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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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Paternal Family Tree: Fanshawe
In 1648 [his father] Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe (age 16) and Catherine Ferrers (age 13) were married.
Before 26th September 1662 John Wray 3rd Baronet (age 43) and [his mother] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 20) were married. She by marriage Lady Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire. The difference in their ages was 22 years.
Around 1665 [his father] Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe (age 33) and [his mother] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 23) were married.
In 1669 Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd was born to [his father] Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe (age 37) and [his mother] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 27). He was baptised at St Michael's Church, Glentworth [Map].
In 1674 [his father] Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe (age 42) died. His son Evelyn (age 5) succeeded 3rd Viscount Fanshawe.
After 1674 [his step-father] George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton (age 42) and [his mother] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 32) were married. His second wife, her third husband. She by marriage Viscountess Castleton.
On 26th June 1685 [his grandfather] John Evelyn of Wiltshire (age 83) died. He left his daughter [his mother] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 43) only five shillings in his will since he disapproved of her marriage with [his step-father] George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton (age 53).
Aleppo the 17th day of October 1687.
Whereas I [Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd (age 18)] have made my will in England I doe hereby confirme the same, only with this following Exception, That whereas I have bequeathed to my Uncle Charles ffanshaw all my moneys after debts, Legacies, and funerall charges paid, I doe now hereby bequeath a Thousand pounds of said money to the honourable William Montague (age 69) Esq. late Lord cheife Baron of the Exchequer, and Samuel Eyre Esq. Councellor at Law, for the Sole use and benefitt of my [his mother] Mother (age 45) the Viscountess Castleton, her Executors, Administrators or Assignes, I doe also beneath unto my Servant Thomas Harding all my wearing apparrell, besides the Legacy left him in my aforementioned Will, unto which I add this as a Coddicil desiring my Executor, my Uncle Charles ffanshaw, to see it performed.
E. Fanshaw.
Signed, sealed and published in the psence of Kingston, Thomas Metcalfe, Edm. Challoner, Alexander Bigby, Alexander' Prescott, William Pearll.
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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On 18th October 1687 Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd (age 18) died in . He was buried at Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]. His uncle [his uncle] Charles (age 44) succeeded 4th Viscount Fanshawe.
31st March 1689. Will of Evelyn, Viscount Fanshawe.
In the Name of God Amen; the one and thirtieth day of March In the Third yeare of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord James the Second, Anno Dom. 1687, I Evelyn Lord Viscount ffanshaw, being in good health, but intending forthwith to travell into forreigne parts, and considering the dangers of the Seas and the uncertainty of my Life, doe now make and publish this my last Will, ffirst I humbly resigne myselfe to the Mercy of God, and wheresoever I shall happen to dye 1 desire That my Body may be buried at Ware in the County of Hartford, in the Vault there, near the body of my ffather. And my estate 1 dispose of this manner. I give to my Uncle Simon ffanshaw Esq., and to every one of my Aunts, Tenn Pounds a peece to buy them Mourning. And to my Cosen Mr William ffanshaw1 ffifty pounds. I give to my Coeen Mr George Wright the Younger, and to his Siter Mrs Bridget Wright ffifty pounds a peece. I give to my Godsonne Thomas Villers ffifty pounds to binde him out an Apprentice, and to my Servant Thomas Harding Twenty pounds. I give to Mr John Slater of Ludgate, Clerk, One hundred pounds. And to the poore of the Parish of Ware aforesaid ffifty pounds. I doe constitute and appoint Sr Edward Atkins, Lord cheif Baron of his Majesties Court of Exchequer, and Samuel Ayres of Lincolnes Inne Estq., to be Executors of this my last Will, and I give to each of them ffifty pounds for their care and paines therein. And I will and appoint that all the rest of my moneys, debts, and personall estate whatsoever, shall bee disposed and laid out in the purchasing of Lands and Tenements of Inheritance in the Kingdom of England, which shali be settled and assured unto or to the use of my Undo [his uncle] Charles ffanshawe (age 46) Esq.2 for his Life, lind urith a remainder to certaine persons and their heires during the Life of the said Charles ffanshawe, to preserve the contingent remainders thereof to be limitted from and after the decease of the said Charles ffanshaw, then to the use of the ffirst and all the Sonnes of the said Charles ffanshaw successively, according to their Seniority in Tajle Male. And for want of such issue Then to the use of my Uncle [his uncle] Simon ffanshaw (age 40) Esq,4 for his Life, with a remainder to certaine persons and their heires during the life of the said Simon ffanshaw, to pserve the contingent remainders thereof to be limitted, and from and afber the decease of the said Simon ffanshawe Then to the use of the ffirst and all the Sonnes of the said Simon ffanshaw successiyely, according to their seniority in Tayle Male. And for want of such issue Then to the use of mj owne rie^hte heires for ever. And I revoke all former Wills by me made. In witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett mj hand and Seale the day and yeare first above written. I doe give to my Mother Twenty pounds for Mourning.
Fanshaw.
Signed, Sealed and published by the said Viscount ffanshaw, and subscribed in his psence by us, (after the Legacy of Twenty pounds to his Mother was added)
Harry Cambell,5 Geo. Bradbury,. George Wright. Thomas Wood.
Note 1. Onlv son and heir of [his father] Thomas, second Viscount Fanshawe, by [his mother] Sarah (age 47), daughter of Sir [his grandfather] John Evelyn; baptized at Glentworth [Map], co. Lincoln, Augost 9, 1669; succeeded as third Visconnt in 1674; died, aged only 19, at Aleppo in 8yri% October 10, 1687, unmarried; buried at Ware [Map] February 24 following.
Note 2. Of St: Martins in the Fields; eldest son of John Fanshawe, Esq. of Parsloes; ob. 1706.
Note 3. Succccded as fourth Viscount j ob. 1710, unmarried.
Note 4. Succeeded, in 1710, as fifth Viscount; ob. 1716, unmarried.
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Will of Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd Proved in P. C. C. February 18, 1690, by Sir Edward Atkins and Samuel Eyre, the Executors named.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Fanshawe
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Fanshawe
GrandFather: Thomas Fanshawe 1st Viscount Fanshawe
7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Smythe
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Smythe 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Neville
3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas "Customer" Smythe 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Smythe 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Father: Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe
8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cockayne
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Cockayne
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cockayne
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cockayne
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Medcalf
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Medcalf
GrandMother: Elizabeth Cockayne Viscountess Fanshawe
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Morris
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Morris Countess Dover
Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd Viscount Fanshawe
9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Kingston
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Evelyn of Long Ditton
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Godstone
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Williams
Great x 3 Grandmother: Rose Williams
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Evelyn of West Dean
GrandFather: John Evelyn of Wiltshire
Mother: Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Coxe
GrandMother: Elizabeth Coxe