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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Gilbert Soest is in Painters.
Around 1605 Gilbert Soest was born.
Around 1644 Gilbert Soest (age 39). Portrait of John "Old Sir John" Brownlow 1st Baronet (age 54). Belton House.
Around 1646 Gilbert Soest (age 41). Portrait of Thomas Fairfax 2nd Viscount Fairfax and Elizabeth Smith.
Thomas Fairfax 2nd Viscount Fairfax: Around 1599 he was born to Thomas Fairfax 1st Viscount Fairfax and Katherine Constable. In or before 1620 Thomas Fairfax 2nd Viscount Fairfax and Alathea Howard Viscountess Fairfax were married. On 23rd December 1636 Thomas Fairfax 1st Viscount Fairfax died. His son Thomas succeeded 2nd Viscount Fairfax of Emley in Tipperary. Alathea Howard Viscountess Fairfax by marriage Viscountess Fairfax of Emley in Tipperary. On 24th September 1641 Thomas Fairfax 2nd Viscount Fairfax died. His son William succeeded 3rd Viscount Fairfax of Emley in Tipperary.
Elizabeth Smith: she was born to George Smith of Exeter and Joan Walker. In 1604 Thomas Monck and she were married.
Around 1647 Gilbert Soest (age 42). Portrait of William Pole (age 33).
William Pole: In 1614 he was born to John Pole 1st Baronet. In January 1649 William Pole died. He was buried in St Andrew's Church Colyton, Devon.
Around 1650 Gilbert Soest (age 45) (attribued). Portrait of Alice Pulteney (age 46).
Alice Pulteney: In 1604 she was born to John Pulteney of Misterton Leicestershire and Margery Fortescue. Before 1676 John "Old Sir John" Brownlow 1st Baronet and she were married. In 1676 she died.
Around 1650 Gilbert Soest (age 45). Portrait of Urith Shapcote Lady Pole. Belton House.
Urith Shapcote Lady Pole: she was born to Thomas Shapcote. Before 1649 Courtenay Pole 2nd Baronet and she were married. On 16th April 1658 John Pole 1st Baronet died. He was buried in St Andrew's Church Colyton, Devon. His son Courtenay succeeded 2nd Baronet Pole of Shute House in Devon. She by marriage Lady Pole of Shute House in Devon.
Around 1656 Gilbert Soest (age 51). Portrait of Aubrey de Vere 20th Earl of Oxford (age 28).
Around 1658 Gilbert Soest (age 53). Portrait of Henry Vane "The Younger" (age 44).
Around 1660 Gilbert Soest (age 55). Probably Thomas Stanley (age 35).
Around 1660 Gilbert Soest (age 55). Portrait of William Shakespeare.
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 1660 Gilbert Soest (age 55). Portrait of a Gentleman with a Dog, probably Thomas Tipping (age 44).
Thomas Tipping: On or before 10th December 1615, the date he was baptised in St Andrew's Church, Wheatfield, he was born. On 15th June 1660 Thomas Tipping was knighted by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland at Whitehall Palace [Map]. On 1st March 1693 he died. He was buried in St Andrew's Church, Wheatfield.
Around 1661 John Riley (age 15) studied under Gilbert Soest (age 56) from whom he learned a style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy.
Around 1667 Gilbert Soest (age 62). Portrait of Jacob Astley 1st Baronet (age 28).
Jacob Astley 1st Baronet: Around 1639 he was born to Edward Astley. On 6th February 1661 Jacob Astley 1st Baronet and Blanche Wodehouse Lady Astley were married. On 17th August 1729 Jacob Astley 1st Baronet died. His son Philip succeeded 2nd Baronet Astley of Hill Morton.
Around 1670 Gilbert Soest (age 65). Portrait of either John Darcy (age 11).
John Darcy: Around 1659 he was born to Conyers Darcy 2nd Earl Holderness and Frances Howard. Before 24th November 1681 John Darcy and Bridget Sutton were married. He the son of Conyers Darcy 2nd Earl Holderness and Frances Howard. In 1689 John Darcy died.
