Text this colour is a link for Members only. Support us by becoming a Member for only £3 a month by joining our 'Buy Me A Coffee page'; Membership gives you access to all content and removes ads.

Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.



All About History Books

The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 08 Apr 1554

Wriothesley's Chronicle 08 Apr 1554 is in Wriothesley's Chronicle 1554.

1554 Wyatt's Rebellion

1554 Marriage of Queen Mary with Philip II of Spain

1554 Creation of Garter Knights

8th April 1544. Sunday the 8 of Aprill was a villanouse fact done in Cheapeb earlie or daye. A dead catt havinge a clothe lyke a vestment of the priest at masse with a crosse on it afore, and another behinde put on it; the crowne of the catt shome, a peece of paper lyke a singinge cake putt bctwene the forefeete of the said catt bownd together, which catt was hanged on the post of the gallowes in Cheape beyond the Crosse in the parishe of St. Mathewe, and a bottle hanged by it; which catt was taken downe at vi of the clock in the mominge and caried to the Bishop of London, and he caussed it to be shewed openlye in the sermon tyme at Paules Crosse in the sight of all the audience there present.

The Lord Mayre, with his bretheren the alldermen of the Cittic of London, caused a proclamation to be made that afternoone that whosoever could utter or shewe the auctor of the sayde fact should haue vi 1. xiii s. iv d. for his paynes, and a better rewarde, with hartie thancks. But at that tyme, after much enquirie and searche made, it could not be knowne, but diverse persons were had to prison for suspicions of it.

Note b. This is mentioned by Stow and several other chroniclers.

Wyatt's Rebellion

11th April 1554. The xi of Aprill Sir Tho. Wyatt (age 33), cheefe capteyne of the late Wyatt putt to death, rebellion in Kent, was beheaded at Towrehill [Map], at ix of the clock in the foorenoone, and his bodie after quartered on the scaffolde. His head was sett on the gallowes at the parke pale beyond St. James,a where Pollard and two other were hanged in chaynes. And his 4 quarters were hanged on gibbetts in chaynes at 4 severall places without the Liberties of the Cittie.

Note a. The Grey Friars' Chronicle (p. 89) adds: "and the hed with the qwarter was stolne awaye."

17th April 1554. The xvii of Aprill Sir Nicolas Trockmorton (age 39) was arreigned at the Guildhall of treason, and was quitt by a jurie of the citizens of London, which jurie after their verditt given were bownd in vc l. [£500] a peece, to appeare in the Starre Chamber afore the Queens Counsoell at all tymes when they shal be commanded.

25th April 1554. The 25 of Aprill the jurie that quitt Sir Nicholas Throckmorton appeared before the Lord Chauncellor and the Queens Councell in the Starre Chamber at Westminster and were committed to warde. Thomas Whetstone, haberdasher, which was the foreman of the jurie, and Emanuell Lucare, marchant taylor, were sent to the Tower of London [Map], and all the rest of the jurie were sent to the Fleete [Map].

Wyatt's Rebellion

27th April 1554. Frydaye the 27 of Aprill Lord Thomas Grey, brother to the Duke of Suffolke, was beheaded at the Tower hill [Map].

29th April 1554. The 29 of Aprill Sir James Croft (age 36), knight, was arrayned in the Guildhall [Map] of treason, and there by a jurie of the citizens of London condemned and had judgment of death.

5th May 1554. Saterdaye 5 Maii the Parliment brake up and was quite dissolved.

7th May 1554. Monday 7 Maii the parishe clerkes of London kept the procession agayne after the olde use, goeinge from the Guyldhall chappell in riche copes of clothe of goulde with longe streamers and banners and three riche crosses borne afore them, and the sacrament of the aulter borne under a riche canopie after them.

9th May 1554. The ixth of May William Thomas, esquier,a was arreigned at the Guyldehall of highe treason for oons[p]iracie of the Queenes death, and there by a iurie of the citizens of London condemned and had his iudgment to dye.

Note a. "late Clerk of the Conncil" Machyn, p. 63. His works, consisting of a very curious and circumstantial accoant of the reign of Henry VIII. and the origin of the Reformation, together with six essays on questions of state, written at the command and for the information of Edward VI. have heen edited by D'Aubant from the Cotton. MS.

11th May 1554. The xith of May King Henry the VIIth anniversarie was kept at Westminster agayne, accordinge to his last will and testament. The Lord Mayre and the sheriffs with the Lordes of the Councell beinge then present at the masse and offered, which anniversarie had bene putt downe longe, and now renued by the Queene.

18th May 1554. Fridaye the xviiith of May William Thomas was drawne from the Tower of London [Map] to Tiburne [Map], and there hanged, headed, and quartered, and after his head sett on London Bridge [Map], and his quarters sett in 4 severall places, one myle out of the Cittie of London.

19th May 1554. The xixth of May, beinge Saterday and the eeven of the feast of the Holie Trinitie, Ladye Elizabeth (age 20) was had out of the Tower [Map] and went thorowe London Bridge in her barge at 3 of the clock in the afternoone, lyeinge at Richmond [Map] that night; and from thence conveyed to Woodstock [Map], Mr. Benyfield (age 45)b, Lorde Williams of Tame, and Sir Leonard Chamberlayne, waytinge on her, with iic horsemen, there to remayne at the Queenes pleasure.

Note b. Sir Henry Bedingfield, the recently appointed Constable of the Tower.

All About History Books

The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

25th May 1544. Frydaye 25 Maii Sir Edward Courtney, Earle of Devonshire (age 17), was had out of the Tower [Map] at 3 of the clock in the morninge, Mr. Chamberlayne of Suffolke and Sir Tho. Tresham, knights, ridinge with him, with certeyne of the Queens garde and others, to Fodringay Castle [Map] in Northamptonshire, and he there to remayne under theyr custodie at the Queens pleasure.

This moneth allso divers persons both men and weomen were sett on the pillorie in Cheape for slaunderouse and seditiouse wordes speakinge against the Queene (age 28) and her Councell and had their eares nayled to the pillorie [Map].

10th June 1554. The xth of June, beinge Sundaye, an handgun was shott of neare to Paules Churchyeard [Map] in the sermon tyme, the pellett hittinge the churche wall next where the Lord Mayre satt and after fell on a mans shoulder, and taken up and delyvered to the Lord Mayre; and after the sermon was done, searche was made all about the precinct of Paules in everie howse, but no knowledge could be fownd but that a gonne was shott in Foster Lane neare St. Fausters Churche. But the partie that shott it (by reporte) fleed, and within vi dayes after was taken and examined afore the Lord Mayre and sent to prison, and divers witnesse allso examined for the same, which agreed not one with another, and the partie allso himselfe denieinge that he shott anye, nor no gun could be founde in the howsse that the reporte was spoken where it should be shott. So that after x or xii dayes imprisonment he was bayled upon suerties, and bound to be forthcomminge at all tymes when he should be sent for; and so was discharged out of warde.

11th June 1554. The xith of June Lord John Grey (age 30)b, one of the bretheren Duke of Suffolke late putt to death, was arreigned at Westminster in the Kings Benche of treason, and there condemned to dye.

Note b. Lord Thomas Grey. See Chronicle of Qeen Jane and Queen Mary, p. 75.

15th July 1554. The 15 of Julie, beinge Sundaye, one Elizabeth Crofte, a yonge mayden, stood at Paules Crosse [Map] on a litle scaffolde neare the preacher, which was taken in Aldersgate Streete in Aprill last past, called the wbyte byrde, or the byrde that spake in the walla. Her confession was readd by the precher openlye, which declared that one Drakes, a servant of Sir Anthony Nevillsb, which gaue her a whistle, and by theyr develish pretence feyned her to speake divers thinges of the Queen and Prince of Spayne, of the masse and confession; as that one Myles, clerk of St. Butolphes in Aldersgate Street, and a player, and one Hyll, a weaverc in Reddcrosse Streete, declared to the peopled, which caused great assemblie of people to drawe thither, which there openlye lamented in the presence of all the people. After her confession read she kneeled downe, and asked God forgivenes, and the Queens Maiestie, desyringe the people to praye for her, and to beware of heresies. The sermon done she went to prison agayne in Bred Street, where she had bene a litle tyme, but afore that she was in Newgate [Map]. And after Dr. Scorye resorted to her divers tymes to examin her; and after this she was released.

Note a. "called the Spirit in the Wall."- Stow.

Note b. "John Drake, Sir Antony Knevett's servant." - Diary of a Resident in London, p. 66; but Stow agrees with the text.

Note c. Stow reads: "a player, a weaver, Hill, clerk of St. Leonard's in Foster Lane, and others confederate with her."

20th July 1554. Fryday the xxth of Julie tydinges came to the Lord Mayre payne that the Prince of Spayne (age 27) was come into Englande, and landed at Southampton, Hampshire [Map] this daye, and came with viiixx sayle of Spanish shippes well appoynted, beside the navie of Flaunders and the Queens navie, which were to the number of lx [60] shippes and more, Lord Wm. Howarde, Lord Admirall of England (age 44), conductinge them, after they came into the costes of Englande.

