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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Paternal Family Tree: Wriothesley
On 29th October 1485 King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 28] processed from Tower of London [Map] to Westminster Abbey [Map]. Ahead of him marched the heralds and serjeants-at-arms, the Esquire of the Body, the King's Secretary Richard Fox [aged 37], almoner Christopher Urswick [aged 37], the mayor of London and the Garter King of Arms. Also ahead of him were Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 50], John de la Pole Earl Lincoln 1st [aged 23], John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 43] and William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley [aged 59]. Following behind were the only two Dukes: Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford [aged 53], created the day before, and John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk [aged 43].
Before 1488 Thomas Wriothesley was born to [his father] John Writhe.
In 1489 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 1] was appointed Wallingford Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary in the service of Prince Arthur Tudor [aged 2].
In 1491 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 3] accompanied King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 33] to Brittany [Map].
In 1504 [his father] John Writhe died.
On 26th January 1505 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 17] was appointed Garter King of Arms. Around this time he changed his surname from Writhe to Wriothesley as did his brother William Wriothesley [aged 16].
On 8th May 1508 [his son] Charles Wriothesley was born to Thomas Wriothesley [aged 20].
After 21st April 1509 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 21], who wasn't present, made a drawing of the death of Henry VII [deceased]. The drawing shows those present and in some cases provides their arms by which they can be identified. From top left clockwise:
Bishop Richard Foxe [aged 61].
Two tonsured clerics.
George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 22].
Richard Weston of Sutton Place [aged 44].
Richard Clement of Ightham Mote [aged 27].
Matthew Baker.
John Sharpe of Coggleshall in Essex.
Physician holding urine bottle.
William Tyler.
Hugh Denys.
William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton [aged 19] closing the King's eyes. There is doubt as to whether the person shown is William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton given his age of around nineteen at the King's death. He appears to be holding a Staff of Office although sources state he wasn't appointed Gentleman Usher, in which role he would have a Staff of Office, until Henry VIII's Coronation in Jun 1509.
The Arms below him are Quarterly 1 Lozengy argent & gules (FitzWilliam); 2 Arms of John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu 3 Quartered 1 possibly Plantagenet with white border ie Holland 2&3 Tibetot, 4 Unknown, overall a star for difference indicating third son. William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton was his father's third son, and his mother was Lucy Neville [aged 41] daughter of John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu. It appears correct that the person represented is William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton. William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl of Southampton was the childhood companion of Henry VIII [aged 17].
Physician holding urine bottle.
Richard Weston of Sutton Place: he and Anne Sandys were married. In 1465 he was born. In 1541 he died.
Matthew Baker: From 1486 he was appointed Governor of Jersey. In May 1513 he died in Bermondsey Abbey [Map].
In June 1520 Henry VIII [aged 28] hosted Field of the Cloth of Gold at Balinghem [Map].
Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 42] carried the Sword of State.
Bishop John Stokesley [aged 45] attended as Henry VIII's chaplain.
Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye [aged 36], Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth [aged 42], Anthony Poyntz [aged 40], William Coffin [aged 25], William "Great" Courtenay [aged 43], Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 37], William Paston [aged 41], William Denys [aged 50], Richard Cecil [aged 25], William Parr 1st Baron Parr of Horton [aged 37], Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 22], John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt [aged 40], Henry Guildford [aged 31], Marmaduke Constable [aged 40], William Compton [aged 38], William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy [aged 42], Thomas Cheney [aged 35], Henry Willoughby [aged 69], John Rodney [aged 59], John Marney 2nd Baron Marney [aged 36], William Sidney [aged 38], John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford [aged 20], John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 49], Edmund Walsingham [aged 40], William Skeffington [aged 55] and Thomas West 8th Baron De La Warr 5th Baron West [aged 63] attended.
William Carey [aged 20] jousted.
William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 50] organised.
Jane Parker Viscountess Rochford [aged 15] attended.
Thomas Brooke 8th Baron Cobham [aged 50], Robert Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 10th Baron Latimer [aged 48], Anthony Wingfield [aged 33], William Scott [aged 61], Thomas Wriothesley [aged 32], Bishop Thomas Ruthall [aged 48], Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 20] and Edward Chamberlayne [aged 36] were present.
In 1523 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 35] took the Order of the Garter to Ferdinand I Holy Roman Emperor [aged 19].
In 1524 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 36] was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary with the annual salary of £10.
On 24th November 1534 Thomas Wriothesley [aged 46] died.