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Chronicle of the Abbey of Evesham

The Chronicle of the Abbey of Evesham is a remarkable medieval history of one of England’s great Benedictine monasteries. Beginning with the abbey’s legendary and royal foundations, it traces the fortunes of Evesham through centuries of religious devotion, political conflict, legal struggle, rebuilding, reform, and royal patronage. At the heart of the chronicle is the abbey’s determination to defend its ancient liberties. Its monks record disputes with bishops, appeals to popes and papal legates, contested elections of abbots, lawsuits over lands and privileges, and the long struggle to preserve Evesham’s exemption from episcopal control. Alongside these institutional battles are vivid accounts of saints and miracles, including St Ecgwine, St Odulf and the royal martyr St Wistan, whose relics and cult formed an important part of the abbey’s identity. The chronicle also preserves a wealth of detail about everyday monastic life. It describes the building and repair of churches, cloisters, chapels, halls, mills, granges and fishponds; the acquisition of estates and revenues; the making of vestments, shrines, bells and liturgical books; and the provision of food, clothing, recreation and medical care for the monks. Successive abbots emerge not merely as religious superiors but as administrators, builders, patrons, diplomats and defenders of the community. Extending into the later Middle Ages, the narrative reflects the changing political world around Evesham, from the Norman Conquest and the Angevin kings to the Wars of the Roses and the reign of Henry VIII. The result is both a history of a single monastery and a richly detailed record of medieval English religious, legal, economic and political life. This edition offers modern readers direct access to one of the most important monastic chronicles of medieval England, revealing how the monks of Evesham understood their saints, their privileges, their rulers and their place in history.

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John Evelyn of Wiltshire 1601-1685

Paternal Family Tree: Evelyn

John Evelyn of Wiltshire and Elizabeth Coxe were married.

On 11th August 1601 John Evelyn of Wiltshire was born to George Evelyn of West Dean [aged 19].

In 1642 [his daughter] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton was born to John Evelyn of Wiltshire [aged 40] and Elizabeth Coxe. She married 1. before 26th September 1662 John Wray 3rd Baronet, son of John Wray 2nd Baronet and Grisilla Bethell Lady Glentworth, and had issue 2. 1665 Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe, son of Thomas Fanshawe 1st Viscount Fanshawe and Elizabeth Cockayne Viscountess Fanshawe, and had issue 3. after 1674 George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton, son of Nicholas Saunderson 2nd Viscount Castleton and Frances Manners.

John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd July 1649. I went from Wotton, Surrey [Map] to Godstone, Surrey (the residence of [his uncle] Sir John Evelyn [aged 58]), where was also Sir John Evelyn of Wilts. [aged 47], when I took leave of both Sir Johns and their ladies. Mem. the prodigious memory of Sir John of Wilts' [his daughter] daughter, since married to Mr. W. Pierrepont [Note. Mr R Pierrepoint], and mother of the present [his grandson] Earl of Kingston. I returned to Sayes Court, Deptford [Map] this night.

Before 26th September 1662 [his son-in-law] John Wray 3rd Baronet [aged 43] and [his daughter] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Lady Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire. The difference in their ages was 22 years.

In 1664 [his father] George Evelyn of West Dean [aged 82] died.

Around 1665 [his son-in-law] Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe [aged 33] and [his daughter] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton [aged 23] were married.

After 1674 [his son-in-law] George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton [aged 42] and [his daughter] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton [aged 32] were married. His second wife, her third husband. She by marriage Viscountess Castleton.

On 26th June 1685 John Evelyn of Wiltshire [aged 83] died. He left his daughter Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton [aged 43] only five shillings in his will since he disapproved of her marriage with George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton [aged 53].

John Evelyn's Diary. 6th June 1687. I visited my Lady Pierpoint, daughter to Sir John Evelyn, of Deane [in Wilts], now widow of Mr. Pierpoint, and mother of the Earl of Kingston. She was now engaged in the marriage of my cousin, Evelyn Pierpoint [aged 32], her second son.

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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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John Evelyn's Diary. 1st January 1699. My cousin Pierrepoint died. She was daughter to Sir John Evelyn, of Wilts, my father's nephew; she was widow to William Pierrepoint, brother to the Marquis of Dorchester, and mother to Evelyn Pierrepoint, Earl of Kingston [aged 44]; a most excellent and prudent lady.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Evelyn was born to John Evelyn of Wiltshire and Elizabeth Coxe. She married Robert Pierrepont and had issue.

Royal Descendants of John Evelyn of Wiltshire 1601-1685
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [1]

Ancestors of John Evelyn of Wiltshire 1601-1685

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Kingston

Great x 1 Grandfather: George Evelyn of Long Ditton

Grandfather: John Evelyn of Godstone

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Williams

Great x 1 Grandmother: Rose Williams

Father: George Evelyn of West Dean

John Evelyn of Wiltshire