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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Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter 1397-1462
Around 1397 Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter was born to [her father] Thomas Clarell of Aldwarke.
Before 1398 [her future husband] Robert Waterton (age 37) and Cecily Fleming were married.
In 1399 [her future husband] Robert Waterton (age 39) was appointed Constable of Pontefract Castle. In January 1400 he was given custody of King Richard II of England (age 31) who died shortly thereafter.
On 20th November 1399 [her future husband] Robert Waterton (age 39) was appointed Master of the Horse to the newly crowned King Henry IV of England (age 32).
In 1417 [her son] William Fitzwilliam was born to [her future husband] John Fitzwilliam (age 19) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 20) at Sprotbrough, South Yorkshire. He married before 1st December 1474 Elizabeth Chaworth and had issue.
In 1419 [her daughter] Eleanor Fitzwilliam was born to [her future husband] John Fitzwilliam (age 21) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 22) at Sprotbrough, South Yorkshire. She married in or before 1450 William Rhyther and had issue.
In or before 1422 Robert Waterton (age 61) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 24) were married. The difference in their ages was 37 years.
On 17th January 1425 [her husband] Robert Waterton (age 65) died.
On 7th February 1426 William Gascoigne XII (age 17) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 29) were married.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Around 1428 [her daughter] Joan Gascoigne was born to [her husband] William Gascoigne XII (age 19) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 31). She married in or before 1460 Henry Vavasour, son of Henry Vavasour, and had issue.
Around 1430 [her son] William Gascoigne XIII was born to [her husband] William Gascoigne XII (age 21) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 33). He married (1) before 1463 Unknown Beckwith and had issue (2) before 1463 Joan Neville and had issue.
In 1436 [her daughter] Anne Gascoigne Baroness Hastings was born to [her husband] William Gascoigne XII (age 27) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 39). She married in or before 1466 Hugh Hastings 10th Baron Hastings, son of John Hastings 9th Baron Hastings and Anne Morley Baroness Hastings, and had issue.
In 1445 [her daughter] Elizabeth Gascoigne was born to [her husband] William Gascoigne XII (age 36) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 48).
In or before 1450 [her son-in-law] William Rhyther (age 41) and [her daughter] Eleanor Fitzwilliam (age 30) were married.
In or before 1460 [her son-in-law] Henry Vavasour (age 38) and [her daughter] Joan Gascoigne (age 31) were married.
In 1462 Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter (age 65) died.
Around 1465. All Saints Church Harewood [Map]. Monument to [her former husband] William Gascoigne XII (age 56) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter. Fluted Period. Suns and Roses Collar. His bare head, with finely detailed hair, no facial hair, rests on an unusual helm which appears to be a Maiden's Face, with an orle. Below the waist faulds and tassets under which mail may be seen. Both rest on a chest tomb with finely detailed weepers on each side. She, on his right, with a Widow's Barbe drawn up to her chin at the finely carved end of her dress two dogs, one pulling at the folds. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Dress Folds at Feet.
William Gascoigne XII: Around 1409 he was born to William Gascoigne at Gawthorpe Hall [Map]. On 7th February 1426 William Gascoigne XII and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter were married. Around 1465 William Gascoigne XII died at Gawthorpe Hall [Map]. All Saints Church Harewood [Map].
Around 1465 [her former husband] William Gascoigne XII (age 56) died at Gawthorpe Hall [Map]. All Saints Church Harewood [Map].
Before 17th September 1474 John Fitzwilliam (age 77) and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter were married.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 17th September 1474 [her former husband] John Fitzwilliam (age 77) died at Rouen, France [Map].
[her daughter] Margaret Gascoigne was born to William Gascoigne XII and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter.
[her son] John Gascoigne was born to William Gascoigne XII and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter.
[her son] Robert Gascoigne was born to William Gascoigne XII and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter.
[her daughter] Amy Gascoigne was born to William Gascoigne XII and Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter.