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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Granddaughter is in Grandson and Granddaughter.
On 19th March 1286 King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 44] died from a fall from a horse at Kinghorn Ness while riding in the dark to visit the Queen [aged 22] at Kinghorn in Fife because it was her birthday the next day. His granddaughter Margaret [aged 2] succeeded I Queen Scotland.
On 21st October 1314 Geoffrey Geneville 1st Baron Geneville [aged 88] died at Trim, County Meath. He was buried at Black Friary, Trim, County Meath. His granddaughter Joan [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Baroness Geneville. She and her husband Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March [aged 27] inherited the vast legacy of the de Lacy dynasty, including Ludlow Castle [Map].
On 4th April 1386 John Botetort 2nd Baron Botetort [aged 68] died. His granddaughter Joyce [aged 18] succeeded 3rd Baroness Botetort.
On 10th January 1408 John Cobham 3rd Baron Cobham [aged 87] died at Cooling Castle [Map]. His granddaughter Joan succeeded 4th Baroness Cobham.
On 18th May 1445 William Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 73] died at Woodham Ferrers, Essex. His granddaughter Elizabeth [aged 26] succeeded 6th Baroness Ferrers of Groby. Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 30] by marriage Baron Ferrers of Groby.
On 2nd October 1446 Robert Poynings 4th Baron Poynings [aged 63] died at Orléans. His granddaughter Eleanor [aged 24] succeeded 5th Baroness Poynings
On 5th January 1458 Thomas Dacre 6th Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 70] died. His granddaughter Joan [aged 25] succeeded 7th Baroness Dacre Gilsland, 7th Baroness Multon of Gilsland.
On 1st June 1487 Ralph Greystoke 5th Baron Greystoke [aged 73] died. His granddaughter Elizabeth [aged 15] succeeded 6th Baroness Greystoke.
On 10th November 1521 Robert Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 10th Baron Latimer [aged 49] died at Bere Ferrers, Devon. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Bere Ferrers [Map]. His granddaughter Elizabeth [aged 9] succeeded 11th Baroness Latimer of Corby, 3rd Baroness Willoughby Broke. It isn't clear whether she claimed the titles since the law of succession by females when a peerage was created by writ was not established until 1696.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Around 1551 John Stewart 3rd Earl Buchan [aged 53] died. His granddaughter Christina [aged 3] succeeded 4th Countess Buchan.
On 27th August 1566 Thomas Griffin 11th Baron Latimer Braybrooke died. His granddaughter Mary [aged 21] de jure 12th Baroness Latimer of Braybrook.
Before 24th December 1641 Henry Neville 2nd Baron Abergavenny [aged 62] died. He was buried at Birling, Kent [Map]. His granddaughter Margaret succeeded 3rd Baroness Abergavenny.
On 23rd June 1643 Edward Dudley 5th Baron Dudley [aged 75] died. His granddaughter Frances [aged 31] succeeded 6th Baroness Dudley. Humble Ward 1st Baron Ward of Birmingham Baron Dudley [aged 29] by marriage Baron Dudley. Humble Ward 1st Baron Ward of Birmingham Baron Dudley by marriage Baron Dudley.
On 25th March 1667 Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Cleveland [aged 76] died. Earl Cleveland extinct. His granddaughter Henrietta [aged 6] de jure 10th Baroness Despencer.
On 7th May 1697 Anne Wentworth 7th Baroness Wentworth Baroness Lovelace [aged 73] died. Her granddaughter Martha [aged 30] succeeded 8th Baroness Wentworth, Her granddaughter Martha de jure 12th Baroness Despencer.
On 25th December 1717 Robert Shirley 1st Earl Ferrers [aged 67] died. His son Washington [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Earl Ferrers, 8th Baronet Shirley of Staunton Harold in Leicestershire. Mary Levinge Countess Ferrers by marriage Countess Ferrers. His granddaughter Elizabeth [aged 23] succeeded 15th Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.
On 5th June 1740 Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent [aged 69] died without surviving male issue. Duke Kent, Marquess Kent, Earl Kent and Viscount Gooderich extinct. His granddaughter Jemima [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Marchioness Grey.
Monument at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map] sculpted by Edward Shepherd.
On 3rd October 1831 Thomas Stapleton 12th Baron Despencer [aged 64] died. His granddaughter Mary [aged 9] succeeded 13th Baroness Despencer. His son Francis [aged 24] succeeded 7th Baronet Stapleton of Leeward Islands.
On 9th October 1956 Una Mary Dawson 25th Baroness de Ros of Helmsley [aged 77] died. Her granddaughter Georgiana [aged 23] succeeded 26th Baroness Ros Helmsley.