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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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17 Feb is in February.
Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 17th February 1070. By the advice of William (age 50), earl of Hereford, and some others, king William (age 42), during Lent [17th February], caused all the monasteries of England to be searched, and the money deposited in them by the richer sort of the English, for security against his violence and rapacity, to be seized and carried to his own treasury.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough. In the same year, the lord John de Bulmer, a valiant knight and an excellent neighbour, died on the 13th day before the Kalends of March [17th February 1299], and he was buried at Guisborough, before the altar of Saint John the Baptist.
Eodem anno obiit dominus Johannes de Bulmer, miles strenuus, vicinus peroptimus, XIII kalendas Martii; et sepultus est apud Gysburne coram altare Sancti Johannis Baptistæ.
Close Rolls Edward II 1307-1313. 24th January 1308 King Edward II of England (age 23). Canterbury, Kent [Map]. To the Sheriffs of London. Order to deliver John de la Dune, Roger de Hopton, Richard le Harpour, Roger de Soppewalle, Roger le Keu, Rober le Hunt, Thomas de Sydenham, Henry le Gardener, Thomas de la More, Philip Kemp, John le Wayt, and John le Wodeward, the men and servants of Adam de Kyngeshemede, in the King's prison of Newgate [Map] for a trespass committed by them upon the King's men at Westminster [Map], from prison upon their finding sufficient mainpernor's to have them before the King or his Lieutenant in the quinzaine of the Purification of St Mary to stand to right concerning the said trespass. Witness: Piers Gaveston 1st Earl Cornwall (age 24).
Rymer's Fœdera Volume 2. Again, concerning those who were of the quarrel of the late Earl of Lancaster, likewise regarding restitution to be made.
The King, to the Sheriff of Gloucester, greeting.
Because in our present parliament convened at Westminster it has been agreed by us and by the prelates, earls, barons, magnates, and the community of our realm there assembled, that all those who, in the time of Lord Edward, late King of England, our father, were of the quarrel of Thomas, then Earl of Lancaster, in prosecuting Hugh le Despenser the Younger and Hugh le Despenser the Elder, shall have again their lands and tenements, both those which they held in demesne and those in reversion, together with liberties, fees, bailiwicks, offices, advowsons of churches, and all other things belonging to them, in England, Wales, and Ireland, which, on account of the said quarrel, were seized into the hand of our said father as forfeited; into whose hands soever the said lands, tenements, liberties, fees, bailiwicks, offices, and advowsons came, whether into the hands of minors or of others, by feoffment or in any other way;
And likewise the issues and arrears of farms for which answer was not made to our said father; and also their goods and chattels still found and in our hand, because the said quarrel, in our said parliament, has been adjudged by us and the whole of our parliament to have been good and just, and the judgments rendered against those who were of the said quarrel wholly annulled;
We command you that you resume into our hand without delay the lands and tenements of William de Kaerdiff, together with their liberties, fees, bailiwicks, offices, advowsons, and other appurtenances, in your bailiwick, both within liberties and without, which on account of the said quarrel were taken into the hand of our said father, into whose hands soever they came, whether into the hands of minors or of others, by feoffment or otherwise; and that you cause them to be delivered to the aforesaid William, together with the issues and arrears of the farms of the said lands and tenements, for which answer was not made to our said father, and also his goods and chattels, if any are in your custody, to be held as he held the said lands and tenements before the aforesaid seizure. Lands which were of the Templars, however, which were seized into the hand of our said father for certain causes, are excepted.
For we will that you, the farmers and custodians of the said lands and tenements, be discharged thereof as against us. Nevertheless, it is not the intention of us and our council that those of the said quarrel who sold, released, or quitclaimed their lands and tenements of their own free will shall be restored to those lands and tenements thus sold by this concord.
Witness the King, at Westminster, the 17th day of February [1327].
By petition of the council.
In the same manner mandate was given to the sheriffs underwritten, for the persons underwritten, namely: [Incomplete], to the Sheriff of Oxfordshire, concerning Thomas de Gurney.
Adhuc pro illis qui fuerunt de querelâ nuper comitis Lancastriæ, de restitutione pariter faciendâ.
