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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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Duke Somerset is in Dukedoms of England Alphabetically.
1455 First Battle of St Albans
1552 Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters
There have been four creations of Duke Somerset:
1st. 28th August 1443. John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset. Extinct. 30th May 1444.
2nd. 31st March 1448. Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset. Forfeit. 15th May 1464. 15 May 1464 Battle of Hexham.
3rd. 21st February 1499. Edmund Tudor 1st Duke of Somerset. Extinct. 19th June 1500.
4th. 16th February 1547. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset. Extant. 22nd January 1552.
Duke Somerset is also in Dukedoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Dukedoms of England.
Summary
28th August 1443. John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset (age 40) created.
30th May 1444. John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset extinct.
On 28th August 1443 John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset (age 40) was created 1st Duke Somerset, 1st Earl Kendal by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 21). Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 33) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 30th May 1444 John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset (age 41) committed suicide. Suicide not certain but likely. Duke Somerset, Earl Kendal extinct. His brother Edmund (age 38) succeeded 4th Earl Somerset. Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset (age 35) by marriage Countess Somerset.
His only child Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond aged one was his heir. King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 22) granted her wardship to William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 47) who married her to his son John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk (age 1).
Duke Somerset is also in Dukedoms of England Chronologically, Forfeit Dukedoms of England.
Summary
31st March 1448. Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 42) created.
22nd May 1455. Son Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 19) succeeded. See First Battle of St Albans.
4th November 1461. Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset forfeit.
10th March 1463. Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset restored.
15th May 1464. Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset forfeit. See 15 May 1464 Battle of Hexham.
On 31st March 1448 Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 42) was created 1st Duke Somerset. He is sometimes referred to as the 2nd Duke Somerset since his brother John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset was the 1st Duke Somerset of the first creation. Edmund didn't inherit the Dukedom from his brother; it was a new creation. His did inherit the Earldom.
On 22nd May 1455 the Wars of the Roses commenced with the First Battle of St Albans. Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York (age 43) commanded with Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 26), Richard Neville Earl Salisbury (age 55), Edward Brooke 6th Baron Cobham (age 40) and Walter Strickland (age 44).
The Lancastrians...
Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 49) was killed. His son Henry (age 19) succeeded 2nd Duke Somerset, 2nd Marquess Dorset, 5th Earl Somerset, 2nd Earl Dorset. Note his father is frequently incorrectly referred to as the second Duke and Henry as the third Duke. His father's Dukedom, however, was a new creation.
Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland (age 62) was killed. His son Henry (age 33) succeeded 3rd Earl of Northumberland, 6th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 14th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland (age 33) by marriage Countess of Northumberland.
Thomas Clifford 8th Baron Clifford (age 41) was killed. His son John (age 20) succeeded 9th Baron de Clifford, 9th Lord Skipton. Margaret Bromflete Baroness Clifford (age 21) by marriage Baroness de Clifford.
William Cotton (age 45) and Richard Fortescue (age 41) were killed.
Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham (age 52) was wounded and captured.
King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 33), John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley (age 54) and Edmund Sutton (age 30) were captured.
Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset was wounded. James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde (age 34) and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 55) fought.
Richard Cotton of Hampstall Ridware (age 51) and his son William Cotton of Connington in Huntingdonshire (age 27) were killed.
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On 4th November 1461 Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 25) was attainted. Duke Somerset, Marquess Dorset, Earl Somerset, Earl Dorset forfeit.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 10th March 1463 Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 27) was restored 2nd Duke Somerset, 5th Earl Somerset as a consequence of a general pardon.
On 15th May 1464 a Yorkist army commanded by John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 33) defeated a Lancastrian army commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 28) at Hexham, Northumberland [Map] during the Battle of Hexham.
Those fighting for York included John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire (age 36), John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton (age 26) and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 36).
Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset was beheaded following the battle. The general pardon which he has previously received was annulled. Duke Somerset, Marquess Dorset, Earl Somerset and Earl Dorset forfeit for the second time. His son Edmund Beaufort (age 25) was styled by supporters of the House of Lancaster as Duke of Somerset but had not right to do so.
Philip Wentworth (age 40) was executed at Middleham [Map].
Duke Somerset is also in Dukedoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Dukedoms of England.
Summary
21st February 1499. Edmund Tudor 1st Duke of Somerset created.
19th June 1500. Edmund Tudor 1st Duke of Somerset extinct.
On 21st February 1499 Edmund Tudor 1st Duke of Somerset was born to King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 42) and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England (age 33) at the Palace of Placentia, Greenwich [Map] being their sixth child. On 24th February 1499 he was christened at the Church of the Observant Friars, Greenwich [Map]. His godparents were Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 55), Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham (age 21) and Bishop Richard Foxe (age 51), then Bishop of Durham. He is believed to have been created 1st Duke Somerset on the same day although there is no documentation. He died aged one in 1500.
