Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Around 1495 William Coffin was born to [his father] Richard Coffin [aged 39] at Portledge Manor Alwington, Devon.
In or before 1508 Richard Vernon [aged 30] and [his future wife] Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 7] were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years. They were fourth cousin once removed.
In 1515 William Coffin [aged 20] was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 23].
After August 1517 William Coffin [aged 22] and Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 17] were married.
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], [his wife] Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 20] and Edward Chamberlayne [aged 36] were present.
In 1523 [his father] Richard Coffin [aged 67] died.
In 1529 William Coffin [aged 34] was elected MP Derbyshire.
In or before 1531 [his step-son] George Vernon "King of the Peak" [aged 22] and Margaret Tailboys [aged 2] were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years. They were fifth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 1st June 1533 the six months pregnant Queen Anne Boleyn of England [aged 32] was crowned Queen Consort England by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [aged 43] at Westminster Abbey [Map]. See Coronation of Anne Boleyn.
John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 62] bore the Crown. Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 16] carried the Salt. Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset [aged 46] rode in the procession. William Coffin [aged 38] was appointed Master of the Horse. Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 50] served as Lord Sewer. Henry Parker [aged 20] and William Coffin were knighted. Thomas Berkeley 6th Baron Berkeley [aged 28], Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 26] and Henry Capell [aged 27] were created Knight of the Bath. Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset rode in the procession. Arthur Hopton [aged 44] attended.
Thomas More [aged 55] refused to attend. Shortly thereafter, More was charged with accepting bribes, but the charges had to be dismissed for lack of any evidence.
Anne Braye Baroness Cobham [aged 32] was the attendant horsewoman.
Charles Wriothesley [aged 25] attended.
On 8th December 1538 William Coffin [aged 43] died at Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Mary the Virgin, Standon.
In 1539 Richard Manners [aged 30] and [his former wife] Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 39] were married. They were fifth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1545 [his former wife] Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 45] died.