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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1774 Elizabeth Farren [aged 15] was acting with her mother and sisters at Wakefield under Tate Wilkinson's opponent, Whiteley, when she played Columbine and sang.
On 23rd June 1774 [her future husband] Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 21] and Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Derby [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of James Hamilton 6th Duke Hamilton 3rd Duke Brandon and Elizabeth Gunning Duchess Hamilton and Argyll [aged 40].
Around 1775 Elizabeth Farren [aged 16] playedin Liverpool Rosetta in Love in a Village and subsequently her best known role of Lady Townly in The Provoked Husband by Colley Cibber.
On 22nd February 1776 Edward Stanley 11th Earl of Derby [aged 86] died. His grandson [her future husband] Edward [aged 23] succeeded 12th Earl Derby, 6th Baronet Stanley of Bickerstaffe. Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Derby [aged 23] by marriage Countess Derby.
Random Records by George Colman. Miss Farren [aged 18], then in her teens, made her debut as Miss Hardcastle, in Goldsmith's Comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer," — as appears by Mr. Winston's note. She conquer'd so much subsequently, in the superior walk of Comedy, that she might have stoop'd in resuming this character, although it is worthy the acceptance of an actress of great ability: — she came most opportunely to prevent a chasm, which would have been greatly lamented; and to personate modern females of fashion, when the retirement of the Abington, with the vielle cour, was approaching. -To dilate, upon the history of the lovely and accomplish' d Miss Farren, would be very superfluous; — no person ever has more successfully performed the elegant levities of Lady Townly, upon the Stage, or more happily practised the amiable virtues of Lady Grace, in the highest circles of Society1.
Note 1. Alas! I have now (May, 1829) to record that The Countess of Derby is no more! — She died since the above was written.
In 1777 Elizabeth Farren [aged 18] first appeared on the London stage as Miss Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer and the following year appeared at Drury Lane which, along with the Haymarket Theatre became her primary venues for the rest of her acting career.
Random Records by George Colman. Notes to the foregoing list, by Mr. Winston.
The Theatre open 'd with the Comedy of the English Merchant, and Lilliput, on the 15th May; — closed till the 28th, and then perform'd 3 nights a week, till the 11th June.
9th June [1777]. Miss Farren [aged 18] first appeard in London, in the Character of Miss Hardcastle, in the Comedy of "She Stoops to Conquer."
11th June. Mr. Henderson (from Bath) first appear'd in London, in the Character of Shylock.
Mr. Foote acted 11th July, 25th and 30th, only; — was to perform again, but was prevented by illness.
Mr. Digges made his first appearance in London, in the Character of Cato, — (August 14) — which he perform'd twice; — next, Cardinal Wolsey, twice; Sir John Brute, twice; and repeated Sir John Brute, for a Benefit on the 18th of Sept. after the close of the regular season.
Random Records by George Colman. Miss Farren [aged 18] took her Benefit after the close of the season, — on the 16th September [1777].
During the Season, Miss Barsanti was married to Mr. Lesley; she was afterwards Mrs. Daly.
Random Records by George Colman. 1778. The only new Dramas worth notice, produced during this summer, at the Hay-Market Theatre, were, "The Manager in Distress," "Fire and Water," "The Chapter of Accidents," and "The Genius of Nonsense." These Pieces I shall mention again presently; but first let me observe that, this being the fourth season of my father's summer speculation, the theatre had, in the course of that time, been improved in its accommodation and internal appearance, arid its histrionick company much ameliorated. — Henderson, indeed, did not renew his engagement after the first season; and Parsons had seceded, this year, although he returned in 1782; but three towers of strength, — Palmer, Edwin, and Miss Farren [aged 19], — with the elder Bannister, Digges, and several others of value in the formation of a respectable company, — who all started with the new scheme in 1777, — were still retain 'd; while many excellent performers, in their different lines, had gradually join'd them.
Around 1780 Johan Joseph Zoffany [aged 46]. Elizabeth Farren [aged 21] as "Hermione".
In 1790. Thomas Lawrence [aged 20]. Portrait of Elizabeth Farren Countess Derby [aged 31].
In 1797 Elizabeth Farren [aged 38] made her last appearance, two months before her marriage to [her future husband] Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 44].
