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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MP Morpeth is in Member Parliament.
In 1572 Richard Drake (age 37) was elected MP Morpeth.
In 1626 John Bankes (age 37) was elected MP Morpeth.
In November 1640 John Fenwick (age 38) was elected MP Morpeth.
In 1666 Edward Howard 2nd Earl Carlisle (age 19) was elected MP Morpeth.
In 1701 John Delaval 3rd Baronet (age 46) was elected MP Morpeth which seat he held until 1702.
In 1710 Christopher Wandesford 2nd Viscount Castlecomer (age 25) was elected MP Morpeth which seat he held until 1713.
In 1713 John Germain 1st Baronet (age 62) was elected MP Morpeth.
In 1717 George Carpenter 2nd Baron Carpenter (age 22) was elected MP Morpeth.
In 1774 William Byron 5th Baron Byron (age 51) contested MP Morpeth on the Carlisle interest. He was defeated, but seated as Member of Parliament on petition on 28 January 1775. There is no record of any vote or speech by him in the eighteen months he was in Parliament.
In 1796 William Huskisson (age 25) was elected MP Morpeth.
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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In 1806 William Howard (age 24) was elected MP Morpeth.
In 1826 George Howard 7th Earl Carlisle (age 23) was elected MP Morpeth which seat he held until 1830.