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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Brougham Castle is in Brougham, Castles in Westmoreland.
Around 1232 Robert Vipont Lord Westmoreland was born to John Vipont [aged 22] and Sybil Ferrers [aged 15] at Brougham Castle [Map]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. He married his fourth cousin Isabel Fitzjohn and had issue.
On 7th June 1264 Robert Vipont Lord Westmoreland [aged 32] died at Brougham Castle [Map].
After 12th August 1332 King Edward I of Scotland [aged 49] stayed at Brougham Castle [Map].
In 1367 Margaret Clifford was born to Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford [aged 33] and Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford [aged 32] at Brougham Castle [Map]. She married before 1398 John Melton and had issue.
Around 1372 Philippa Clifford was born to Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford [aged 38] and Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford [aged 37] at Brougham Castle [Map]. She married before 1415 her fourth cousin once removed William Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Groby, son of Henry Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Groby and Joan Hoo Baroness Ferrers Groby, and had issue.
In 1375 William Clifford was born to Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford [aged 41] and Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford [aged 40] at Brougham Castle [Map]. He married 1427 his fourth cousin once removed Anne Bardolf Baroness Cobham Sternborough, daughter of Thomas Bardolf 5th Baron Bardolf and Avice Cromwell Baroness Bardolf.
In 1377 Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke [aged 23] and Catherine Clifford Baroness Greystoke [aged 8] were married at Brougham Castle [Map]. She by marriage Baroness Greystoke. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.
On 13th July 1389 Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford [aged 56] died at Brougham Castle [Map]. His son Thomas [aged 26] succeeded 6th Baron de Clifford. Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford by marriage Baroness de Clifford.
Patent Rolls. 7th February 1462. Westminster. Grant for life to Richard Musgrave the younger [aged 31], esquire, of the office of constable of the king's castle of Burham [Brougham Castle [Map]?], co. Westmoreland, and surveyor of the castle and lordship, with all the accustomed proiits. By p.s.
Around 1495 Margaret Clifford was born to Henry "Shepherd Lord" Clifford 10th Baron Clifford [aged 41] and Anne St John Baroness Clifford at Brougham Castle [Map]. She married in or before 1521 Cuthbert Radclyffe and had issue.
In 1583 George Wharton was born to Philip Wharton 3rd Baron Wharton [aged 28] and Frances Clifford Baroness Wharton at Brougham Castle [Map]. He married in or before 1609 his fourth cousin Anne Manners, daughter of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 31st March 1616. Upon the 31st being Easter Day I received with my Mother in the Chapel at Broome [Map] [sec].
Diary of Anne Clifford. 18th May 1616. Upon the 18th being Saturday in the morning my Lord [aged 27] and I having much talk about these businesses, we agreed that Mr Marsh should go presently down to my Mother and that by him I should write a letter to persuade her to give over her jointure presently to my Lord and that he would give her yearly as much as it was worth.
This day my Lord went from Knole to London.1
Note 1. N.B—my Lord was at London when my mother died but he went to Lewes before he heard of her death.
Upon the 20th went my Child to W. Horsley with Mary Neville and Mr Bathurst from London. Mary Hicken was with her, for still she lain in bed with Lady Margaret.
Upon the 24th being Friday between the hours of 6 and 9 at night died my dear Mother at Broome [Map] in the same chamber where my Father was born, 13 years and 2 months after the death of Queen Elizabeth and 10 years and 7 months after the death of my Father, I being 26 years old and 5 months and the Child 2 years old wanting a month.
At this great meeting at Lewes my Lord Compton (Note: afterwards 1st Earl of Northampton), my Lord Merdaunt (Note: married Lord Compton's sister), Tom Neville, John Herbert and all that Crew with Wat. Raleigh [aged 62], Jack Laurie, and a multitude of such company were there.
There was much Bull Baiting, Bowling, Cards and Dice, with suchlike sports to entertain the time.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 24th May 1616 Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland [aged 55] died at Brougham Castle [Map]. She was buried in St Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmoreland [Map]. Finely carved alabaster. Stuart Hooded Monument, Shroud Monument, with Coronet. By Maximilian Colt [aged 41].
Diary of Anne Clifford. 20th June 1616. Upon the 20th my Lord [aged 27] and I, Dr Layfield and K. Baston went up to London and the same day I passed (by fine before my Lord Hubbard) the inheritance of Westmoreland to my Lord if I had no heirs of my own body, and upon the 21st being Friday my Lord wrote his letters to my Lord William and gave directions to Mr Marsh to go with them and that the possession of Brougham Castle [Map] should be very carefully looked to, the same day he went to Horseley to see the Child at his sisters.1
Note 1. About this time I went into the Tiltyard to see my Lord Knoles where I saw Lady Somerset's [aged 26] little Child. (Note: Afterwards Countess of Bedford. Her Portrait in the Leicester Gallery) being the 1st time I ever saw it.
On 22nd March 1676 Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke [aged 86] died at Brougham Castle [Map]. She was buried in St Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmoreland [Map]. Free-standing with Reredos displaying family tree.
