History of Salisbury is in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
In August 1155 Roger Fitzmiles 2nd Earl Hereford (age 30) and King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) were in Salisbury.
Around 1207 Ida Longespée was born to William Longespée Earl Salisbury (age 31) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 20) at Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married (1) Ralph Somery, son of Ralph Somery 1st Baron Dudley and Margaret Gras Baroness Dudley (2) before 1220 William Beauchamp and had issue.
Letters. 27th May 1208. Letter VII. Eleanor "Fair Maid of Britanny" 4th Countess of Richmond (age 24) to her subjects in Brittany.
Eleanora, duchess of Bretagne and countess of Richmond, to her dear and faithful lords the bishops of Nantes, Vannes, and Cornwall, and to Eudo de Poule, and Geoffry Espine, and Oliver de Rugy, and Pagan de Mal-Estrail, and all other her barons and faithful subjects of Bretagne, greeting.
We give you manifold thanks concerning the things of which you have informed us, and earnestly entreat you that you, the above-named, come to England to my lord and uncle the king of England (age 41); and know you, certainly, that your advent will, God willing, tend to your and our great honour and convenience, and, by God's grace, to our liberation.
We have spoken with our said uncle about affording you a safe-conduct, and he is glad of your coming, and sends you his letters patent of safe-conduct; and you may all come safely by means of those letters - or as many of you as can, if all cannot come.
Witness myself, at Sarum, the 27th day of May.
Around 1216 Stephen Longespée was born to William Longespée Earl Salisbury (age 40) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 29) at Salisbury. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married 1242 Emmeline Riddlesford and had issue.
Around 1222 Ida II Longespée was born to William Longespée Earl Salisbury (age 46) and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury (age 35) at Salisbury. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married her fourth cousin once removed Walter Fitzrobert and had issue.
Around 1223 Emmeline Riddlesford was born to Walter Riddlesford (age 19) in Salisbury. She married (1) 1242 Stephen Longespée, son of William Longespée Earl Salisbury and Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury, and had issue (2) 1242 Hugh de Lacy and had issue.
After 11th May 1262 Ida II Longespée (deceased) died at Salisbury.
In 1293 Otho Grandison was born to William Grandison 1st Baron Grandison (age 31) and Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison at Salisbury. He married before 1339 Beatrice Malemayne and had issue.
On 24th February 1297 John Moels 1st Baron Moels (age 28) summoned to attend the King at Salisbury.
Around 1350 Simon Montagu was born to John Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Baron Monthermer (age 20) and Margaret Monthermer Baroness Montagu 3rd Baroness Monthermer at Salisbury. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England. He married Elizabeth Broughton and had issue.
Around 1362 John St John was born to John St John at Salisbury.
In 1387 Walter Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 26) and Agnes Crophull (age 15) at Salisbury. He married Elizabeth Merbury and had issue.
Around 1389 Richard Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 28) and Agnes Crophull (age 17) at Salisbury.
Around 1391 Stephen Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 30) and Agnes Crophull (age 19) at Salisbury.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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Around 1393 Roger Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 32) and Agnes Crophull (age 21) at Salisbury.
Around 1395 Margaret Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 34) and Agnes Crophull (age 23) at Salisbury.
Around 1395 Joan Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 34) and Agnes Crophull (age 23) at Salisbury. She married Thomas Swynford.
Around 1399 Thomas Devereux was born to Walter Devereux (age 38) and Agnes Crophull (age 27) at Salisbury.
On 14th January 1415 Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury died in Salisbury.
On 9th August 1449 Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford (age 71) died at Salisbury. He was buried at the Hungerford Chapel at Salisbury Cathedral [Map]. His son Robert (age 49) succeeded 2nd Baron Hungerford. Margaret Botreaux 4th Baroness Botreaux Baroness Hungerford by marriage Baroness Hungerford.
Around 1466 Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns was born to Thomas Hungerford and Anne Percy (age 22) at Salisbury. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She married (1) 4th September 1475 her second cousin once removed Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns, son of William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings and Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings, and had issue (2) 1st May 1509 Richard Sacheverell Baron Hungerford, Botreaux and Moleyns and had issue.
In 1466 Anne Neville was born to John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 35) and Isabel Ingaldsthorpe (age 25) at Salisbury. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She married after 15th October 1479 her fourth cousin once removed William Stonor and had issue.
