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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Belvoir Castle is in Belvoir, Leicestershire, Castles in Leicestershire.
Around 1085 Maud Bigod was born to Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni at Belvoir Castle [Map]. She married before 1109 William "Pincerna aka Butler" D'Aubigny, son of Roger "Pincerna aka Butler" D'Aubigny 2nd Baron Thirsk and Amice or Alice de Grandesmil.
In 1086 Robert de Todeni is listed in the Doomsday Book as the Lord of Belvoir Castle [Map]. Besides the lands around Belvoir, Robert also received lands in Yorkshire and Leicestershire.
Around 1088 Adeliza Plessis [aged 61] died at Belvoir Castle [Map].
Before 1090 Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni were married by which Belvoir Castle [Map] came into the possession of the Bigod family albeit for only one generation.
In 1090 Cecily Bigod was born to Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni at Belvoir Castle [Map].
In 1095 Hugh Bigod 1st Earl Norfolk was born to Roger Bigod and Adelisa Todeni at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He married (1) in or before 1144 Juliana de Vere and had issue (2) in or before 1156 Gundred Beaumont Countess Norfolk, daughter of Roger Beaumont 2nd Earl Warwick and Gundred Warenne Countess Warwick.
On 9th September 1107 Roger Bigod died. Cecily Bigod [aged 17] and her husband William Brito de Albini inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
Around 1155 William Brito de Albini died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He was buried at Belvoir Priory [Map]. His son William Meschines Brito de Albini [aged 25] inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
In 1168 William Meschines Brito de Albini [aged 38] died. His son William de Albini [aged 17] inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
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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Around 4th September 1242 William de Albini [aged 54] died. His daughter Isabel de Albini [aged 9] and her husband Robert Ros [aged 6] inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 13th May 1285 Robert Ros [aged 49] died. His son William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 30] inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 6th August 1316 William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 61] died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son William [aged 31] succeeded 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 3rd February 1343 William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 58] died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son William [aged 13] succeeded 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. Margaret Neville [aged 13] by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.
On 3rd December 1351 William Ros 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 22] died. His brother Thomas [aged 16] succeeded 4th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond [aged 10] by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.
On 8th June 1384 Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 49] died at Uffington. He was buried at Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire [Map]. His son John [aged 15] succeeded 5th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 6th August 1393 John Ros 5th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 24] died at Paphos returning from Pilgrimage. He was buried at Rievaulx Abbey, Yorkshire [Map]. His brother William [aged 23] succeeded 6th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 17th May 1464 Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 36] was beheaded. His son Edmund [aged 9] succeeded 10th Baron Ros Helmsley. Thomas' lands however, including Belvoir Castle [Map], were given by King Edward IV of England [aged 22] to William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 33].
In 1527 Anne Manners Countess of Westmoreland was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 35] and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 32] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. She married her half fourth cousin Henry Neville 5th Earl of Westmoreland, son of Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland and Katherine Stafford Countess of Westmoreland, and had issue.
Around 1530 Frances Manners Baroness Bergavenny was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 38] and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 35] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. She married in or before 1554 her third cousin once removed Henry Neville 6th and 4th Baron Abergavenny, son of George Neville 5th and 3rd Baron Abergavenny and Mary Stafford Baroness Bergavenny, and had issue.
Around 1535 Roger Manners was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 43] and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 40] at Belvoir Castle [Map].
In 1537 Thomas Manners was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 45] and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 42] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He married his sixth cousin Theodosia Newton and had issue.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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In July 1539 Catherine Manners was born to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 47] and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 44] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. She married August 1543 her fifth cousin once removed Henry Capell and had issue.
On 23rd April 1603 Edward Carr 1st Baronet [aged 60] was knighted at Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 23rd April 1603 Thomas Beaumont 1st Viscount of Swords [aged 21] was knighted at Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 23rd April 1603 Gregory Cromwell was knighted by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 36] at Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 23rd April 1603 Anthony Markham of Sedgebrook [aged 26] was knighted by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 36] at Belvoir Castle [Map].
On 18th March 1639 George Willoughby 7th Baron Willoughby of Parham was born to William Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 23] and Anne Carey Baroness Willoughby of Parham [aged 24] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He married 9th October 1666 Elizabeth Clinton Baroness De La Warr and had issue.
The Manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of Rutland 1640. 4th January 1640. Savoy.
F. Lord Willoughby to his uncle, the Earl of Rutland [aged 60], at Belvoir Castle [Map].
When we ate your venison my wife and I drank your health and my Lady's and did not forget little Mr. George, whom, I am glad to hear, grows towards a man. "There hath beene a marriage at the court betweene one of my Lord of Corcke [aged 73] sonnse [aged 21] and my Lady Elizabeth Feelding, about which there is a greate stur, for it seemes he did not prove eoe rite as a man should be to goo about such a business. For the report goese that his manly part had lost something in his former serviocesse, and beside that he was soe full of severall disceases ... as that it was tould the Queene [aged 30], whoe sent for my Lady Elizabeth, and tould her that she must desier her not to lett her husband lye with her that night, whoe put of, modilestly making little answere, but she seemed so lothe to understand the Queene, as that she tould her she must command her not to come in a pair of sheets with him, and tould her the reasons; soe as that he is gone out of the way some say into France, others thinks he is in London under cower. It was discovered by his sister [aged 30] Mr. Goring's [aged 31] wife, to whom he had imparted his grevancess, and she had plotted it soe, to make an excuse for him, that he should falie downe stares that day, and she would come and take him up, and soe he should complane how he had breused himselfe and strained his back with the fale, that he should be soe ill he was not fitt to goe to bed to his wife that night. But could not keepe her counsel but must tell her husband Jorge Goring, and he presently ran and tould the Queene, and soe it was discovered and then it was presently in every buddy's mouth.".
My Lord Keeper is so ill that the physicians think he cannot recover. My Lord Chief Justice Bramstone is talked of to be Lord Keeper, and Bishop Wren [aged 54]. It is known to be between those two. My Lord Finch [aged 12] will be Chief Justice of the King's Bench and the Attorney General to be Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. Signet.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th August 1654. Now we were come to Cottsmore, a pretty seat belonging to Mr. Heath, son of the late Lord Chief Justice of that name. Here, after dinner, parting with the company that conducted us thus far, I passed that evening by Belvoir Castle [Map], built on a round mount at the point of a long ridge of hills, which affords a stately prospect, and is famous for its strenuous resistance in the late civil war.
On 14th May 1655 Catherine Willoughby was born to William Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 39] and Anne Carey Baroness Willoughby of Parham [aged 40] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. She married 26th December 1678 Charles Cockayne 3rd Viscount Cullen, son of Brien Cockayne 2nd Viscount Cullen and Elizabeth Trentham Viscountess Cullen, and had issue.
Around 1659 Anne Willoughby Lady Harpur was born to William Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 43] and Anne Carey Baroness Willoughby of Parham [aged 44] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. She married in or before 1679 John Harpur 3rd Baronet, son of John Harpur 2nd Baronet, and had issue.
In 1669 John Willoughby 8th Baron Willoughby of Parham was born to George Willoughby 7th Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 29] and Elizabeth Clinton Baroness De La Warr at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He died aged nine in 1678.
After 1669 Charles Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby of Parham was born to William Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 53] and Anne Carey Baroness Willoughby of Parham [aged 54] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He died aged ten point one two five eight five in 1679.
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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Around April 1678 John Willoughby 8th Baron Willoughby of Parham [aged 9] died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His uncle John [aged 9] succeeded 9th Baron Willoughby Parham.
On 10th January 1711 John Manners 1st Duke Rutland [aged 72] died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son John [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Duke Rutland, 2nd Marquess Grandby, 10th Earl of Rutland, 2nd Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland [aged 34] by marriage Duchess Rutland.
On 13th December 1818 John Manners was born to John Henry Manners 5th Duke Rutland [aged 40] and Elizabeth Howard Duchess Rutland [aged 38] at Belvoir Castle [Map]. He was educated at Eton College [Map] and Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map] He married (1) 10th June 1851 Catherine Louise Georgina Marlay and had issue (2) 1862 his fifth cousin once removed Janetta Hughan Duchess Rutland and had issue.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. Before going back to town from Belvoir Castle [Map], my mother and I stayed one day at the Old Club on the invitation of Sir James Musgrave and John Moore. It was New Year's Eve, and the bells which rang in the New Year must have continued all night, for I never got any sleep, and so the morning of January 1, 1843, found me very tired, and not in the best of tempers!