On 19th June 1500 he died at the Royal Palace, Hatfield; possibly of plague of which an outbreak was occurring. He was buried in Westminster Abbey [Map]. Duke Somerset extinct.
Duke Somerset is also in Dukedoms of England Chronologically, Forfeit Dukedoms of England, Extant Dukedoms of England.
Summary
16th February 1547. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 47) created. See Coronation of Edward VI.
22nd January 1552. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset forfeit. See Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters.
24th October 1660. Great Grandson William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 72) restored.
24th October 1660. Grandson William Seymour 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 6) succeeded.
12th December 1671. Uncle John Seymour 4th Duke of Somerset (age 26) succeeded.
29th April 1675. First Cousin Once Removed Francis Seymour 5th Duke of Somerset (age 17) succeeded.
20th April 1678. Brother Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset (age 15) succeeded.
2nd December 1748. Son Algernon Seymour 7th Duke of Somerset (age 64) succeeded.
7th February 1750. Half Fifth Cousin Once Removed Edward Seymour 8th Duke of Somerset (age 55) succeeded.
December 1757. Son Edward Seymour 9th Duke of Somerset (age 40) succeeded.
2nd January 1792. Brother Webb Seymour 10th Duke of Somerset (age 73) succeeded.
15th December 1793. Son Edward Seymour 11th Duke of Somerset (age 18) succeeded.
15th August 1855. Son Edward Adolphus Seymour 12th Duke of Somerset (age 50) succeeded.
28th December 1885. Brother Archibald Seymour 13th Duke of Somerset (age 74) succeeded.
12th January 1891. Brother Algernon St Maur 14th Duke of Somerset (age 77) succeeded.
2nd October 1894. Son Algernon St Maur 15th Duke of Somerset (age 48) succeeded.
22nd October 1923. Third Cousin Once Removed Edward Hamilton Seymour 16th Duke of Somerset (age 63) succeeded.
5th May 1931. Son Evelyn Francis Edward Seymour 17th Duke of Somerset (age 49) succeeded.
26th April 1954. Son Percy Hamilton Seymour 18th Duke of Somerset (age 43) succeeded.
15th November 1984. Son John Michael Edward Seymour 19th Duke of Somerset (age 31) succeeded.
On 16th February 1547, three weeks's after the death of King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (deceased), the new Council promoted themselves...
Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton (age 41) was created 1st Earl of Southampton in accordance with Henry VIII's will for which he was nominated executor. Jane Cheney Countess Southampton (age 38) by marriage Countess of Southampton.
Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 47) was created 1st Duke Somerset. Since he was Protector and head of the Privy Council at the time he effectively created himself Duke. Anne Stanhope Duchess Somerset (age 50) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
William Willoughby 1st Baron Willoughby of Parham (age 32) was created 1st Baron Willoughby Parham. Elizabeth Heneage Baroness Willoughby of Parham (age 29) by marriage Baroness Willoughby Parham.
On 22nd January 1552 Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 52) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. Duke Somerset, Earl Hertford, Viscount Beauchamp forfeit. His great-grandson William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset was restored to the titles in 1660.
Before 24th October 1660 William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 72) was restored 2nd Duke Somerset, 2nd Earl Hertford, 2nd Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset. Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset (age 61) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 24th October 1660 William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset (age 72) died. His grandson William (age 6) succeeded 3rd Duke Somerset, 2nd Marquess Hertford, 3rd Earl Hertford, 3rd Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset.
On 12th December 1671 William Seymour 3rd Duke of Somerset (age 17) died. His uncle John (age 26) succeeded 4th Duke Somerset, 3rd Marquess Hertford, 4th Earl Hertford, 4th Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset. Sarah Alston Duchess Somerset (age 29) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
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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On 29th April 1675 John Seymour 4th Duke of Somerset (age 30) died. He was buried at Salisbury Cathedral [Map]. Marquess Hertford extinct. His first cousin once removed Francis (age 17) succeeded 5th Duke Somerset, 5th Earl Hertford, 5th Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset.
On 20th April 1678 Francis Seymour 5th Duke of Somerset (age 20) was killed. He was unmarried and childless. He was shot dead by Genoese Horatio Botti whose wife Seymour was said to have insulted at Lerici. His brother Charles (age 15) succeeded 6th Duke Somerset, 6th Earl Hertford, 6th Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset, 4th Baron Seymour of Trowbridge.
On 30th May 1682 Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset (age 19) and Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 15) were married. His first marriage, her third having been widowed twice by the age of seventeen. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. Being the sole heiress of her father Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland she brought considerable wealth to the marriage. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 36). They were fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 4th February 1725 Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset (age 62) and Charlotte Finch Duchess Somerset (age 32) were married. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. The difference in their ages was 30 years. She the daughter of Daniel Finch 2nd Earl Nottingham 7th Earl Winchilsea (age 77) and Anne Hatton Countess Nottingham and Winchelsea.
