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 Gregory 1431

Chronicle of Gregory 1431 is in Chronicle of Gregory.

1431 Execution of Joan of Arc

1431 French Coronation of Henry VI

19th May 1431. Ande that year there was on namyd him selfe Jacke Sharpe that wolde have made a rysynge in the cytte of London, for he wolde have take out the temperalteys of Hooly Chyrche; but the xix day of May he was take at Oxforde and v moo of secte, and whythe yn fewe dayes he was drawyd, hangyde, and quarteryde, and his hede sete on London Brygge, and his quarterys i-sent to dyvers townys of Ingelonde, as to Oxforde, Abyngdon, and to moo othyr. And some of his h felowys were takyn at Govyntre, and there they were drawe, hangyd, and quarteryd; and a woman was be-heddyd at the galous.

Execution of Joan of Arc

23 May 1431. Ande the xxiij day of May the Pusylle [aged 19] was brent at Rone [Map], and that was a pon Corpus Crysty evyn. [Note. The date here one week out; should be 30th May 1431]

23rd July 1431. And the xxiij day of Julyy there was one Kusselle i-drawe, hanggyd, and quarteryde, and his hedde was sette on Londyn Brygge, and his quarterys in dyvers placys in London; for he wolde have made newe lordys, dukys, erlys, and baronys, aftyr his entente & his oppynyon, &c.

17th July 1431. Ande the same year, in the monythe of Juylle, the xvij day, the posterne be-syde the Towre [Map] sanke downe into the erthe vij [7] fote and more.

11th August 1431. And the same year, the xj day of Auguste, the Earl of Warwyke [aged 49], the Earl of Stafforde [aged 28], slowe and toke a grete nombyr of pepylle be-syde Bevys; and ther was take on Potyn and a scheparde that was namyd le Bergere, and he namyd him sylfe hooly and a saynte, for the Fraynysche men hadde a be-leve on him that yf he hadde layde his honde on a castelle walle that it shulde have fallyn downe by the power of his holynys.

3rd December 1431. Ande that year the kyng [aged 9] passyde the see in to Fraunce, and wente unto Parysse [Map]; and he come thedyr the thyrde day of Decembyr.

French Coronation of Henry VI

13th December 1431. And the xiij day of the same monythe he was crownyde at Parysse; for there he was worthely and ryally ressayvyd as they cowthe devyse whythe alle the statys of the towne. And there he hylde his feste raylly to alle maner of nacyons that were in that contre, that yf it plesyde them thedyr for to come. And in Syn Johnys day in the Crystysmasse weke the King remevyd towarde Roone [Map], and on the xij evyn he come unto Calys. Ande the xxix day of Janyver he londyd at Dovyr [Map].