On 1st May 1797 Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 44] and Elizabeth Farren Countess Derby [aged 38] were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. The marriage taking place six weeks after the death of his estranged wife Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Derby.
On 30th June 1798 [her step-son] Edward Smith-Stanley 13th Earl of Derby [aged 23] and Charlotte Margaret Hornby Countess Derby were married. He the son of [her husband] Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 45] and Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Derby.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Around 1801 [her daughter] Mary Smith-Stanley Countess Wilton was born to [her husband] Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 48] and Elizabeth Farren Countess Derby [aged 42]. She married 29th November 1821 Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton, son of Robert Grosvenor 1st Marquess Westminster and Eleanor Egerton Marchioness Westminster, and had issue.
On 25th November 1805 [her step-daughter] Charlotte Smith-Stanley [aged 29] died.
Memoirs of Richard Cumberland Volume 2. I hope I shall in no wise hurt the feelings of a lady, who now most worthily fills a very elevated station, if, in speaking of my humble productions In the course of my subject, I cannot avoid to speak of one of the most elegant actresses that ever graced the stage. When I brought out my comedy of The Natural Son, I flattered myself that in the sketch of Lady Paragon I had conceived a character not quite unworthy of the talents of Miss Farren [aged 47]: it is saying little in the way of praise, when I acknowledge the partiality I still retain for that particular part, and indeed for that play in general. It was acted and published in the same season with the Carmelite, and though I did not either in that instance, or in any other to my knowledge, obtrude myself upon the public to the exclusion of a competitor, still it was so that the town was pleased to interpret my second appeal to their candour, and the newspapers of the day vented their malignancy against me in the most opprobrious terms. So exquisite was the style, in which Miss Farren gave her character its best display, and so respectable were her auxiliaries in the scene, particularly Mr. John Palmer, that they could never deprive the comedy of favourable audiences, though their efforts too frequently succeeded in preventing them from being full ones. It was a persecution most disgraceful to the freedom of the press, and the performer^ resented it with a sensibility, that did them honour; they traced some of the paragraphs to their dirty origin, but upon minds entirely debased shame has no effect.
On 29th November 1821 [her son-in-law] Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton [aged 21] and Mary Smith-Stanley Countess Wilton [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Wilton. She the daughter of Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 68] and Elizabeth Farren Countess Derby [aged 62]. He the son of Robert Grosvenor 1st Marquess Westminster [aged 54] and Eleanor Egerton Marchioness Westminster [aged 51].
On 23rd April 1829 Elizabeth Farren Countess Derby [aged 70] died at Knowsley Hall, Lancashire.
On 21st October 1834 [her former husband] Edward Smith-Stanley 12th Earl of Derby [aged 81] died. His son [her former step-son] Edward [aged 59] succeeded 13th Earl Derby, 7th Baronet Stanley of Bickerstaffe. Charlotte Margaret Hornby Countess Derby by marriage Countess Derby.
Criticisms and Dramatic Essays by Hazlitt. Then there was Miss Farren, with her fine-lady airs and graces, with that elegant turn of her head, and motion of her fan, and tripping of her tongue; and Miss Pope, the very picture of a Duenna, a maiden lady, or an antiquated dowager — the latter spring of beauty, the second childhood of vanity, more quaint, fantastic, and old-fashioned, more pert, frothy, and lightheaded than any thing that can be imagined; embalmed in the follies, preserved in the spirit of aflfectation of the last age: — and then add to these, Mrs. Jordan, the child of nature, whose voice was a cordial to the heart, because it came from it, rich, full, like the luscious juice of the rich grape; to hear whose laugh was to drink nectar; whose smile "made a sunshine," not "in the shady place," but amidst dazzling lights and in glad theatres: — who "talked far above singing," and whose singing was like the twang of Cupid's bow. Her person was large, soft, and generous hke her soul. It has been attempted to compare Miss Kelly to her. There is no comparison. Miss Kelly is a shrewd, clever, arch, lively jgirl; tingles all over with suppressed sensibility; licks her Hps at mischief, bites her words in two, or lets a sly meaning out of the corner of her eyes; is fidgetty with curiosity, or unable to stand still for spite:— she is always uneasy and always uneasy and always interesting but Mrs. Jordan was all exuberance and grace, "her bounty was as boundless as the sea; her lvoe as deep."