Adeline Horsey Recollections. Belvoir Castle [Map] was another delightful place I stayed at, and I remember the fifth Duke of Rutland [aged 66] drinking my health on my eighteenth birthday. His son, the Marquis of Granby [aged 28], was a man of consummate tact and presence of mind. At one of the house-parties there was a pretty young married lady with whom he was greatly smitten, and having received every encouragement, he paid a visit to her room after she had retired. The lady was asleep, and just as the Marquis was about to rouse her, the door opened, and the husband, whom he supposed to be otherwise engaged, appeared unexpectedly on the scene. It was an embarrassing moment, but the Marquis, who was equal to the occasion, held up a warning finger and exclaimed in an anxious whisper, "Hush! don't disturb her, she is fast asleep; I was passing, and I thought I smelt fire - but all's well". The husband thanked him with honest gratitude, and doubtless felt all the happier for being under the roof of such a solicitous host.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. My hunting recollections would not be complete without including among them the occasion in '73 when I went to a meet at Belvoir [Map], and met his Majesty King Edward VII [aged 31], then Prince of Wales, who was staying at the Castle. I was riding my famous horse "Dandy", who won the Billesdon Coplow Stakes at Croxton Park, and that morning I was much exercised in my mind about a proposal of marriage I had just received from Disraeli [aged 68]. My uncle Admiral Rous [aged 77], had said to me, "My dear, you can't marry that d---d old Jew", but I had known Disraeli all my life, and I liked him very well. He had, however, one drawback so far as I was concerned, and that was his breath - the ill odour of politics perhaps! In ancient Rome a wife could divorce her husband if his breath were unpleasant, and had Dizzy lived in those days his wife would have been able to divorce him without any difficulty. I was wondering whether I could possibly put up with this unfortunate attribute in a great man, when I met the King, who was graciously pleased to ride with me. In the course of our conversation I told him about Disraeli's proposal and asked him whether he would advise me to accept it, but the King said he did not think the marriage would be a very happy one.
I lunched with the Royal party at Belvoir Castle [Map], and as I rode home afterwards I felt well pleased that I had decided not to become the wife of a politician!
On 3rd March 1888 Charles Manners 6th Duke Rutland [aged 72] died unmarried at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His brother John Manners [aged 69] succeeded 7th Duke Rutland, 7th Marquess Grandby, 15th Earl of Rutland, 7th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Janetta Hughan [aged 51] by marriage Duchess Rutland.
On 5th August 1906 John Manners 7th Duke Rutland [aged 87] died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son Henry [aged 54] succeeded 8th Duke Rutland, 8th Marquess Grandby, 16th Earl of Rutland, 2nd Baron Roos of Belvoir in Leicestershire. Violet Lindsay Duchess Rutland [aged 50] by marriage Duchess Rutland.
The Times. 28th January 1916. MARRIAGE OF LORD GRANBY.
The marriage of the Marquess of Granby [aged 29], only son of the Duke [aged 63] and Duchess of Rutland [aged 59], to Miss Kathleen Tennant [aged 21], youngest daughter of Mr. [aged 54] and Mrs. Frank Tennant [aged 52], of Innes House, took place yesterday at St. Margaret's [Map]. There was a very large attendance, and a number of those present brought young children with them.
The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a Venetian gown of white satin with a gold, brocade train four yards long and a short mantlet of old Venetian family lace; the sleeves were long and close-fitting, and she had a long white net veil with a wreath of orange blossoms. She carried a copy of the marriage service embroidered in seed pearl and coloured silks, worked by her mother after an old design in the British Museum.