Around April 1497 Cornish rose in rebellion against taxes being raised by King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 40) to support his wars against Scotland and against changes to the operation and privileges of the Cornish tin mining industry. The rebel army of 15,000 sought to replace Henry's ministers who they saw as responsible for the taxation: Cardinal John Morton (age 77) and Reginald Bray (age 57), the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The army travelled from Cornwall through Devon and Somerset attempting, unsuccessfully, to recruit more men. At Wells, Somerset [Map] they were joined by James Tuchet 7th Baron Audley, 4th Baron Tuchet (age 34) who took on command. The rebel army then travelled through Salisbury and Winchester, Hampshire [Map].
When Henry became aware of the rebel army he diverted his main army led by Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney (age 46) to meet the rebels. Daubeny's army camped at Hounslow Heath [Map] on 13th June 1497.
In 1515 Robert Keilway (age 32) was elected Mayor of Salisbury.
On 16th March 1557 Charles Stourton 8th Baron Stourton (age 37) and four of his servants were executed at Salisbury for the murder of William Hartgill and his son John Hartgill. His son John (age 4) succeeded 9th Baron Stourton. See Newgate Calendar.
In 1592 Bishop Alexander Hyde was born to Lawrence Hyde (age 30) at Salisbury.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 1600 Thomas Chiffinch Keeper of the King's Closet was born to Unknown Chiffinch in Salisbury. He married before 25th November 1637 Dorothy Thanet.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th July 1654. We proceeded to Salisbury; the cathedral [Map] I take to be the most complete piece of Gothic work in Europe, taken in all its uniformity. The Pillars, reputed to be cast, are of stone manifestly cut out of the quarry; most observable are those in the chapter house. There are some remarkable. Monuments, particularly the ancient Bishops, founders of the Church, Knights Templars, the Marquis of Hertford's, the cloisters of the palace and garden, and the great mural dial.
In July 1665 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 35) travelled to Salisbury during the Great Plague of London.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27th July 1665. So dispatched all my business, having assurance of continuance of all hearty love from Sir W. Coventry (age 37), and so we staid and saw the King (age 35) and Queene (age 55) set out toward Salisbury, and after them the Duke (age 31) and Duchesse (age 28), whose hands I did kiss. And it was the first time I did ever, or did see any body else, kiss her hand, and it was a most fine white and fat hand. But it was pretty to see the young pretty ladies dressed like men, in velvet coats, caps with ribbands, and with laced bands, just like men. Only the Duchesse herself it did not become.
Calendar of State Papers Charles II 1665 08 Aug 1665. 8th August 1665. Salisbury. 65. The King (age 35) to the Lord General (age 56) and Sir George Carteret (age 55). Authorizes them to treat with the farmers of tin for the sale or deposit for a year of 500 tons of tin, to be sent to Flanders and sold to meet the second payment which Alderman Backwell (age 47) has to make there. They are to agree with the farmers as best they can, giving tallies on the Royal aid to secure repayment, to conclude the contract at once, the pressing importance of the service admitting no delay, and to have vessels and convoys ready to transmit the tin to Ostend. [Ent. Book 17, p. 125.]
Calendar of State Papers Charles II 1665 08 Aug 1665. 8th August 1665. Salisbury. 63. Draft of the above. The King to the Farmers of tin. Having determined to raise money beyond seas by sale of tin, has authorized the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) and Sir George Carteret (age 55) to treat with them for sale or deposit of 500 tons, on good security for their forbearance. The occasion being pressing, admits of no return nor reply. [£nt. Book 17, p. 124.]
Calendar of State Papers Charles II 1665 08 Aug 1665. 8th August 1665. Salisbury. The King (age 35) to the Lord General (age 56). Alderman Backwell (age 47) being in great straits for the second payment he has to make for the service in Flanders, as much tin is to be transmitted to him as will raise the sum. Has authorized him and Sir George Carteret (age 55) to treat with the tin farmers for 500 tons of tin to be speedily transported under good convoy; but if on consulting with Alderman Backwell, this plan of the tin seems insufficient, then without further difficulty, he is to dispose for that purpose of the £10,000. assigned for pay of the Guards, not doubting that before that comes due, other ways will be found for supplying it; the payment in Flanders is of such importance that some means must be found of providing for it. [Ent. Book 17, pp. 122-3.]
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 12th August 1665. And my Lord Mayor commands people to be within at nine at night all, as they say, that the sick may have liberty to go abroad for ayre. There is one also dead out of one of our ships at Deptford, Kent [Map], which troubles us mightily; the Providence fire-ship, which was just fitted to go to sea. But they tell me to-day no more sick on board. And this day W. Bodham tells me that one is dead at Woolwich, Kent [Map], not far from the Rope-yard [Map]. I am told, too, that a wife of one of the groomes at Court is dead at Salsbury; so that the King (age 35) and Queene (age 55) are speedily to be all gone to Milton. God preserve us!
