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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Exton, Rutlandshire, North-Central England, British Isles

Exton, Rutlandshire is in Rutlandshire.

See: Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map], Exton Hall, Rutlandshire.

Around 1384 Robert Harrington was born to John Harrington [aged 15] at Exton, Rutlandshire.

In 1403 Thomas Culpepper was born to Thomas Culpepper [aged 43] at Exton, Rutlandshire.

In 1414 John Harrington was born to Robert Harrington [aged 30] at Exton, Rutlandshire. He married Catherine Culpepper and had issue.

In 1419 Robert Harrington [aged 35] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

In 1421 John Harrington [aged 52] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

In 1448 Henry Southill was born in Exton, Rutlandshire.

In 1450 Catherine Culpepper was born to Thomas Culpepper [aged 47] at Exton, Rutlandshire. She married John Harrington and had issue.

Around 1464 Thomas Culpepper [aged 61] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

Around 1465 Robert Harrington was born to John Harrington [aged 51] and Catherine Culpepper [aged 15] at Exton, Rutlandshire.

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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Around 1476 Catherine Culpepper [aged 26] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

After 1480 John Harrington was born to Robert Harrington [aged 15] at Exton, Rutlandshire. Date adjusted from 1473 to 1480 to be consistent with father's birth in 1465. He married 1500 Alice Southill.

In 1481 John Harrington [aged 67] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

Around 1497 John Alexander Harrington was born to John Harrington [aged 16] at Exton, Rutlandshire. He married in or before 1511 Elizabeth Moton and had issue.

On 10th February 1501 Robert Harrington [aged 36] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

Around 1511 James Harrington was born to John Alexander Harrington [aged 14] and Elizabeth Moton at Exton, Rutlandshire. He married in or before 1540 Lucy Sidney and had issue.

On 5th November 1524 John Harrington [aged 44] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

Around 1591 Lucy Sidney [aged 71] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

On 19th June 1849 James Carnegie 9th Earl Southesk [aged 21] and Catherine Hamilton Noel [aged 19] were married at Exton, Rutlandshire. She the daughter of Charles Noel 1st Earl Gainsborough [aged 67] and Arabella Hamlyn-Williams. He the son of James Carnegie 5th Baronet.

On 10th November 1870 Leland Noel [aged 73] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.

Exton Hall, Rutlandshire, North-Central England, British Isles

In 1611 Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 29] and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 24] at Exton Hall, Rutlandshire. He married (1) 25th December 1632 Anne Feilding, daughter of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (2) June 1636 Ann Lovett Countess Bath (3) 21st December 1639 Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden, daughter of Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton, and had issue (4) 6th July 1655 his second cousin twice removed Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden, daughter of Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey and Martha Cockayne Countess Holderness, and had issue.

In September 1614 Frances Markham [aged 15] died at Exton Hall, Rutlandshire.

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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On 30th August 1615 Henry Noel was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 33] and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 29] at Exton Hall, Rutlandshire. He married (1) 20th November 1637 Susanna Howland (2) 8th November 1642 Mary Perry Lady Fermor.