Rex, vicecomiti Glouc', salutem. Quia, in præsenti parliamento nostro, apud Westm' convocato, concordatum est per nos & prælatos, comites, barones, magnates, & communitatem regni nostri, ibidem existentes, quod omnes illi, qui tempore domini E. nuper Regis Angliæ, patris nostri, de querelâ Thomæ tunc comitis Lancastr', fuerunt, ad prosequendum Hugonem le Despenser juniorem, & Hugonem le Despenser seniorem, rehabeant terras & tenementa sua, tam ea quæ habuerunt in dominico, quam in reversionibus; unà cum libertatibus, feodis, ballivis, officiis, advocationibus ecclesiarum, & omnibus aliis ad ea spectantibus, in Anglia, Walliâ, & Hiberniâ, quæ, occasione dictæ querelæ, in manum dicti patris nostri, tanquam sibi forisfacta, capta & seisita fuerunt, in quorumcumque manibus terræ illæ & tenementa, libertates, feoda, ballivæ, officia, & advocationes devenerint, sive ad manus puerorum, infra ætatem existentium, sive aliorum, per feoffamentum, vel alio modo:
Necnon exitus & arreragia firmarum, de quibus præfato patri nostro responsum non fuit; ac etiam bona & catalla sua, adhuc inventa, & in manu nostrâ existentia, pro eo quod querela prædicta, in dicto parliamento nostro, per nos & totum parliamentum nostrum, bona & justa adjudicata est; & judicia versus illos, qui de dictâ querelâ fuerunt, reddita, penitus adnullata;
Tibi præcipimus quod terras & tenementa Willielmi de Kaerdiff, unà cum libertatibus, feodis, ballivis, officiis, & advocationibus, & aliis pertinentiis suis, in ballivâ tuâ, tam infra libertates quam extra, quæ, occasione dictæ querelæ, in manum dicti patris nostri capta fuerunt, in quorumcummanibus devenerint, sive ad manus puerorum, infra ætatem existenque tium sive aliorum, per feoffamentorum, vel alio modo, sine dilatione in manum nostram resumas, & ea præfato Willielmo, unà cum exitibus & arreragiis firmarum, terrarum, & tenementorum eorumdem, de quibus dicto patri nostro non est responsum, & etiam bonis & catallis suis, si quæ in custodiâ tuâ existant, liberari facias, tenenda prout dicta terras & tenementa tenuit ante captionem prædictam; exceptis terris quæ fuerunt Templariorum, quæ in manum dicti patris nostri, certis ex causis, capta fuerunt:
Volumus enim te, firmarios & custodes, terrarum & tenementorum eorumdem, indè erga nos exonerari. Intentionis tamen nostræ & concilii nostri non existit, quod illi de querelâ prædictâ, qui terras & tenementa sua vendiderunt, remiserunt, seu quietum clamaverunt spontaneâ voluntate suâ, ad terras & tenementa illa, sic vendita, per istam concordiam restituantur.
Teste Rege, apud Westm', xvii. die Februarii.
Per petitionem de concilio.
Eodem modo mandatum est vicecomitibus subscriptis, pro subscriptis; videlicet: Vicecomiti Oxon', pro Thomá de Gurney.
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On 14th February 1400 (exact date not known) King Richard II (age 33) died at Pontefract Castle [Map] where he had been imprisoned three months before; possibly murdered, possibly starved to death. His death was a consequence of the Epiphany Rising; he was still considered a threat.
Edmund Mortimer 5th Earl March 7th Earl of Ulster (age 8) de jure Heir to the Throne of England since he was descended from Philippa Plantagenet Countess March 2nd Countess Ulster the daughter of Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence. The new King Henry IV (age 32) ignored his claim. Edmund Mortimer 5th Earl March 7th Earl of Ulster and his brother Roger Mortimer (age 6) were imprisoned in Windsor and Berkhamstead castles respectively; they were treated well.
On 17th February 1400 Richard's corpse was displayed at St Paul's Cathedral [Map].
On 6th March 1400 Richard's remains were buried at King's Langley Priory, Hertfordshire [Map].
