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.
Paternal Family Tree: Capet
Maternal Family Tree: Dangereuse Ile Bouchard Viscountess Chatellerault 1079-1151
23rd May 1200 [his father] King Louis VIII of France [aged 12] and [his mother] Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 12] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Alfonso VIII King Castile [aged 44] and [his grandmother] Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile [aged 38]. He the son of King Philip II of France [aged 34] and Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France. They were third cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 8th November 1226 [his father] King Louis VIII of France [aged 39] died. His son [his brother] Louis [aged 12] succeeded IX King France: Capet.
On 21st March 1227 King Charles Capet of Sicily was born to [his father] King Louis VIII of France and [his mother] Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 39]. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 27th May 1234 [his brother] King Louis IX of France [aged 20] and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Provence Queen Consort France [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Raymond IV Count Provence [aged 36] and [his future mother-in-law] Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence [aged 36]. He the son of [his father] King Louis VIII of France and Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 46]. They were half third cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1237 [his brother] Alphonse Count Poitiers II Count Toulouse [aged 16] and [his sister-in-law] Joan Countess of Toulouse [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of Raymond Rouerge VII Count Toulouse [aged 39] and Sancha Barcelona Countess Toulouse. He the son of [his father] King Louis VIII of France and [his mother] Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 48]. They were second cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 31st January 1246 King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 18] and Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 15] were married. She the daughter of Raymond IV Count Provence and Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence [aged 48]. He the son of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 57]. They were half third cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1248 [his son] Louis Capet was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 20] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 17] at Nicosia. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1250 [his daughter] Blanche Capet Countess Flanders was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 22] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 19]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married 1265 her third cousin Robert Dampierre III Count Flanders, son of Guy Dampierre Count Flanders and Mathilde Bethune.
On 8th February 1250 the Battle of Mansoura was fought between Crusaders led by [his brother] King Louis IX of France [aged 35] commanded by Robert Capet Count of Artois [aged 33] and Ayyubid forces.
Robert Capet Count of Artois and William Longespée [aged 42] were killed.
Alexander Giffard fought; possibly killed.
On 6th April 1250 the Battle of Fariskur was the last major battle of the Seventh Crusade. The Crusader army was defeated. King Louis IX of France [aged 35] and his two brothers Alphonse Count Poitiers II Count Toulouse [aged 29] and King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 23] were captured.
On 8th May 1250 King Louis IX of France [aged 36] and his two brothers Alphonse Count Poitiers II Count Toulouse [aged 29] and King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 23] with 12,000 fellow prisoners were allowed to leave for Acre [Map] after paying a ransom of 400,000 dinars.
In 1252 [his daughter] Beatrice Capet was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 24] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 21]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married her second cousin once removed Philip Courtenay, son of Baldwin Courtenay and Marie Brienne.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 27th November 1252 [his mother] Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 64] died.
In 1254 [his son] Charles II King Naples was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 26] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 23]. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married 1270 Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples and had issue.
In 1256 [his son] Philip Capet was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 28] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 25]. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married 28th May 1271 Isabella Villehardouin.
On 27th May 1257 [his sister-in-law] Sanchia Provence Queen Consort Germany [aged 29] was crowned Queen Consort Germany at Aachen Cathedral, Aachen aka Aix-le-Chapelle.
In 1258 [his son] Robert Capet was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 30] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 27]. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He died aged seven in 1265.
In 1261 [his daughter] Elizabeth Capet was born to King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 33] and [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 30]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married before September 1272 Ladislav Unknown.
On 9th November 1261 [his sister-in-law] Sanchia Provence Queen Consort Germany [aged 33] died at Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire [Map].
In 1265 [his son-in-law] Robert Dampierre III Count Flanders [aged 16] and [his daughter] Blanche Capet Countess Flanders [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Flanders. He the son of Guy Dampierre Count Flanders [aged 39] and Mathilde Bethune. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1265 [his son] Robert Capet [aged 7] died.