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 10th June 1668. Thence set out with a guide, who saw us to Newmarket-heath, and then left us, 3s. 6d. So all over the Plain by the sight of the steeple, the Plain high and low, to Salisbury, by night; but before I come to the town, I saw a great fortification, and there 'light, and to it and in it; and find it prodigious, so as to frighten me to be in it all alone at that time of night, it being dark. I understand, since, it to be that, that is called Old Sarum [Map]. Come to the George Inne [Map], where lay in a silk bed; and very good diet. To supper; then to bed.
On 7th March 1685 Giles Hungerford (age 70) died at Coulston, Wiltshire. He was buried in Salisbury.
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th November 1688. It was now a very hard frost. The King (age 55) goes to Salisbury to rendezvous the army, and return to London. Lord Delamere (age 36) appears for the Prince (age 38) in Cheshire. The nobility meet in Yorkshire. The Archbishop of Canterbury (age 71) and some Bishops, and such Peers as were in London, address his Majesty to call a Parliament. The King invites all foreign nations to come over. The French take all the Palatinate, and alarm the Germans more than ever.
On 21st April 1696 Daubigny Turberville (age 84) died at Salisbury. He was buried at Salisbury Cathedral [Map].
On 21st April 1746 James Harris 1st Earl Malmesbury was born to James Harris (age 36) and Elizabeth Clarke and Elizabeth Clarke at Salisbury. He married 1777 Harriet Maria Amyand Countess Malmesbury, daughter of George Amyand 1st Baronet and Anna Maria Korteen Lady Amyand, and had issue.
On 1st December 1800 Rear-Admiral John Stanhope (age 56) died at Salisbury. He was buried at St Thomas' Church, Salisbury [Map].
The Wiltshire River Avon is formed from the confluence of the River Avon West, Wiltshire and River Avon East, Wiltshire one kilometre before Upavon, Wiltshire [Map] after which it flows broadly south past East Chisenbury, Wiltshire [Map], Enford, Wiltshire [Map], Fifield, Wiltshire [Map], Fittleton, Wiltshire [Map], Netheravon, Wiltshire [Map], Figheldean, Wiltshire [Map], Durrington Walls, around Amesbury, Wiltshire [Map] and past Amesbury Abbey, Wiltshire [Map], Wilsford, Wiltshire [Map], Great Durnford, Wiltshire [Map], Middle Woodford, Wiltshire [Map], Little Durnford, Wiltshire [Map], Old Sarum [Map], Stratford sub Castle, Wiltshire [Map], through Salisbury where it is joined by the River Nadder
After Salisbury the Wiltshire River Avon flows south in multiple channels past Longford Castle, Wiltshire [Map], after which it is joined by the River Eble, then Charlton-All-Saints, Wiltshire [Map], Downton, Wiltshire [Map], Breamore, Hampshire [Map], Burgate, Hampshire [Map], Fordingbridge, Hampshire [Map], Bickton, Hampshire [Map], Ibsley, Hampshire [Map], Ringwood, Hampshire [Map], Bistern, Hampshire [Map], Sopley, Hampshire [Map], Avon, Dorset [Map] and Christchurch, Dorset [Map] before reaching Christchurch Harbour where it joins the English Channel.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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The River Bourne rises at West Grafton, Wiltshire [Map] from where it flows past Collingbourne Kingston, Wiltshire [Map], Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire [Map], Tidworth, Wiltshire [Map], Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire [Map], Cholderton, Wiltshire [Map], Newton Tony, Wiltshire [Map], Allington, Wiltshire [Map], Boscombe, Wiltshire [Map], West Gomeldon, Wiltshire [Map], Laverstock, Wiltshire [Map] after which it joins the Wiltshire River Avon at Salisbury.
The River Nadder rises at Wincombe Park, Wiltshire [Map] from where it flows past Donhead St Andrew, Wiltshire [Map], Wardour, Wiltshire [Map], where it is joined by the River Sem, Tisbury, Wiltshire [Map], Upper [Map] and Lower [Map] Chicksgrove, Teffont Evias, Wiltshire [Map], Barford St Martin, Wiltshire [Map], Burcombe, Wiltshire [Map] and Wilton, Wiltshire [Map], where it is joined by the River Wylye, past Quidhampton, Wiltshire [Map] after which if joins the Wiltshire River Avon at Salisbury.