Around 1672 Gilbert Soest (age 67). Portrait of Henry Howard 6th Duke of Norfolk (age 43).
Around 1675 Gilbert Soest (age 70). Portrait of Margaret Hay Countess Roxburghe.
Margaret Hay Countess Roxburghe: she was born to John Hay 1st Marquess Tweeddale and Jean Scott Marchioness Teviotdale. On 10th October 1675 Robert Ker 3rd Earl Roxburghe and she were married. She by marriage Countess Roxburghe. She the daughter of John Hay 1st Marquess Tweeddale and Jean Scott Marchioness Teviotdale. He the son of William Ker 2nd Earl Roxburghe and Jane Ker Countess Roxburgh. They were second cousin once removed. In 1753 Margaret Hay Countess Roxburghe died.
Around 1675 Gilbert Soest (age 70). Portrait of Edward Herbert 3rd Baron Herbert Chirbury (age 42). Powis Castle.
Edward Herbert 3rd Baron Herbert Chirbury: In 1633 he was born to Richard Herbert 2nd Baron Herbert Chirbury and Mary Egerton Baroness Herbert Chirbury. On 13th May 1655 Richard Herbert 2nd Baron Herbert Chirbury died. His son Edward succeeded 3rd Baron Herbert Chirbury. Mary Egerton Baroness Herbert Chirbury by marriage Baroness Herbert Chirbury. Before 9th December 1678 Edward Herbert 3rd Baron Herbert Chirbury and Ann Myddelton were married. On 9th December 1678 Edward Herbert 3rd Baron Herbert Chirbury died. He was buried at Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His brother Henry succeeded 4th Baron Herbert Chirbury. Catherine Newport Baroness Herbert Chirbury by marriage Baroness Herbert Chirbury.
Around 1679 Gilbert Soest (age 74) (style of). Portrait of Ursula Woodcock (age 20). Belton House.
Ursula Woodcock: In 1659 she was born to Edward Woodcock. On 21st August 1678 Pury Cust and she were married. In 1684 she died.
Before 1680 Gilbert Soest (age 74). Portrait of Bishop Thomas Cartwright (age 45).
Bishop Thomas Cartwright: In 1634 he was born in Northampton [Map]. In 1686 he was appointed Bishop of Chester by King James II of England Scotland and Ireland. John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1686. Dr. Meggot, Dean of Winchester preached before the household in St. George's Chapel [Map] at Windsor, the late King's glorious chapel now seized on by the mass priests. Dr. Cartwright, Dean of Ripon, preached before the great men of the Court in the same place. In 1689 Bishop Thomas Cartwright died of dysentery in Dublin [Map]. He was buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map].
Around 1680 Gilbert Soest (age 75). Portrait of Francis Throckmorton 2nd Baronet (age 39).
Francis Throckmorton 2nd Baronet: In 1641 he was born to Robert Throckmorton 1st Baronet and Mary Smyth Lady Throckmorton. Before 1650 Francis Throckmorton 2nd Baronet and Anne Monson Lady Throckmorton were married. In 1650 Robert Throckmorton 1st Baronet died. His son Francis succeeded 2nd Baronet Throckmorton of Coughton in Warwickshire. Anne Monson Lady Throckmorton by marriage Lady Throckmorton of Coughton in Warwickshire. On 7th November 1680 Francis Throckmorton 2nd Baronet died. He was buried at Weston Underwood, Buckinghamshire. His son Robert succeeded 3rd Baronet Throckmorton of Coughton in Warwickshire.
Before 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 75). Portrait of William Fuller Bishop Limerick.
Before 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 75). Portrait of Henry Herbert 4th Baron Herbert Chirbury (age 40). Powis Castle.
Before 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 75). Portrait of John Hay 2nd Marquess Tweeddale (age 35).
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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Before 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 75). Portrait of Alice Pulteney. Belton House.
Before 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 75). Portrait of William Russell (age 41).
In 1681 Gilbert Soest (age 76) died.
After 26th April 1682 Gilbert Soest (circle of). Portrait of Anna Dorothea Warren.
Anna Dorothea Warren: On 26th April 1682 she was born to Edward Warren. Before 1755 she died.