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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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William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry 1637-1695

Paternal Family Tree: Douglas

Before 4th June 1630 [his father] James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry [aged 8] and Mary Hamilton were married. She the daughter of James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton and Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton [aged 45]. He the son of [his grandfather] William Douglas 1st Earl Queensberry [aged 48] and [his grandmother] Isabel Kerr Countess Queensberry. They were half fourth cousins.

On 26th March 1635 [his father] James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry [aged 13] and [his mother] Margaret Stewart Countess Queensberry were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] John Stewart 1st Earl Traquair [aged 35] and [his grandmother] Catherine Carnegie Countess Traquair [aged 35]. He the son of William Douglas 1st Earl Queensberry [aged 53] and Isabel Kerr Countess Queensberry. They were third cousin once removed.

In 1637 William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry was born to James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry [aged 14] and Margaret Stewart Countess Queensberry.

On 29th April 1656 [his future brother-in-law] William Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton [aged 21] and Anne Hamilton 3rd Duchess Hamilton [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Countess Selkirk. He by marriage Duke Hamilton. She the daughter of James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton and Margaret aka Mary Feilding. He the son of [his future father-in-law] William Douglas 1st Marquess Douglas [aged 67] and [his future mother-in-law] Mary Gordon Marchioness Douglas [aged 56]. They were third cousins.

In 1657 William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry [aged 20] and Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry [aged 14] were married. She the daughter of William Douglas 1st Marquess Douglas [aged 68] and Mary Gordon Marchioness Douglas [aged 57]. He the son of James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry [aged 34] and Margaret Stewart Countess Queensberry. They were fourth cousins.

On 18th December 1662 [his son] James Douglas 2nd Duke Queensberry was born to William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry [aged 25] and [his wife] Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry [aged 20]. He married before 1696 Mary Boyle Duchess Queensbury, daughter of Charles Boyle 3rd Baron Clifford and Jane Seymour, and had issue.

On 25th March 1669 Robert Maxwell 4th Earl Nithsdale [aged 41] and [his sister-in-law] Lucy Douglas Countess Nithsdale [aged 25] were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] William Douglas 1st Marquess Douglas and [his mother-in-law] Mary Gordon Marchioness Douglas [aged 69]. He the son of John Maxwell 3rd Earl Nithsdale [aged 64]. They were fourth cousins.

Before 1670 [his brother-in-law] Alexander Stewart 3rd Earl Galloway and [his sister] Mary Douglas Countess Galloway were married. She the daughter of [his father] James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry [aged 47] and [his mother] Margaret Stewart Countess Queensberry. He the son of James Stewart 2nd Earl Galloway [aged 59].

In April 1670 [his son] William Douglas 1st Earl March was born to William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry [aged 33] and [his wife] Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry [aged 28]. He married before 1st August 1696 his fourth cousin Jean Hay Countess March, daughter of John Hay 1st Marquess Tweeddale and Jean Scott Marchioness Tweddale, and had issue.

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Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

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.

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In 1671 [his father] James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry [aged 48] died.

On 21st September 1676 Robert Grierson 1st Baronet [aged 21] and Henrietta Douglas Lady Grierson [aged 19] were married at Drumlanrig Castle [Map] or Sanquhar Castle [Map]. She the sister of William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry [aged 39]. She the daughter of James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry and Margaret Stewart Countess Queensberry.

On 3rd November 1684 William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry [aged 47] was created 1st Duke Queensberry. [his wife] Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry [aged 42] by marriage Countess Queensberry.

John Evelyn's Diary. 10th May 1685. The Scots valueing themselves exceedingly to have ben ye first Parliament call'd by his Ma* [aged 51], gave the Excise and Costomes to him and his successors for ever; yfc D. of Queensberry [aged 48] making eloquent speeches, and especialy minding them of a speedy suppression of those late despe rate Field-Conventiclers who had done such unheard-of assassinations. In the meane time elections for the ensueing Parliament in England were thought to be very indirectly carried on in most places. God grant a better issue of it than some expect!

