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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Okehampton, Devon is in Devon.
On 25th March 1251 Hugh Courtenay 3rd Baron Okehampton was born to John Courtenay 2nd Baron Okehampton (age 26) and Isabel Vere Baroness Okehampton (age 29) at Okehampton, Devon. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. He married before 14th September 1276 his half fifth cousin Eleanor Despencer Baroness Okehampton, daughter of Hugh Despencer and Aline Basset, and had issue.
Around 1283 Isabel Courtenay Baroness St John of Basing was born to Hugh Courtenay 3rd Baron Okehampton (age 31) and Eleanor Despencer Baroness Okehampton (age 25) at Okehampton, Devon. She married in or before 1304 John St John 1st Baron St John of Basing and had issue.
On 11th August 1300 Isabel Vere Baroness Okehampton (age 78) died at Okehampton, Devon. She was buried at Exeter Cathedral [Map].
In 1435 John Courtenay 7th or 15th Earl Devon was born to Thomas Courtenay 5th or 13th Earl Devon (age 21) and Margaret Beaufort Countess Devon (age 26) at Okehampton, Devon. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. He married before 2nd February 1461 his second cousin once removed Laura Bourchier Countess Devon, daughter of Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex.
In 1722 John Crowley (age 32) was elected MP Okehampton during the 1722 General Election.
In 1735 George Lyttelton 1st Baron Lyttelton (age 25) was elected MP Okehampton.
In 1768 Thomas Brand (age 51) was elected MP Okehampton.
In 1830 Edward Adolphus Seymour 12th Duke of Somerset (age 25) was elected MP Okehampton.
On 9th February 1643 Sidney Godolphin (age 33) was shot and killed during a skirmish at Chagford, Devon. He was buried at All Saints Church Okehampton, Devon.
On 10th October 1582 James Blount 6th Baron Mountjoy (age 49) died in Hook Okehampton, Devon. His son William (age 21) succeeded 7th Baron Mountjoy.
Okehampton Castle is also in Castles in Devon.
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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Okehampton Castle [Map]. G Townsend.
Okehampton Castle [Map]. G Townsend.
Around 1164 Egelina Courtenay was born to Renaud Courtenay (age 39) and Hawise Courcy at Okehampton Castle [Map]. She married Gilbert Basset and had issue.
Around 1170 Robert Courtenay 1st Baron Okehampton was born to Renaud Courtenay (age 45) and Hawise Courcy at Okehampton Castle [Map]. He married after 1196 his sixth cousin Mary Vernon Redvers Baroness Okehampton, daughter of William Redvers 5th Earl Devon and Mable de Beaumont, and had issue.
Okehampton Castle [Map]. Thomas Allom, 1831.