Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Paternal Family Tree: Stanhope
In 1584 Philip Stanhope 1st was born to [his father] John Stanhope (age 25) and [his mother] Cordelia Alington (age 22).
In 1604 Philip Stanhope 1st (age 20) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield were married. They were half second cousins.
On 30th December 1604 George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon (age 64) died. His grandson [his brother-in-law] Henry (age 18) succeeded 5th Earl Huntingdon, 10th Baron Botreaux, 9th Baron Hungerford, 7th Baron Moleyns and 7th Baron Hastings. Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon (age 16) by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
In 1607 [his son] Edward Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 23) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He died aged seven in 1614.
In 1607 [his son] Charles Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 23) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
In 1608 [his son] William Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 24) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He died aged six in 1614.
In 1610 [his son] George Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 26) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He died aged six in 1616.
In 1611 [his father] John Stanhope (age 52) died.
After 1612 [his mother] Cordelia Alington (deceased) died.
In 1614 [his son] William Stanhope (age 6) died.
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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In 1614 [his son] Edward Stanhope (age 7) died.
In 1616 Philip Stanhope 1st (age 32) was created 1st Baron Stanhope of Shelford in Nottinghamshire.
In 1616 [his son] George Stanhope (age 6) died.
On 9th February 1619 Humphrey Ferrers and [his future wife] Anne Pakington (age 20) were married at Kensington.
On 18th May 1622 Peter Courten 1st Baronet (age 24) was created 1st Baronet Courten of Addington in Worcestershire. [his half-sister] Jane Stanhope Viscountess Valentia (age 16) by marriage Lady Courten of Addington in Worcestershire.
In 1624 [his son] Michael Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 40) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
After 1624 [his brother-in-law] Francis Annesley 1st Viscount Valentia (age 37) and [his half-sister] Jane Stanhope Viscountess Valentia (age 18) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Valentia.
In 1627 [his son] Arthur Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 43) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield at Shelford, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He married in or before 1655 his fifth cousin Anne Salisbury, daughter of Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Vaughan.
In 1628 [his son] Henry Stanhope and [his daughter-in-law] Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield (age 19) were married. He the son of Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 44) and [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
In 1628 Philip Stanhope 1st (age 44) was created 1st Earl Chesterfield. [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield by marriage Countess Chesterfield.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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On 29th November 1634 [his son] Henry Stanhope died.
After 1636 Philip Stanhope 1st (age 52) and Anne Pakington Countess Chesterfield (age 37) were married. She by marriage Countess Chesterfield.
On 28th August 1636 [his wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield died.
In 1638 [his son] Alexander Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st (age 54) and [his wife] Anne Pakington Countess Chesterfield (age 39).
In 1643 [his son] Ferdinando Stanhope died.
In or before 1644 [his son-in-law] Richard Hoghton 3rd Baronet (age 27) and [his daughter] Sarah Stanhope Lady Hoghton were married. She the daughter of Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 59) and [his former wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
In 1645 [his son] Charles Stanhope (age 38) died.
On 27th October 1645 [his son] Philip Stanhope died.
On 5th July 1648 [his son] Michael Stanhope (age 24) was killed at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map] during the Battle of Willoughby Field.
In 1649 [his step-son] John Ferrers (age 19) and Anne Carlton (age 24) were married at St Bartholomew the Less. He the son of Humphrey Ferrers and [his wife] Anne Pakington Countess Chesterfield (age 50).
John Evelyn's Diary. 7th May 1650. I went with Sir Richard Browne's (age 45) lady and my wife (age 15), together with the Earl of Chesterfield (age 66), Lord Ossory (age 15) and his brother (age 10), to Vamber, a place near the city famous for butter; when, coming homeward, being on foot, a quarrel arose between Lord Ossory and a man in a garden, who thrust Lord Ossory from the gate with uncivil language; on which our young gallants struck the fellow on the pate, and bade him ask pardon, which he did with much submission, and so we parted. But we were not gone far before we heard a noise behind us, and saw people coming with guns, swords, staves, and forks, and who followed, flinging stones; on which, we turned, and were forced to engage, and with our swords, stones, and the help of our servants (one of whom had a pistol) made our retreat for near a quarter of a mile, when we took shelter in a house, where we were besieged, and at length forced to submit to be prisoners. Lord Hatton (age 44), with some others, were taken prisoners in the flight, and his lordship was confined under three locks and as many doors in this rude fellow's master's house, who pretended to be steward to Monsieur St. Germain, one of the presidents of the Grand Chambre du Parlement, and a Canon of Nôtre Dame. Several of us were much hurt. One of our lackeys escaping to Paris, caused the bailiff of St. Germain to come with his guard and rescue us. Immediately afterward, came Monsieur St. Germain himself, in great wrath, on hearing that his housekeeper was assaulted; but when he saw the King's officers, the gentlemen and noblemen, with his Majesty's Resident and understood the occasion, he was ashamed of the accident, requesting the fellow's pardon, and desiring the ladies to accept their submission and a supper at his house. It was ten o'clock at night ere we got to Paris, guarded by Prince Griffith (a Welsh hero going under that name, and well known in England for his extravagancies), together with the scholars of two academies, who came forth to assist and meet us on horseback, and would fain have alarmed the town we received the affront from: which, with much ado, we prevented.
In or before 1655 [his son] Arthur Stanhope (age 27) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Salisbury (age 24) were married. He the son of Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 70) and [his former wife] Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. They were fifth cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 12th September 1656 Philip Stanhope 1st (age 72) died. His grandson [his grandson] Philip (age 22) succeeded 2nd Earl Chesterfield, 2nd Baron Stanhope of Shelford in Nottinghamshire.
Around 1657 [his former wife] Anne Pakington Countess Chesterfield (age 58) died.
[his son] Philip Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[his son] Thomas Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[his son] Ferdinando Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He married Lettice Ferrers and had issue.
[his son] Elizabeth Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
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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[his son] Henry Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He married 1628 Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield, daughter of Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton, and had issue.
[his son] John Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[his father] John Stanhope and [his mother] Cordelia Alington were married.
[his father] John Stanhope and Catherine Trentham were married.
[his daughter] Sarah Stanhope Lady Hoghton was born to Philip Stanhope 1st and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. She married in or before 1644 Richard Hoghton 3rd Baronet, son of Gilbert Hoghton 2nd Baronet, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 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 21 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 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stanhope 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stanhope
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stanhope
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Jerningham 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret or Mary Jerningham
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Clifton 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Michael Stanhope 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bourchier Baron Fitzwarin 
Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulk Bourchier 10th Baron Fitzwarin 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Thomasine Hankford 9th Baroness Fitzwarin 11 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bourchier 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Dynham 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dynham Baroness Fitzwarin 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Arches
GrandFather: Thomas Stanhope 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Nicholas Rawson of Aveley in Essex
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Rawson
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cooke
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Cooke
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrix Cooke
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Belnap
Father: John Stanhope 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Port
GrandMother: Margaret Port
Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Alington
Great x 2 Grandfather: Giles Alington
Great x 1 Grandfather: Giles Alington
GrandFather: Richard Alington
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Middleton of Calais
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Middleton
Mother: Cordelia Alington