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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Paternal Family Tree: Shirley
Before 18th August 1720 [his uncle] Laurence Shirley (age 26) and [his mother] Anne Clarges (age 25) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Robert Shirley 1st Earl Ferrers and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Washington Baroness Ferrers Chartley.
On 18th August 1720 Laurence Shirley 4th was born to [his uncle] Laurence Shirley (age 26) and [his mother] Anne Clarges (age 25).
In 1743 [his uncle] Laurence Shirley (age 49) died.
On 6th August 1745 [his uncle] Henry Shirley 3rd Earl Ferrers (age 53) died at Kensington Gore. His nephew Laurence (age 24) succeeded 4th Earl Ferrers, 10th Baronet Shirley of Staunton Harold in Leicestershire.
In 1752 Laurence Shirley 4th (age 31) and Mary Meredith Countess Ferrers were married. She by marriage Countess Ferrers.
On 26th December 1754 [his brother] Robert Shirley 6th Earl Ferrers (age 31) and [his sister-in-law] Catherine Cotton Countess Ferrers (age 35) were married.
On 18th January 1760 Laurence Shirley 4th (age 39) shot his old family steward Johnson at Staunton Harold Hall Staunton Harold, Leicestershire. Thomas Kirkland (age 39) was called to attend the steward. He subsequently left the house covertly, brought a magistrate with armed men, and removed the wounded steward, Johnson, who soon died.
In April 1760 Laurence Shirley 4th (age 39) was tried by his peers; Thomas Kirkland (age 39) was a witness. Laurence Shirley 4th was found guilty.
On 5th May 1760 Laurence Shirley 4th (age 39) was hanged at Tyburn [Map] (the last peer to be hanged) for having shot his old family steward. Earl Ferrers, Baronet Shirley of Staunton Harold in Leicestershire forfeit.
In April 1760 Laurence Shirley 4th (age 39) was tried for murder by his peers at Westminster Hall [Map] with Attorney General Charles Pratt leading for the prosecution, found guilty and executed.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Diary of Caroline Girlie. 6th May 1760. Earl Ferrers (deceased) was carried from the Tower [Map] to Tyburn [Map] executed by a party of Horse and Foot Guards, a Clergyman and the two Sherifs were in the Coach with him he poor unhappy man was drest in his wedding suit, dating as he himself said his whole unhappy conduct from a forced marriage. He observed that the apparatus, and being made a spectacle of to so vast a multitude was greatly worse than death itself the procession was two hours & 3/4 from setting out, the Landau & six in which he was ye Sheriffs each in their Chariots one mourning Coach and a Hearse attended, and return'd thro' Lincoln's Inn Fields about one, I think I never shall forget a procession so moving, to know a man an hour before in perfect health then a Lifeless corpse, yet a just victim to his Country, for the abuse of that power his rank in Life had given him a Title too, his rank indeed caused his punishment, as the good Old King, in answer to numerous petitions of his greatly to be pitied Family made this memorable speech, "That for the last years of his Life, he had been beyond his most Sanguine hopes successful, for which he should ever return thanks to God, and on his part he had and always would endeavour to Administer justice as he ought, as Events had shown by the punishment of his most exalted Subjects". This was a noble answer. yet none could help pitying this unhappy Lord, his intellects most probably was rather more in fault than his heart in the murder for which he Suffer'd, and had he been low born his majesty would have shewn more Mercy without such strict Justice.
On 28th March 1769 Frederick Campbell (age 39) and [his former wife] Mary Meredith Countess Ferrers were married. He the son of John Campbell 4th Duke Argyll (age 76) and Mary Drummond Bellenden.
On 25th January 1807 [his former wife] Mary Meredith Countess Ferrers burned to death at Coombe Bank Sunridge, Sevenoaks.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 17 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Shirley 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Shirley 1st Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Shirley 2nd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Berkeley 7th Baron Berkeley 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Howard Baroness Berkeley 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Shirley 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Devereux Lady Shirley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Walsingham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Walsingham Countess Essex 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ursula St Barbe
GrandFather: Robert Shirley 1st Earl Ferrers 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Okeover
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Okeover Lady Shirley
Father: Laurence Shirley 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lawrence Washington
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lawrence Washington
Great x 2 Grandfather: Lawrence Washington
Great x 1 Grandfather: Laurence Washington
GrandMother: Elizabeth Washington Baroness Ferrers Chartley
Laurence Shirley 4th Earl Ferrers 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Clarges
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Clarges
GrandFather: Walter Clarges 1st Baronet
Mother: Anne Clarges