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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Chirk Castle is in Chirk, Castles in Denbighshire.
The Welsh Castles and Towns of Edward I comprise a number of castles, some with associated planned towns, commissioned as a means of containing the Welsh. They included, from east to west, Flint Castle [Map], Rhuddlan [Map], Conwy Castle [Map], Beaumaris Castle [Map], Caernarfon Castle [Map], Harlech Castle [Map] and Aberystwyth Castle [Map]. Those not on the coast include Chirk Castle [Map], Denbigh Castle and Town Walls [Map] and Builth Castle [Map]. Arguably, Holt Castle [Map] and Criccieth Castle [Map] should be included.
After 1359 John de Mortimer 3rd Baron Mortimer of Chirk (deceased) died. Baron Mortimer of Chirk abeyant presumably. He had surrendered his claim to Chirk Castle [Map] in 1359 and lived in obscurity thereafter.
In 1595 Thomas Myddelton of Chirk (age 45) purchased Chirk Castle [Map] for £5000.
On 12th August 1631 Thomas Myddelton of Chirk (age 81) died. Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle (age 45) inherited Chirk Castle [Map].
Archaeologia Cambrensis 1820 Page 464. Sept. 21. "The King (age 44) passed through Mountgomeryshyre, and lay that night at Llan Fyllin. The next day, the 22d Sept., the King marched from Llan Fyllin by Brithdir, where he dined? and gave proclamation among his souldiers, that they should not plunder any thing in Denbyshire, and thence through Mochnant to Cevn hir Fynydd, and so along the tops of the mountains to Chirk Castle [Map]. The rest of the forces marched to Llan-Silin. The next day after, being Tuesday, the King advanced towards Chester.
Archaeologia Cambrensis 1820 Page 464. Sept. 24. "Being Wednesday, the King's forces were routed by the Parlm army in a place called Rowton Moor.
"From Chester the King retreated to Denbigh Castle, and, having layed there two or three nights, retourned to Chirk Castle [Map]. The next morning, viz. 29th, he advanced from thence with his army through Llan-Silin, and quartered that night in Halchdyn1 and so passed through Mountgomeryshyre towards Ludlow.
Note 1. Halchdyn is in Deuddwr, between the rivers Havren and Vyrnwy, aad near Llandrinio. The name of the place has been anglicised into Haughton.
In March 1795 Richard Myddelton (age 69) died. His son Richard Myddelton (age 31) inherited Chirk Castle [Map].
On 20th December 1796 Richard Myddelton (age 32) died unmarried. His sister Charlotte Myddelton (age 26) and her husband Robert Myddelton-Biddulph (age 35) inherited Chirk Castle [Map].
On 24th December 1801 Robert Myddelton-Biddulph (age 40) and Charlotte Myddelton (age 31) were married. She the heiress of her father Richard Myddelton and brother Richard Myddelton by which she and her husband inherited Chirk Castle [Map].
On 19th August 1843 Charlotte Myddelton (age 73) died. Her son Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph (age 38) inherted Chirk Castle [Map].
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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After 19th August 1843. St Mary's Church, Chirk [Map]. Monument to Charlotte Myddelton (deceased). She the last remaining member of the Myddelton family who married Robert Myddelton-Biddulph by which Chirk Castle [Map] came into the possession of the Biddulph family who adopted the surname Myddelton-Biddulph.
Robert Myddelton-Biddulph: In March 1761 he was born. On 20th December 1796 Richard Myddelton died unmarried. His sister Charlotte Myddelton and her husband Robert Myddelton-Biddulph inherited Chirk Castle [Map]. On 24th December 1801 he and Charlotte Myddelton were married. She the heiress of her father Richard Myddelton and brother Richard Myddelton by which she and her husband inherited Chirk Castle [Map]. On 30th August 1814 he died.
On 21st March 1872 Colonel Robert Myddelton-Biddulph (age 66) died. Richard Myddelton-Biddulph (age 35) inherited Chirk Castle [Map].
1917, reworked 1922. Augustus John (age 38). Portrait of Margherita Dorothy van Raalte Baroness Howard de Walden (age 27). Augustus John was first invited to Chirk Castle [Map] in 1912 to paint Margherita's portrait. Although she attended many sittings, the end result was in her words 'a horrible picture which, after a while, he simply painted over'.
Margherita Dorothy van Raalte Baroness Howard de Walden: In 1890 she was born. In 1912 Thomas Scott-Ellis 8th Baron Howard de Walden 4th Baron Seaford and she were married. She by marriage Baroness Howard de Walden, Baroness Seaford of Seaford in Sussex. In 1974 she died.