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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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Chronicle of Battle Abbey is in Late Medieval Books.
In the year of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 1135, not long after the death of the noble King Henry, Stephen, count of Boulogne, his nephew, succeeded to the kingdom of England — his claims having the support of some of the chief men of the realm. He was anointed and crowned at Westminster, on the 11th of the calends of January [22nd December 1135], by William, archbishop of Canterbury. As soon as he was settled in the kingdom, there arose some deadly broils (of which however this is not the proper time to speak), and the nobles disagreed among themselves. When public affairs were at length set in order, the venerable abbot Warner, among others, was found, by some slight offence, to have incurred the royal displeasure, and certain other complaints having arisen, he thought it better to yield to circumstances. Not long afterwards therefore, before Christmas, being at Westminster, and taking the advice of certain persons (particularly that of Aubrey, the Pope's legate, then in England), he voluntarily resigned his abbacy, in the fourteenth year of his government. And thus, having only himself to care for, he retired to S. Pancras, a monastery greatly renowned for piety, lying near the castle of Lewes, where he remained in the exercise of religion until the day of his death.146
Note 146. It is pretty certain from this account, that the abbot's offence was, his adherence to the cause of Maud, against the usurpation of Stephen.