Marriage of Queen Mary with Philip II of Spain

21st July 1554. The xxith of Julie proclamation was made in London that all noblemen, gentlemen, ladies, and other should repayre to the Cittie of Winchester, Hampshire [Map], there to doe their attendance at her graces marriage accordinge as they are appoynted. And that night were bonefyers made in everie parishe within the Cittie of London, with all the bells ringinge in everye parishe churche for the ioyfull tydinges of the Princes landinge in safetie.

23rd July 1554. The 23 of Julie the Prince of Spayne (age 27) came to Winchesterd about vi of the clock at night, accompanied with noblemen as well of England as of his owne countriea, with trumpetts blowinge and bells ringinge, and came to the Cathedrall [Map] churche, where he alighted. And there the Bishop of Winchester, Lord Chauncellor (age 71), with 4 bishops more, with the priests, singinge-men, and children, receaved him with procession in riche copes and with iii crosses up into the quiere, where was a riche traves richlye hanged for him; and there he kneeled downe before the sacrament; and then the Lord Chauncellor began Te Deum, the organs playinge and the quier singinge the rest. This done he was brought out with torche light to his lodginge throughe the cloyster to the Deanes howsse, all the Queens garde standinge in their riche cotes all the waye. He was apparelled in a riche cote richlie imbroydered with goulde, and an hatt much like the same with a feather in it. The same night after he had supped, which was about x of the clock, certeyne of the Councell brought him to the Queen (age 38) by a secrett waye, where she receaved him right lovinglye and kissed him, and after halfe an howre they tooke their leave, eche kissinge the other, and so departed that night to his lodginge.

Note d. Philip lingered a few days at Southampton, where he disembarked, as if in order to ascertain the humour of the nation, as one of his ambassadors, the Count of Egmont (age 31), had been recently violently assaulted by the populace, who mistook him for his master.

Note a. He came well attended with a bodyguard and troops.

The 24 of Julie [1554], aboute 3 of the clock in the afternoone, he came from his lodginge on foote, the Lord Steward, the Earle of Darbie (age 45), the Earle of Pembrooke (age 53), and divers other lordes and gentlemen, both Englishe and Spanishe, goeinge afore him to the Courte, where everie bodye might see him, and so was brought up into the hall where the Queene (age 38) was standinge upon a skaffold richelye hanged, she meetinge him halfe waye, receivinge him, and kissinge him in the presence of all the peopleb. And then she tooke him by the hand, she goeinge on his right hand out of the hall in her great chamber of presence. And there in the presence of all the lordes and ladies they stoode a quarter of an hower under the clothe of estate talkiuge together; and then after a while he toke his leave of her Grace and came forthe into the open cowrte, where all the pentioners stood in araye and the garde all alonge on both sides the waye in theyr riche cotes to the Court gates; and from thence the lords brought him to the Cathedrall churche to evensonge, and after to his loginge agayne.

The same night, about 12 of the clock, the Emperor (age 54) sent a message to the Queen, declaringe to her that his sonne which should marrie with her was not then a Prince onelye but a Kinge; and that he was Kinge of Naples and Jerusalem before the marriage, and so did send his writings of the same under his great seale.

Note b. Mary took no pains to conceal her impatience, being enabled in her conscience to plead her anxiety for a legitimate Roman Catholic succession, as the only means of securing the faith in England.

All About History Books

The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

The 25 of Julie [1554], beinge Weddensdaye and St. James dayea, about xi of the clocke the Kinge (age 27) and Queene (age 38) came from their lodgings towardes the churche all the way on foote, verie richelye apparelled in gownes of cloth of golde sett with riche stones, he with his gentle-men and garde and she with hers, eche of them havinge a sworde borne before them, the Earle of Darbye (age 45) bearinge the sworde before her Maiestie, and the Earle of Pembroke (age 53) before the Kinge; and when they were come into the churche he went into one traveys and the Queen to another richlye hunge, where they were shriven. This done they came forth of their traveys to the place appoynted for the marriage, where the Lord Chauncellor (age 71), beinge before with 5 other bishops assistinge him, used all thinges, both in the banes-byddinge and otherwise, as hath bene in all marriages of olde tyme, and spake it both in Latin and in Englishe, her Grace on the right syde standinge and the King on the left syde. Her marriage ringe was a rownd hoope of gould without anye stone, which was her desire, for she sayde she would be married as maydens were in the olde tyme, and so she was.

After the marriage knott thus knitt the King and Queen came hand in hand under a riche canopie, beinge borne over them with 6 knightes and 2 swordes before them, all the lordes both Englishe and strangers richelye apparelled goeinge afore them, the trumpetts then blowinge tyll they came into the quier, where all the priestes and singinge men all in riche copes began to singe a psalme used in marriages, the King and Queen kneelinge awhile before the aulter, eche of them havinge a taper afore them; then after her Majestic went into her traveys on the right syde, and the King into another on the left syde; after the gospell they came owt and kneeled before the alter openlye all the masse tyme, and the care-cloth was holden ouer them; and he kissed the bishopp at the Agnus and then her Majestie. The masse done the Kinge of Herroldes openlye in the churche, and in presence of the King, the Queen, the lordes and ladies, and all the people, solemnlye proclay'med their Maiesties Kinge and Queene, with their title and style, in manner as followeth:

Philippe and Marie, by the grace of God Kinge and Queene of The Kinge and Englande, France, Naples, Jerusalem, and Irelande, Defenders of the Faythe, Princes of Spayne and Sicilie, Archdukes of Austriche, Dukes of Mylane, Burgundye, and Brabant, Countes of Aspurge,b Flaunders, and Tyrrole. Which proclamation ended, the trumpetts blue and other noyses playde. And then the Kinge and Queene came furthe hand in hand, with their lordes, ladies, and gentlemen way tinge on them, and 2 swordes borne afore them in manner aforesayde; and so went on foote to the courte, and there dined openlye in the hall, both together at one table.

Note a. The feast of St. James, the titular saint of Spain.

Note b. Haspurgi, Hapsburg.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

1554 Creation of Garter Knights

5th August 1554. Sundaye 5 August the King (age 27) was stalled in Windsore of the noble order of the Garter, and there kept St. George's feast in his royall estate himselfe; where was kept a great feast. And the Earle of Sussex (age 47) was made knight of the Garter at that tyme allso.

7th August 1554. The 7 of August was a general huntinge at Wyndsore forest where was made a great toyle of 4 or 5 myles longe.

11th August 1554. The 11 of August the King (age 27) and Queen (age 38) removed to Richmond [Map].

17th August 1554. The 17 of Augusta the King (age 27) and Queen (age 38) came by water from Richmond in the after noone, and landed at my Lord Chancellors stayers in St. Marye Overies, and there had a banquett in the Lord Chauncellors (age 71) howsse [Map], and then passed throughe the parke to the howse at St. Georges, of which Sir John Gage, Lord Chamberlayne to the Queene (age 74), had the keepinge, and there lay that night and dyned there the next daye.

Note a. The authorities differ widely as to this date. The Grey Friars' Chronicle (p. 91 ) says: "They came not unto London tyll it was the 18th day of Angnst, and then came hothe unto the place in Sothwarke, and lay there that nyght, and the 19th day came into London." And Stow (p. 625): "The 11 of August, the King and Queene remooued to Richmond, from thence by water to Southwarke, &c. And the next day, heing the 12 of August, they rode through Southwarke oner the bridge, and so through London, &c." While Baker's Chronicle reads: "The eleventh of August they remoued to Richmond, the seven-and-twentieth to Suffolk Place in Southwark, and the next day to London," &c. (p. 342).

18th August 1554. Saterdaye the 18 of August, in the after-noone, the King (age 27) and Queenes (age 38) Majesties rode throughe Sowthwerke, over the bridge [Map], and so throughe London; where they were with great provision receaved of the citizens, pageants in places accustomed, the crosse in Cheape [Map] new gilte, &c.

Memorandum: In the moneth of September the Duke of Norfolke (age 81) died at Framlingham [Map] in Norfolke, and there was honorablye buried [Map] amongst his auncestors.

Allso this moneth the Bishop of London (age 54) visited all his dioces, and had sermons in everie parishe and place where he satt, and sett owt divers goodlye articles in print for the true religion.

Allso he commaunded that the feast of everie saynte that was patrone of the churche, called Festum loci in everie parishe, should be kept holiedaye in everie parishe throughe his diocesse as a principall feast used in olde tyme, after the custome of the churche.

30th September 1554. Sunday the xxxth of Septembre 1554 Dr. Steven Gardiner (age 71), Bishop of Winton [Winchester] and Lord Chauncellor of England, preached at Paules Crosse [Map], divers Lordes of the Queens Councell beinge present at his sermon, and goeinge afterward to dynner to the Lord Mayres howsse.

The first Sundaye after Michaellmas daye was kept the dedication of the churche throughe all England, accordinge to the olde costome.

18th October 1554. The 18 of Octobre, beinge the day of St. Luke, the Kinge (age 27) rode from his pallace of Whitehall to Paules Church [Map] in the forenoone, and there heard masse, which was sunge by the Spaniards of his owne quier.

26th October 1554. Frydaye the 26 of October there was a Spaniarde hanged at Charinge Crosse [Map], which had shamefullie slayne an Englishe man, servant to Sir George Gifforde (age 59). There would have bene given vc [500] crownes of the straungers to have saved his life.