In or before 1687 [his brother-in-law] George Douglas 1st Earl Dumbarton [aged 51] and Anne Wheatley were married. He the son of [his father-in-law] William Douglas 1st Marquess Douglas and [his mother-in-law] Mary Gordon Marchioness Douglas.

On 2nd December 1691 [his wife] Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry [aged 49] died.

Around 1694 [his nephew] James Stewart 5th Earl Galloway [aged 23] and Catherine Montgomerie Countess Galloway were married. She by marriage Countess Galloway. She the daughter of Alexander Montgomerie 9th Earl Eglinton [aged 34] and Margaret Cochrane. He the son of [his former brother-in-law] Alexander Stewart 3rd Earl Galloway and [his sister] Mary Douglas Countess Galloway. They were fifth cousin once removed.

In 1695 William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry [aged 58] died. His son James [aged 32] succeeded 2nd Duke Queensberry.

[his daughter] Anne Douglas was born to William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry and Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry. She married 13th August 1697 her third cousin once removed David Wemyss 4th Earl of Wemyss, son of James Wemyss 1st Lord Burntisland and Margaret Wemyss Countess Cromartie 3rd Countess Wemyss, and had issue.

[his son] William Douglas was born to William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry and Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry.

[his son] George Douglas was born to William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry and Isabel Douglas Countess Queensberry.

Royal Ancestors of William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry 1637-1695

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 4 Grand Son of King James IV of Scotland

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Philip IV of France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Kings Spain: Great x 15 Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon

Ancestors of William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry 1637-1695

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Douglas 6th Lord Drumlanrig 13 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Douglas 14 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gordon Lady Drumlanrig

Great x 2 Grandfather: William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig 15 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montgomerie

Great x 3 Grandmother: Christian Montgomerie

Great x 1 Grandfather: James Douglas 8th Lord Drumlanrig 16 x Great Grandson of King David I of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: James Gordon

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Gordon Lady Drumlanrig

Grandfather: William Douglas 1st Earl Queensberry 2 x Great Grandson of King James IV of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fleming 2nd Lord Fleming 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eupheme Drummond

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fleming 5th Lord Fleming Grandson of King James IV of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: King James IV of Scotland son of King James III of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Stewart Lady Fleming daughter of King James IV of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isobel Stewart 3 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Fleming Lady Drumlanrig Great Granddaughter of King James IV of Scotland

Father: James Douglas 2nd Earl Queensberry 3 x Great Grandson of King James IV of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Kerr of Calverton 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Andrew Kerr of Cessford 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandfather: Mark Kerr 5 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Crichton 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Crichton 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marion Margaret Maxwell 11 x Great Granddaughter of King David I of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandfather: Mark Kerr 1st Earl Lothian 6 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Leslie 4th Earl Rothes

Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen Leslie

Grandmother: Isabel Kerr Countess Queensberry 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert III of Scotland

William Douglas 1st Duke Queensberry 4 x Great Grandson of King James IV of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Stewart 1st Lord of Traquair 3 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Stewart 2nd Lord Traquair 4 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: James Stewart 6th of Traquair 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hay 2nd Lord Hay of Yester 2 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Christian Hay 3 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Crichton 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Stewart of Traquair 5 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Kerr of Ferniehirst

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Kerr 10th of Ferniehirst

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Kerr 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Kerr of Cessford 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Ker 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Crichton 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland

Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Traquair 4 x Great Grandson of King James II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Andrew Stewart 2nd Lord Avondale 1st Lord Ochiltree 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Kennedy Lady Avondale 2 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert III of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandfather: Andrew Stewart 2nd Lord Ochiltree 2 x Great Grandson of King James II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Hamilton 1st Earl Arran Grandson of King James II of Scotland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Hamilton Lady Avondale Lady Ochiltree Great Granddaughter of King James II of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrix Drummond

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Stewart 3 x Great Granddaughter of King James II of Scotland

Great x 2 Grandmother: Agnes Cunningham Lady Ochiltree

Mother: Margaret Stewart Countess Queensberry 5 x Great Granddaughter of King James II of Scotland