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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Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham was born to [her father] Robert Furnese 2nd Baronet.
In October 1708 [her father] Robert Furnese 2nd Baronet (age 21) and Anne Balam were married.
On 30th November 1712 [her grandfather] Henry Furnese 1st Baronet (age 54) died. His son [her father] Robert (age 25) succeeded 2nd Baronet Furnese of Waldershare in Kent.
On 19th March 1724 Lewis Watson 1st Earl Rockingham (age 68) died. His grandson [her future husband] Lewis (age 10) succeeded 2nd Earl Rockingham, 4th Baron Rockingham of Northampton, 4th Baronet Watson of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire. Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham by marriage Countess Rockingham.
In 1728 [her future husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 23) and Lucy Montagu Baroness Guildford were married. She the daughter of George Montagu 1st Earl Halifax (age 44) and Ricarda Posthuma Saltonstale. They were fourth cousins.
On 17th October 1729 Francis North 2nd Baron Guildford (age 55) died. His son [her future husband] Francis (age 25) succeeded 3rd Baron Guildford. Lucy Montagu Baroness Guildford by marriage Baroness Guildford.
On 7th March 1733 [her father] Robert Furnese 2nd Baronet (age 45) died. His son [her brother] Robert (age 17) succeeded 3rd Baronet Furnese of Waldershare in Kent.
On 31st October 1734 William North 6th Baron North (age 55) died in Madrid [Map]. His first cousin once removed [her future husband] Francis (age 30) succeeded 7th Baron North.
In March 1735 [her brother] Robert Furnses 3rd Baronet (age 19) died unmarried. Baronet Furnese of Waldershare in Kent extinct. His estates were shared between his three sisters [her half-sister] Anne Furnese (age 23), Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham and [her sister] Selina Furnese.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 24th January 1736 [her future husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 31) and Elizabeth Kaye Baroness North and Guildford (age 29) were married. She by marriage Baroness North, Baroness Guildford.
Before 4th November 1745 Lewis Watson 2nd Earl Rockingham (age 31) and Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham were married.
On 4th November 1745 [her husband] Lewis Watson 2nd Earl Rockingham (age 31) died without issue. His brother [her brother-in-law] Thomas (age 29) succeeded 3rd Earl Rockingham, 5th Baron Rockingham of Northampton, 5th Baronet Watson of Rockingham Castle in Northamptonshire.
On 13th June 1751 Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 47) and Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham were married. She by marriage Baroness North, Baroness Guildford.
On 8th April 1752 [her husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 47) was created 1st Earl Guildford. Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham by marriage Countess Guildford.
On 20th May 1756 [her step-son] Frederick North 2nd Earl Guildford (age 24) and Anne Speke Countess Guilford (age 16) were married. He the son of [her husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 52) and Lucy Montagu Baroness Guildford.
On 8th October 1761 John Peyto Verney 22nd Baron Latimer 14th Baron Willoughby (age 23) and [her step-daughter] Louisa North Baroness Latimer Baroness Willoughby of Broke (age 24) were married. She by marriage Baroness Latimer of Corby, Baroness Willoughby Broke. She the daughter of [her husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 57) and Elizabeth Kaye Baroness North and Guildford.
In 1770 [her step-son] Frederick North 2nd Earl Guildford (age 37) was appointed Prime Minister.
In 1771 [her step-son] Bishop Brownlow North (age 29) was appointed Bishop of Lichfield.
On 17th January 1771 [her step-son] Bishop Brownlow North (age 29) and Henrietta Maria Bannister (age 21) were married. He the son of [her husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 66) and Elizabeth Kaye Baroness North and Guildford.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In 1772 [her step-son] Frederick North 2nd Earl Guildford (age 39) was appointed 592nd Knight of the Garter by King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 33).
In 1774 [her step-son] Bishop Brownlow North (age 32) was appointed Bishop of Worcester.
On 17th December 1776 Catherine Furnese Countess Guilford and Rockingham died.
On 4th August 1790 [her former husband] Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 86) died. His son [her former step-son] Frederick (age 58) succeeded 2nd Earl Guildford, 8th Baron North, 4th Baron Guildford. Anne Speke Countess Guilford (age 50) by marriage Countess Guildford.
GrandFather: Henry Furnese 1st Baronet
Father: Robert Furnese 2nd Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Brough of St Lawrence Jewry
GrandMother: Anne Brough