On 2nd December 1748 Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset (age 86) died at Petworth. His son Algernon (age 64) succeeded 7th Duke Somerset, 7th Earl Hertford, 7th Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset, 5th Baron Seymour of Trowbridge. Frances Thynne Duchess Somerset (age 49) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 7th February 1750 Algernon Seymour 7th Duke of Somerset (age 65) died. He was buried at Northumberland Vault, Crypt, Westminster Abbey. Earl Hertford, Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset and Baron Seymour of Trowbridge extinct. His half fifth cousin once removed Edward (age 55) succeeded 8th Duke Somerset. Mary Webb Duchess Somerset (age 53) by marriage Duchess Somerset. His daughter Elizabeth (age 33) succeeded 2nd Baroness Percy. His nephew Charles (age 39) succeeded 2nd Earl Egremont.
In December 1757 Edward Seymour 8th Duke of Somerset (age 62) died. His son Edward (age 40) succeeded 9th Duke Somerset, 7th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Monument to Edward Seymour 8th Duke of Somerset, Edward Seymour 9th Duke of Somerset, Webb Seymour 10th Duke of Somerset (age 38), Edward Seymour 4th Baronet, Edward Seymour 5th Baronet and Laetitia Popham Baroness Seymour at All Saints Church, Maiden Bradley [Map].
On 15th December 1769 Webb Seymour 10th Duke of Somerset (age 51) and Anne Maria Bonnell Duchess Somerset were married. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. He the son of Edward Seymour 8th Duke of Somerset and Mary Webb Duchess Somerset.
On 2nd January 1792 Edward Seymour 9th Duke of Somerset (age 75) died. His brother Webb (age 73) succeeded 10th Duke Somerset, 8th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy.
On 15th December 1793 Webb Seymour 10th Duke of Somerset (age 75) died. His son Edward (age 18) succeeded 11th Duke Somerset, 9th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy.
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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On 24th June 1800 Edward Seymour 11th Duke of Somerset (age 25) and Charlotte Hamilton Duchess Somerset (age 28) were married. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. She the daughter of Archibald Hamilton 9th Duke Hamilton 6th Duke Brandon (age 59) and Harriet Stewart. He the son of Webb Seymour 10th Duke of Somerset and Anne Maria Bonnell Duchess Somerset.
On 28th July 1836 Edward Seymour 11th Duke of Somerset (age 61) and Margaret Shaw Stewart Duchess Somerset were married at Marylebone. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. He the son of Webb Seymour 10th Duke of Somerset and Anne Maria Bonnell Duchess Somerset.
On 15th August 1855 Edward Seymour 11th Duke of Somerset (age 80) died at Somerset House 40 Park Lane. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery [Map]. His son Edward (age 50) succeeded 12th Duke Somerset, 10th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Jane Georgiana Sheridan Duchess Somerset (age 45) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 28th December 1885 Edward Adolphus Seymour 12th Duke of Somerset (age 81) died. His brother Archibald (age 74) succeeded 13th Duke Somerset, 11th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Earl St Maur of Berry Pomeroy in Devon extinct.
On 12th January 1891 Archibald Seymour 13th Duke of Somerset (age 80) died. His brother Algernon (age 77) succeeded 14th Duke Somerset, 12th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Horatia Isabella Harriet Morier Duchess Somerset (age 71) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 2nd October 1894 Algernon St Maur 14th Duke of Somerset (age 80) died. His son Algernon (age 48) succeeded 15th Duke Somerset, 13th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Susan Margaret Richards Mackinnon Duchess Somerset (age 41) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 22nd October 1923 Algernon St Maur 15th Duke of Somerset (age 77) died at Maiden Bradley, Wiltshire. He was buried at Brimble Hill Clump, Bradley House. His third cousin once removed Edward (age 63) succeeded 16th Duke Somerset, 14th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Rowena Wall Duchess Somerset (age 62) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 5th May 1931 Edward Hamilton Seymour 16th Duke of Somerset (age 70) died. His son Evelyn (age 49) succeeded 17th Duke Somerset, 15th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Edith Mary Parker Duchess Somerset (age 50) by marriage Duchess Somerset.
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 26th April 1954 Evelyn Francis Edward Seymour 17th Duke of Somerset (age 71) died. His son Percy (age 43) succeeded 18th Duke Somerset, 16th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Gwendoline Collette Jane Thomas Duchess Somerset by marriage Duchess Somerset.
On 15th November 1984 Percy Hamilton Seymour 18th Duke of Somerset (age 74) died. His son John (age 31) succeeded 19th Duke Somerset, 17th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy. Judith Rose Hull Duchess Somerset by marriage Duchess Somerset.