Lady Diane Manners [aged 24], who was one of the bridesmaids, designed the bridesmaids' gowns in the medieval manner; they were of white chiffon belted in silver worn with flowing veils of blue tulle held by silver bands. Each of the bridesmaids carried a tail branch of almond blossom; the others were Miss Elizabeth Asquith [aged 18], Miss Mary Lyttelton, and Miss Violet Warrender. The Hon. Stephen Tennant [aged 9], who wore a Romeo suit with a jewelleed belt, was the page. Captain Charles Lindsay, Grenadier Guards, was best man. Canon Sheppard [aged 35], Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal, and the Rev. F. W. Knox, the Duke of Rutland's chaplain, performed the ceremony.
SOME OF THE GOWNS. The Duke of Rutland was among the first to come to the church, and most of the guests were there early. The Prime Minister [aged 63] arrived with Mr. [aged 35] and Mrs. Bonham-Carter [aged 28], and Mr. Balfour with a party which included Mr. and Mrs. William Balfour. The Duchess on Rutland wore gold charmeuse with gold tissue in her hat and a rose pink velvet cloak bordered with fur. The Marchioness of Anglesey [aged 32], in white box-cloth, brought her little daughter, Lady Carolinie Paget [aged 2], in a little Ermine coat and hat. Mrs. Asquith [aged 51], who was with Mrs. Graham Smith [aged 56], wore a black charmeuse gown made with a ruched cape and trimmed with chinchilla; her hat was black with emerald feathers.
Mrs. Tennant wore black and white embroidered taffetas; Lady Robert Manners had a long muauve coat trimmed with skunk; and the Countess of Wemyss [aged 53] was in black and white. Lady Tree had a pervenche panne long coat made tight-fitting and a plain black sailor hat. The Countess of Drogheda [aged 29] wore black and gold, Lady D'Abernon [aged 50] grey chinchilla furs with a black coat and skirt, and Lady Arthur Paget a musquash coat bordered with skunk. Mrs. Guy Charteris [aged 28] brought her baby, and the Hon. Mrs. George Keppel [aged 45], in black and white, was accomapanied by her two daughters, and Mrs. McKenna by her two sons. Mrs. Hwfa Williams and Lady Randolph Churchill [aged 62] (who was with Mrs. Churchill [aged 30]) both were black velvet.
The Guests. Among those present were:
The Italian Ambassador, the Spanish Ambassador, the Duchess of Buccleuch [aged 44], and Lady Margaret Scott, etc.
A small reception was held after the ceremony at Lord [aged 56] and Lady Glenconner's [aged 45] house in Queen Anne's gate, and the bride and bridegroom subsequently left for Belvoir Castle [Map], where the honeymoon will be spent.
On 22nd April 1940 John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland [aged 53] died of pneumonia at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son Charles [aged 20] succeeded 10th Duke Rutland, 10th Marquess Grandby, 18th Earl of Rutland, 10th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire, 4th Baron Roos of Belvoir in Leicestershire.
On 21st June 2025 William Lindesay-Bethune [aged 34] and Violet Manners [aged 31] were married at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map] and, thereafter, Belvoir Castle [Map]. She the daughter of David Manners 11th Duke of Rutland [aged 66] and Emma Watkins Duchess Rutland [aged 61].
The best men were Archibald Cochrane [aged 34] and David Lindesay-Bethune [aged 32]. The two bridesmaids were her sisters Alice Manners [aged 30] and Eliza Manners [aged 27], and Princess Devisha Kumari Singh.
The guests included Lady Tatiana Mountbatten [aged 35]. Sabrina Catherine Percy [aged 35] and Timothy Vesterberg and Flora Ogilvy [aged 30], Prince Jaime Duke of Noto and Charlotte Lindesay-Bethune [aged 32],
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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The Lord Ross Divorce attracted considerable public attention since it highlighted the shortcomings of the divorce laws. Anne Pierrepont had clearly committed adultery since she was in London at the time of the conception whilst her husband, known by the courtesy title Lord Ross was at Belvoir Castle [Map]. The child would be considered legitimate since the parents were married; the law made no provision for adultery or divorce. He was forced to seek legislation in Parliament that made the child illegitimate and, therefore, unable to inherit his title. He was further compelled to seek legislation so that he could marry again so that he could produce an heir.
King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland took a more than passing interest, it is believed, since divorce may have been an option since he and his wife Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England had not had any children in their eight years of marriage despite he having had eight illegitimate children.
