fall. After that to Worcester House, where by Mr. Kipps's means, and my pressing in General Montagu's name to the Chancellor, I did, beyond all expectation, get my seal passed; and while it was doing in one room, I was forced to keep Sir G. Carteret (age 50) (who by chance met me there, ignorant of my business) in talk, while it was a doing. Went home and brought my wife with me into London, and some money, with which I paid Mr. Beale £9 in all, and took my patent of him and went to my wife again, whom I had left in a coach at the door of Hinde Court, and presented her with my patent at which she was overjoyed; so to the Navy office, and showed her my house, and were both mightily pleased at all things there, and so to my business. So home with her, leaving her at her mother's door. I to my Lord's, where I dispatched an order for a ship to fetch Sir R. Honywood home, for which I got two pieces of my Lady Honywood by young Mr. Powell. Late writing letters; and great doings of music at the next house, which was Whally's; the King and Dukes there with [his future wife] Madame Palmer (age 19)1, a pretty woman that they have a fancy to, to make her husband a cuckold. Here at the old door that did go into his lodgings, my Lord, I, and W. Howe, did stand listening a great while to the music. After that home to bed. This day I should have been at Guildhall to have borne witness for my brother Hawly against Black Collar, but I could not, at which I was troubled. To bed with the greatest quiet of mind that I have had a great while, having ate nothing but a bit of bread and cheese at Lilly's to-day, and a bit of bread and butter after I was a-bed.
Note 1. Barbara Villiers, only child of William, second Viscount Grandison, born November, 1640, married April 14th, 1659, to Roger Palmer (age 26), created Earl of Castlemaine, 1661. She became the King's (age 30) mistress soon after the Restoration, and was in 1670 made Lady Nonsuch, Countess of Southampton, and Duchess of Cleveland. She had six children by the King, one of them being created Duke of Grafton, and the eldest son succeeding her as [his illegitimate step-son] Duke of Cleveland. She subsequently married Beau Fielding (age 10), whom she prosecuted for bigamy. She died October 9th, 1709, aged sixty-nine. Her life was written by G. Steinman Steinman, and privately printed 1871, with addenda 1874, and second addenda 1878.
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On 11th December 1661 Roger Palmer 1st Earl Castlemaine (age 27) was created 1st Earl Castlemaine, 1st Baron Limerick by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 31) in gratitude for allowing his wife [his future wife] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 21) to become the King's mistress. Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland by marriage Countess Castlemaine. The title was to descend only to children of Barbara, which in effect, constrained it to her children with Charles. See Diary of Samuel Pepys, 7th December 1661.
In August 1665 Donough Maccarthy 1st Earl Clancarty (age 71) died. His grandson Charles (age 2) succeeded 2nd Earl Clancarty. [his future wife] Margaret Burke Lady Muskerry by marriage Countess Clancarty.
In 1670 [his future wife] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 29) was created 1st Duchess Cleveland, 1st Countess of Southampton and 1st Baroness Nonsuch by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 39) for having given birth to five of his illegitimate children.
On 25th May 1671 Henry Wood 1st Baronet (age 73) died without male issue. Baronet Wood extinct. On 31st May 1671 he was buried at Ufford, Suffolk. His daughter Mary Wood Duchess Southampton (age 8) was his heir. In view of the great wealth she was to inherit she was betrothed to [his illegitimate step-son] Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland (age 8), an illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 40) and [his future wife] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 30). On her father's death she went to live with Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland. They, Mary Wood Duchess Southampton and Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland married 1679 but she died a year later from smallpox.
In 1676 Robert Villiers and [his future wife] Margaret Burke Lady Muskerry were married. She the daughter of Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and Anne Compton Lady Rushout.
Before 14th August 1698 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 48) and Margaret Burke Lady Muskerry were married. She the daughter of Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and Anne Compton Lady Rushout.
On 14th August 1698 [his wife] Margaret Burke Lady Muskerry died.
On 9th November 1705 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 55) and Anne Deleau were married. He pursuing her believing her to be an heiress worth £60,000 her friends sought to prevent the marriage at the ceremony Anne Deleau was substituted with Mary Wadsworth.
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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On 25th November 1705 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 55) and Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 64) were married bigamously. She the daughter of William Villiers 2nd Viscount Grandison and Mary Bayning Countess Anglesey.
Around April 1706 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 56) conducted an affair with his wife's grand-daughter Charlotte Lee Baroness Baltimore (age 27).
On 4th December 1706 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 56) was found guilty of bigamy. The marriage between him and [his wife] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 66) was annulled. He escaped sentence by producing a letter from Queen Anne of England Scotland and Ireland (age 41) suspending his sentences. He lived out his days with Mary Wadsworth.
On 9th October 1709 [his wife] Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland (age 68) died at Chiswick Mall. Her son [his illegitimate step-son] Charles (age 47) succeeded 2nd Duke Cleveland, 2nd Earl of Southampton and 2nd Baron Nonsuch. Anne Pulteney Duchess Southampton Duchess of Cleveland (age 45) by marriage Duchess Cleveland.
On 12th May 1712 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding (age 62) died.
Charles Maccarthy Viscount Muskerry and Margaret Burke Lady Muskerry were married. She the daughter of Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and Anne Compton Lady Rushout. He the son of Donough Maccarthy 1st Earl Clancarty and Ellen Butler Countess Clancarty. They were first cousin three times removed.