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: Hastings
On 3rd June 1728 [his father] Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 31) and [his mother] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 21) were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. The marriage was arranged by his half-sister [his aunt] Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings (age 46). She the daughter of [his grandfather] Washington Shirley 2nd Earl Ferrers (age 50) and [his grandmother] Mary Levinge Countess Ferrers. He the son of [his grandfather] Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon and [his grandmother] Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon.
On 13th March 1729 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon was born to [his father] Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 32) and [his mother] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 22).
On 21st December 1739 [his aunt] Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings (age 57) died unmarried. Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 10) inherited her estates including Ledston Hall.
On 13th October 1746 [his father] Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 49) died. His son Francis (age 17) succeeded 10th Earl Huntingdon, 15th Baron Botreaux, 14th Baron Hungerford, 12th Baron Moleyns and 12th Baron Hastings.
In August 1751 [his brother-in-law] John Rawdon 1st Earl Moira (age 31) and [his sister] Elizabeth Hastings Countess Moira (age 20) were married. She the daughter of [his father] Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon and [his mother] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 44).
On 12th March 1752 [his illegitimate son] Charles Hastings 1st Baronet was born illegitimately to Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 22) at Paris [Map]. His mother was a famous French courtesan, la demoiselle Lany, "danseuse de l'Opéra".
In 1758 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 28) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
In 1760 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 30) was appointed Master of the Horse which position he held until 1761.
In 1761 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 31) was appointed Groom of the Stool which position he held until 1770.
In 1761 [his brother-in-law] John Rawdon 1st Earl Moira (age 40) was created 1st Earl Moira. [his sister] Elizabeth Hastings Countess Moira (age 29) by marriage Countess Moira.
On 22nd September 1761 King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 23) was crowned III King Great Britain and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton (age 24) was the Bearer of the Ivory Rod with the Dove.
William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot (age 51) was appointed Lord High Steward.
Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 32) was the bearer of the Sword of State although the actual Sword of State couldn't be found and the Lord Mayor's Pearl Sword was substituted.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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After 12th August 1762 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 33) incorrectly announced to King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 24) that his first born child King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland was a girl. George III had promised £1,000 to the bearer of the news that he had a son and £500 that he had a girl; Francis received neither.
In 1763 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 33) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
In 1766 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 36) commenced a claim to Duke Clarence which he pursued for the remainder of his life.
In 1768 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 38) was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
On 2nd October 1789 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon (age 60) died unmarried at the home of his nephew [his nephew] Francis Rawdon-Hastings 1st Marquess Hastings (age 34). His fifth cousin once removed Theophilus (age 60) de jure 11th Earl Huntingdon although he wasn't aware of the fact. His sister [his sister] Elizabeth (age 58) succeeded 16th Baroness Botreaux, 15th Baroness Hungerford, 13th Baroness Moleyns and 13th Baroness Hastings
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Hastings 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sarah Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stanley 4th Earl of Derby 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Clifford Countess Derby 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Spencer 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Spencer Countess Derby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Kitson 
GrandFather: Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Davies of Chisgrove
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Davies
Great x 1 Grandmother: Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Tuchet 10th Baron Audley, 7th Baron Tuchet 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sneyd Baroness Audley Heighley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Tuchet 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Mervyn
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet
Father: Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Leveson Fowler
GrandMother: Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon
Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Shirley 1st Baronet 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Shirley 2nd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Berkeley 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Shirley 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Devereux Lady Shirley 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Walsingham Countess Essex 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Shirley 1st Earl Ferrers 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Okeover
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Okeover Lady Shirley
GrandFather: Washington Shirley 2nd Earl Ferrers 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lawrence Washington
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lawrence Washington
Great x 2 Grandfather: Laurence Washington
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Washington Baroness Ferrers Chartley
Mother: Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Levinge
GrandMother: Mary Levinge Countess Ferrers