On 26th February 1266 the Battle of Benevento was fought between King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 38] and Manfred King Sicily [aged 34]. Manfred King Sicily was killed. His fifth cousin Charles succeeded King Sicily. [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 35] by marriage Queen Consort Sicily.
In 1267 [his wife] Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily [aged 36] died.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
After 23rd August 1268 Guy Montfort Count Nola [aged 24] was created 1st Count Nola by King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 41] as a reward for his performance at the Battle of Tagliacozzo
In November 1268 King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 41] and Margaret Burgundy Queen Consort Sicily [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Sicily. The difference in their ages was 22 years. He the son of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France. They were third cousin twice removed. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In July 1269 [his daughter] Blanche Capet Countess Flanders [aged 19] died.
In 1270 [his son] Charles II King Naples [aged 16] and [his daughter-in-law] Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples [aged 13] were married.
On 20th August 1270 King Edward I of England [aged 31] and Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England [aged 29] sailed from Dover, Kent [Map] to Tunis [Map] via Sicily [Map]. On arrival at Sicily [Map] King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 43], brother of the recently deceased King Louis IX of France [aged 56], had signed a treaty with the Emir so Edward returned to Sicily [Map].
On 25th August 1270 [his brother] King Louis IX of France [aged 56] died. His son [his nephew] Philip [aged 25] succeeded III King France: Capet. Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France [aged 22] by marriage Queen Consort France.
On 13th March 1271 Henry "Almain" Cornwall [aged 35] was murdered while attending mass at the Chiesa di San Silvestro, Viterbo by his cousins Simon "Younger" Montfort and Guy Montfort Count Nola [aged 27] in revenge for the deaths of their father Simon and older brother Henry at the Battle of Evesham.
The murder was carried out in the presence of the Cardinals, who were conducting a papal Election, [his nephew] King Philip III of France [aged 25], and King Charles of Sicily [aged 43]. The Montfort brothers were excommunicated.
Henry "Almain" Cornwall was buried in Hailes Abbey [Map].
The deed is mentioned by Dante Alighieri some forty years after in the Divine Comedy who placed Guy de Montfort in the seventh circle of hell.
On 28th May 1271 [his son] Philip Capet [aged 15] and [his daughter-in-law] Isabella Villehardouin [aged 11] were married.
On 21st August 1271 [his brother] Alphonse Count Poitiers II Count Toulouse [aged 50] died.
Before September 1272 [his son-in-law] Ladislav Unknown and [his daughter] Elizabeth Capet [aged 11] were married.
On 17th November 1275 [his daughter] Beatrice Capet [aged 23] died.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 1st January 1277 [his son] Philip Capet [aged 21] died.
Letters. 1279. Letter XVII. [his former sister-in-law] Eleanora Queen-Dowager of England [aged 56] to her son Edward I [aged 39].
Eleanora, by God's grace queen of England, to our dear son Edward, by the same grace king of England, health and our blessing.
Know, sweet son, that we have understood that a marriage is in agitation between the son of the King of Sicily [aged 51] and the daughter of the King of Germany [aged 60]; and, if this alliance is made, we may well be disturbed in the right that we have to the fourth part of Provence, which thing would be great damage to us, and this damage would be both ours and yours. Where fore we pray and require you, that you will specially write to the aforesaid king, that since Provence is held from the empire, and his dignity demands that he should have right done to us about it, he will regard the right that we have, and cause us to hold it. Of this thing we especially require you, and we commend you to God.
In 1280 [his sister-in-law] Yolande Burgundy II Countess Nevers and Flanders [aged 33] died.
On 7th January 1285 King Charles Capet of Sicily [aged 57] died.
In 1308 [his former wife] Margaret Burgundy Queen Consort Sicily [aged 58] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings England: Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 10 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry I King of the Franks 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia
Great x 2 Grandfather: Louis VI King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Floris Gerulfing I Count Holland 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gertrude Billung Countess Holland
Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis VII King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I Count Burgundy 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy
GrandFather: King Philip II of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald Blois III Count Blois 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Stephen Blois II Count Blois and Chartres
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gersenda Maine Countess Blois
Great x 2 Grandfather: Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King William "Conqueror" I of England 
-2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Adela Normandy Countess Blois Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Adèle Queen of the Franks Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Engelbert II Duke of Carinthia
Great x 2 Grandmother: Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois
Father: King Louis VIII of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin II Count Hainaut
Great x 3 Grandfather: Baldwin Flanders III Count Hainaut
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Reginar Countess Hainaut
Great x 2 Grandfather: Baldwin Flanders IV Count Hainaut
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gerald I Count Guelders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Yolande Guelders Countess Hainault
Great x 1 Grandfather: Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut
Great x 4 Grandfather: Albert Namur III Count Namur
Great x 3 Grandfather: Godfrey Namur I Count Namur
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Billung Countess Namur
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Namur Countess Hainault
Great x 4 Grandfather: Conrad Luxemburg Count Luxemburg 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ermesinde Luxemburg Countess Namur
Great x 4 Grandmother: Clementia Aquitaine Countess Luxemburg
GrandMother: Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gerard Metz I Duke Lorraine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Theodoric "Valiant" Metz II Duke Lorraine
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hedwige Namur Duchess Lorraine
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thierry Count Flanders
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert "The Frisian" I Count Flanders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gertrude Flanders Duchess Lorraine
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gertrude Billung Countess Holland
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulk "Réchin" Anjou 4th Count Anjou 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulk "Young" King Jerusalem
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bertrade Montfort Queen Consort France
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sibylla Anjou Countess Essex
Great x 4 Grandfather: Elias I Count Maine
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ermengarde of Maine Countess of Anjou
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Chateau Du Loir Countess Maine
King Charles Capet of Sicily Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I Count Burgundy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Raymond Ivrea
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile
Great x 3 Grandmother: Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Sancho III King Castile
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ramon Berenguer "Towhead" Barcelona II Count Barcelona
Great x 3 Grandfather: Raymond III Count Barcelona
Great x 2 Grandmother: Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Gevaudan
Great x 3 Grandmother: Douce Gevaudan Countess Barcelona
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gerberga Arles
GrandFather: Alfonso VIII King Castile
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho Jiménez
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ramiro Jiménez
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constanza Unknown
Great x 2 Grandfather: García "Restorer" IV King Navarre
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rodrigo Díaz Vivar
Great x 3 Grandmother: Cristina Rodríguez Vivar
Great x 1 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile
Great x 4 Grandfather: Engenulphe Aigle
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Aigle Lord Aigle
Great x 4 Grandmother: Richvaride Unknown
Great x 2 Grandmother: Marguerite Aigle Queen Consort Navarre
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Chateaudun II Count Mortain III Count Perche
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juliette du Perche Chateaudun
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrix de Ramerupt Montdidier Countess Mortain and Perche
Mother: Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulk "Réchin" Anjou 4th Count Anjou
Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulk "Young" King Jerusalem
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bertrade Montfort Queen Consort France
Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy
Great x 4 Grandfather: Elias I Count Maine
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ermengarde of Maine Countess of Anjou
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Chateau Du Loir Countess Maine
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King William "Conqueror" I of England -2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Henry I "Beauclerc" England Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Empress Matilda Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Malcolm III of Scotland 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Edith aka Matilda Dunkeld Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland
GrandMother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy William Poitiers VIII Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hildegarde Burgundy Duchess Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Rouerge Duke Narbonne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandmother: Emma Mortain Duchess Narbonne
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Aimery Chatellerault Viscount Châtellerault
Great x 2 Grandmother: Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bartholomew Île Bouchard
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dangereuse Ile Bouchard Viscountess Chatellerault