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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Queen Consort Castile is in Kingdom of Castile.
On 7th October 1072 Sancho "Strong" II King Leon II King Castile [aged 35] died. His brother Alfonso [aged 31] succeeded VI King Castile. Agnes Poitiers Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Castile [aged 14] by marriage Queen Consort Castile.
In 1079 Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile [aged 38] and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon [aged 33] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Robert I Duke Burgundy and Helie Samur Duchess Burgundy. He the son of Ferdinand "Great" I King Leon and Sancha Astur Leonese.
In November 1128 Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon [aged 23] and Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of Raymond III Count Barcelona [aged 45] and Douce Gevaudan Countess Barcelona. He the son of Raymond Ivrea and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona. They were third cousin once removed.
In 1151 Sancho III King Castile [aged 17] and Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of García "Restorer" IV King Navarre and Marguerite Aigle Queen Consort Navarre. He the son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon [aged 45] and Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon. They were fourth cousins.
In 1152 Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon [aged 46] and Richeza Unknown Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. He the son of Raymond Ivrea and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona.
Before 17th September 1177 Alfonso VIII King Castile [aged 21] and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 44] and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 55]. He the son of Sancho III King Castile and Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile. They were half fourth cousins.
In 1215 Henry I King Castile [aged 10] and Mafalda Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal and Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Alfonso VIII King Castile and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile. They were second cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1216 Henry I King Castile [aged 11] and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Castile [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Alfonso IX King Leon [aged 44] and Theresa of Portugal Queen Consort Leon [aged 40]. He the son of Alfonso VIII King Castile and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile. They were second cousins. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 30th November 1219 Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon [aged 20] and Elisabeth Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [aged 14] were married in Burgos [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of Philip King Germany. He the son of Alfonso IX King Leon [aged 48] and Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile [aged 40]. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In October 1237 Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon [aged 38] and Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon [aged 17] were married in Burgos [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Simon Dammartin [aged 57] and Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu [aged 38]. He the son of Alfonso IX King Leon and Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile [aged 58]. They were second cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 30th May 1252 Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon [aged 53] died. His son Alfonso [aged 30] succeeded X King Castile, X King Leon. Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon.
On 2nd April 1284 Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon [aged 62] died. His son Sancho [aged 25] succeeded IV King Castile, IV King Leon. Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon.
On 23rd January 1302 Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [aged 16] and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of Denis I King Portugal [aged 40] and Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal [aged 31]. He the son of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1325 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [aged 13] and Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [aged 9] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. The marriage was annulled in 1327; there was no issue from the marriage. He the son of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1328 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [aged 16] and Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [aged 36] and Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [aged 35]. He the son of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were double first cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Around July 1353 Peter "Cruel" I King Castile [aged 18] and Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon [aged 42] and Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon [aged 40]. He the son of Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile and Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [aged 40]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
Before 4th October 1379 John I King Castile [aged 21] and Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Peter IV King Aragon [aged 60] and Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile and Juana Manuel Queen of Castile [aged 40]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Before 17th September 1388 Henry III King Castile [aged 8] and Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile [aged 15] were married at Palencia Cathedral [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 48] and Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster [aged 34]. He the son of John I King Castile [aged 30] and Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile. They were half second cousins. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1418 John II King Castile [aged 12] and Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Castile [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Ferdinand I King Aragon and Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon [aged 44]. He the son of Henry III King Castile and Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile [aged 44]. They were first cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.
After 1445 John II King Castile [aged 39] and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Castile [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. The difference in their ages was 22 years. He the son of Henry III King Castile and Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 20th July 1454 John II King Castile [aged 49] died. His son Henry [aged 29] succeeded IV King Castile. Blanche Trastámara II Queen Navarre [aged 30] by marriage Queen Consort Castile.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1455 Henry IV King Castile [aged 29] and Joan Aviz Queen Consort Castile [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of John II King Castile and Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Castile. They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.