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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Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire is in Leicestershire.
See: Ashby Castle [Map], Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, Bristow Park, Lower Church Street.
In 1175 Roger Zouche was born to Alain Zouche [aged 50] and Adelicia Belmeis at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married Margaret Bisset and had issue.
Around 1203 Alan Zouche was born to Roger Zouche [aged 28] and Margaret Bisset at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married in or before 1242 Helen or Ela Quincy, daughter of Roger de Quincy 2nd Earl Winchester and Helen Galloway Countess Winchester, and had issue.
In 1234 Margaret Zouche was born to William Zouche [aged 20] and Maud Trailly at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In or before 1238 Eudo Zouche was born to Roger Zouche [aged 62] and Margaret Bisset at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married Millicent Cantilupe, daughter of William Cantilupe and Eva de Braose, and had issue.
On 14th May 1238 Roger Zouche [aged 63] died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
On 25th June 1279 Eudo Zouche [aged 41] died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1285 Roger Zouche [aged 59] died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Around 1315 Thomasina Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth [aged 38] and Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth [aged 35] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
On 15th September 1317 Alan Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Mortimer was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Mortimer [aged 52] and Alice Tosny Countess Warwick [aged 33] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married Eleanor Damory Baroness Zouche Mortimer and had issue.
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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In 1487 George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon was born to Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns [aged 20] and Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns [aged 21] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. He married December 1509 his third cousin Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon, daughter of Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford, and had issue.
In 1514 Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon was born to George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] and Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon [aged 31] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married 25th June 1532 his second cousin once removed Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon, daughter of Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu and Jane Neville Baroness Montagu, and had issue.
Around 1535 Henry Hastings 3rd Earl Huntingdon was born to Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 21] and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 24] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.23%. He married his fourth cousin once removed Katherine Dudley Countess Huntingdon, daughter of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland.
In 1541 Edward Hastings was born to Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 30] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.23%. He married 1567 his half third cousin Barbara Devereux and had issue.
On 24th April 1586 Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon was born to Francis Hastings [aged 26] and Sarah Harrington [aged 21] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He was educated at Gray's Inn. He married 15th January 1601 his fourth cousin Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon, daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby, and had issue.
On 3rd November 1592 Gervaise Sleigh of Ash, Derbyshire [aged 32] and Elizabeth Cholmondeley [aged 32] were married at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1629 Robert Shirley 4th Baronet was born to Henry Shirley 2nd Baronet [aged 41] and Dorothy Devereux Lady Shirley [aged 29] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married before 23rd January 1647 Catherine Okeover Lady Shirley and had issue.
On 31st March 1863 Joseph Hood 1st Baronet was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Ashby Castle is also in Castles in Leicestershire.
The Huntingdon Peerage Chapter IX Ferdinando Sixth Earl of Huntingdon. FERDINANDO, sixth Earl of Huntingdon, heir and successor of Henry the fifth Earl [aged 21], was born at Ashby [Map], January 11th, 1608. In March, 1627, he was returned to serve in Parliament for the county of Leicester, and two years after was joined with his father in the Lieutenancy of the counties of Leicester and Rutland. By indenture, dated May, 1638, he and his brother Henry, in consideration of the sum of 4,50l. granted, to John Earl of Bridgewater [aged 29] and Thomas Davies, a moiety of the rectory of Mould, otherwise Mouldesdale, in Flintshire. On the 13th of November, 1641, his father being then still living, he had summons to Parliament amongst the barons of the realm; and in 1643 he succeeded to the family honours. He married Lucy, daughter and sole heir to Sir John Davys [aged 38], of Englefield, Berks, Knt. (Premier Serjeant at Law to James the First, and Charles the First, as also Solicitor, and afterwards Attorney General in Ireland, and finally Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench,) by his wife Lady Eleanor [aged 18], youngest daughter of George Lord Audley, Earl of Castlehaven [aged 57], and, settling at Donnington Park, had by her four sons; Henry, John, Ferdinando, and Theophilus, born after the decease of his three brothers; and likewise six daughters, Alice, Eleanor, both of whom died young; Elizabeth, married to Sir James Laughan, of Cottesbroke, in Nottinghamshire, Bart, being his second wife, and dying without issue; Lucy, who died unmarried; Mary, espoused to Sir William Joliffe, of Caverswell Castle in Staffordshire, Knt.; and lastly Christiana.
Around 1660. Ashby Castle [Map] was deliberately destroyed by Parliamentary forces to avoid it becoming a Royalist stronghold.
On 1st July 1574 Bishop Joseph Hall was born at Bristow Park. He was educated at Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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In 1921 Ashby Grammar School Hood Extension [Map] was presented to Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire by Joseph Hood 1st Baronet [aged 57].
Joseph Hood 1st Baronet: On 31st March 1863 he was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. In 1922 Joseph Hood 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey. On 10th March 1931 he died. His son Harold succeeded 2nd Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey.
On 1st July 1574 Bishop Joseph Hall was born at Bristow Park. He was educated at Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1921 Ashby Grammar School Hood Extension [Map] was presented to Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire by Joseph Hood 1st Baronet [aged 57].
Joseph Hood 1st Baronet: On 31st March 1863 he was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. In 1922 Joseph Hood 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey. On 10th March 1931 he died. His son Harold succeeded 2nd Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey.