Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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On or before 6th May 1638 Elizabeth Johnson Lady Mordaunt was born to [her father] Nicholas Johnson (age 28). She was baptised on 6th May 1638 at St Saviour's in Soutwark [Map].
On 10th July 1648 Charles Mordaunt 3rd Baronet died. His son [her future husband] Charles (age 10) succeeded 4th Baronet Mordaunt of Massingham Parva.
Before 24th April 1665 Charles Mordaunt 4th Baronet (age 27) and Elizabeth Johnson Lady Mordaunt (age 26) were married. She by marriage Lady Mordaunt of Massingham Parva.
On 24th April 1665 [her husband] Charles Mordaunt 4th Baronet (age 27) died. His brother [her brother-in-law] John succeeded 5th Baronet Mordaunt of Massingham Parva.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 11th December 1666. After dinner my wife and I by coach to St. Clement's Church [Map], to Mrs. Turner's (age 43) lodgings, hard by, to take our leaves of her. She is returning into the North to her children, where, I perceive, her husband (age 53) hath clearly got the mastery of her, and she is likely to spend her days there, which for her sake I am a little sorry for, though for his it is but fit she should live where he hath a mind. Here were several people come to see and take leave of her, she going to-morrow: among others, my Lady Mordant (age 28), which was Betty Turner (age 13), a most homely widow, but young, and pretty rich, and good natured.
After 27th January 1667 Francis Godolphin (age 28) and Elizabeth Johnson Lady Mordaunt (age 28) were married.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 1st February 1669. Thence set him down at Little Turnstile, and so I home, and there eat a little dinner, and away with my wife by coach to the King's playhouse, thinking to have seen "The Heyresse", first acted on Saturday last; but when we come thither, we find no play there; Kinaston (age 29), that did act a part therein, in abuse to Sir Charles Sedley (age 29), being last night exceedingly beaten with sticks, by two or three that assaulted him, so as he is mightily bruised, and forced to keep his bed. So we to the Duke of York's playhouse, and there saw "She Would if she Could", and so home and to my office to business, and then to supper and to bed. This day, going to the play, The. Turner (age 17) met us, and carried us to her mother, at my Lady Mordaunt's (age 30); and I did carry both mother and daughter with us to the Duke of York's playhouse, at next door.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th March 1669. From this to other discourse, and so to the Office, where we sat all the morning, and after dinner by coach to my cozen Turner's, thinking to have taken the young ladies to a play; but The. (age 17) was let blood to-day; and so my wife and I towards the King's playhouse, and by the way found Betty [Turner], and Bab., and Betty Pepys staying for us; and so took them all to see "Claricilla", which do not please me almost at all, though there are some good things in it. And so to my cozen Turner's again, and there find my Lady Mordaunt (age 30), and her sister Johnson; and by and by comes in a gentleman, Mr. Overbury, a pleasant man, who plays most excellently on the flagelette, a little one, that sounded as low as one of mine, and mighty pretty. Hence by and by away, and with my wife, and Bab. and Betty Pepys, and W. Hewer (age 27), whom I carried all this day with me, to my cozen Stradwick's, where I have not been ever since my brother Tom died, there being some difference between my father and them, upon the account of my cozen Scott; and I was glad of this opportunity of seeing them, they being good and substantial people, and kind, and here met my cozen Roger (age 51) and his wife, and my cozen Turner, and here, which I never did before, I drank a glass, of a pint, I believe, at one draught, of the juice of oranges, of whose peel they make comfits; and here they drink the juice as wine, with sugar, and it is very fine drink; but, it being new, I was doubtful whether it might not do me hurt. Having staid a while, my wife and I back, with my cozen Turner, etc., to her house, and there we took our leaves of my cozen Pepys, who goes with his wife and two daughters for Impington tomorrow. They are very good people, and people I love, and am obliged to, and shall have great pleasure in their friendship, and particularly in hers, she being an understanding and good woman. So away home, and there after signing my letters, my eyes being bad, to supper and to bed.
Before 27th August 1670 [her husband] Francis Godolphin (age 31) died.
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.
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Before 10th November 1687 Elizabeth Johnson Lady Mordaunt (age 49) died.