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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Societies is in England.
On 7th November 1779 Joseph Sabine [aged 9] was elected Fellow of the Linnean Society of London.
In 1788 the Linnean Society of London by botanist Sir James Edward Smith. The society takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, the 'father of taxonomy'.
In 1820 the Royal Astronomical Society was founded as Astronomical Society of London.
In 1828 John Lubbock 3rd Baronet [aged 24] became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
In 1831 the Astronomical Society of London became the Royal Astronomical Society upon receiving a Royal Charter from King William IV of the United Kingdom [aged 65].
Henry George Herbert 2nd Earl Carnarvon was appointed Vice President of the Royal Horticultural Society.
From 1810 to 1830 Joseph Sabine [aged 39] was appointed honourary secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society.
In 1912 Adrian Jones [aged 66] became a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors. He was elected Fellow in 1923.
In 1818 Henry Gastineau [aged 27] the Society of Painters in Water-colours when he exhibited for the first time.
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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In 1821 Henry Gastineau [aged 30] was appointed Associate of the Society of Painters in Water-colours.
In 1823 Henry Gastineau [aged 32] was appointed Member of the Society of Painters in Water-colours.
In 1710 Maurice Johnson [aged 22] founded the Spalding Gentlemen's Society.
Memoirs of Sir Isaac Newton's Life. 20th February 1721. A Lincolnshire feast was held at the Ship tavern, Temple bar. when I went into the dining room above stairs, where the better sort of company was; it was talkd, that there was an old gentleman belowstairs whom they fancied to be Sir Isaac Newton [aged 78]. I instantly went down, & finding it to be so, sat down with him. they above sent to desire us to walk up into the chief room. I answerd, the chief room was where Sir Isaac Newton sat. upon which the upper room was immediately left to the ordinary company, and the better sort came to us.
Sir Isaac enjoy'd himself extremely in this society of his countrymen; & talkd much, & pleasantly. particularly I remember one part of the conversation turn'd upon musick, of which Sir Isaac was fond; & of the opera's then beginning to be in vogue among us. it was no wonder, his soul should be delighted with harmony. Sir Isaac said they were very fine entertainments; but that "there was too much of a good thing; it was like a surfiet at dinner. I went to the last opera," says he, "The first act gave me the greatest pleasure. The second quite tired me: at the third I ran away." He left 5 guineas, & desired the stewards to call upon him for every subscription relating to his countrymen .
About this time upon the request of my friend Mr Maurice Johnson, he readily enterd himself a member of the literary society at Spalding, which still subsists. he made them a present of books: desirous of incouraging every laudable attempt to promote learning, in any branch.
He carryed me with him in his chariot to see the coinage at the Mint, in the Tower: their method of weighing to an extreme nicety, & the rest of thir operations.
In 1723 George Lynn [aged 16] joined the Spalding Gentlemen's Society.
On 18th May 1727 Henry Hare 3rd Baron Coleraine [aged 34] was elected a member of Spalding Gentlemen's Society.
In 1730 Samuel Pegge [aged 25] was elected to the Spalding Gentlemen's Society.
In 1733 Smart Lethieullier [aged 31] was elected a Member of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society.
Before 1749 Edward Bellamy joined the Spalding Gentlemen's Society.