On 17th February 1461 the Lancastrian army defeated the Yorkist army at Second Battle of St Albans and rescued King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 39). The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30) and included Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39), John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), Henry Grey 4th or 7th Baron Grey of Codnor (age 26), Henry Roos and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 33).
Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 33), William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12) and Thomas Tresham (age 41) were knighted.
The Yorkist army included Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 32), William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel (age 43), John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61) and Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57). John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 30) was captured. Robert Poynings (age 42) and James Luttrell (age 34) were killed.
John Grey (age 29) was killed fighting for Lancaster. A death that was to have far reaching consequences; his widow Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 24) subsequently married King Edward IV of England (age 18).
During the battle William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville (age 68) and Thomas Kyriell (age 65) were assigned to the protection of the King Henry VI. After the battle both were beheaded against all decent laws of battle.
William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville was beheaded. His great granddaughter Cecily succeeded 2nd Baroness Bonville.
Thomas Kyriell was beheaded.
William Cotton (age 21) was killed.
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Chronicle of Jean de Waurin Books 3-5 [1400-1474]. 17th February 1461. At St Albans, the Duke of Somerset caused a great alarm. Soon after, Lovelace approached the King and said, "Sire, all our men are in disarray." He asked where his cousin Warwick was, to which Lovelace replied that he had left. Sir Thomas Kyriell then asked where his men were, and Lovelace answered that they had all fled. Sir Thomas Kyriell, a very brave knight and experienced in such matters due to his extensive experience in warfare, became very suspicious of the apparent betrayal, seeing the great confusion among the parties. When the Earl of Warwick heard the commotion and realized that things were turning bad, he tried to turn towards the King, but he couldn't due to the people fleeing. Thus, the King was found beneath a large oak tree, where he laughed heartily at the turn of events. He asked those who came to him not to maltreat Sir Thomas Kyriell, which they promised to do. However, Lovelace, the treacherous traitor, led his lord the King, Sir Thomas, and his son to the Queen, who was very pleased with the King's arrival, as she hoped to achieve her goal of having the Kingdom under her control.
The queen then had a long conversation with Lovelace, and then spoke to Sir Thomas Kyriell and his son, whom she repeatedly called traitors. To this, the noble knight replied, "My most revered lady, I never once thought of, or committed, treason, nor has anyone ever been able to accuse me of any villainous deed; it would greatly grieve me to be marked as such in my old age." At these words, the Queen looked at him very sternly, swearing by the faith she owed to the King that she would take vengeance. She then called for her son, the Prince of Wales, to judge what manner of death these two knights, Sir Thomas Kyriell and his son, should face. The young prince, who had already been introduced, came before his mother the Queen, who asked him, "My dear son, how should these two knights you see here meet their end?" referring to Sir Thomas Kyriell and his son. The young prince replied that their heads should be chopped off. To this, Sir Thomas replied, "May God bring misfortune upon the one who has taught you to speak in such a manner." Immediately after, they were beheaded, which was a great pity.
And to speak of the defeat of that day, not many people died, as most of them fled due to the great disorder that had occurred, all because of the treachery of Lovelace who led the vanguard. The Earl of Warwick was greatly troubled by this event, for never had such great disorder, nor so sudden, been seen to happen by the machinations of the traitor Lovelace, who had thus caused his master to fall.
Auquel lieu de Saint Albon ledit duc de Sombresset vint faire une grosse alarme, et tantost ycellui Louvelet vint au roy et luy dist: "Sire, tous nos gens sont mis en desroy" et il luy demanda ou estoit son cousin de Warewic, a quoy Louvelet respondy quil sen estoit allez. Fut. messire Thomas Quiriel demanda ou estoient ses gens; il respondy quilz sen estoient tous fuys. Alors messire Thomas Quiriel, quy estoit ung moult vaillant chevallier, bien congnoissant en telz matieres comme cellui quy avoit beaucop experemente du fait de la guerre, se doubta moult de la trahison que il veoit estre aparant, voiant la grant desrision qui estoit entre les parties. Quant le comte de Warewic oy le bruit et quil aparcheut que la chose tournoit a mal, il se cuida tourner devers le roy, mais il ne polt pour le peuple qui sen fuyoit. Et ainsi fut le roy prins desoubz uns gros chesne ou il se ryoit moult fort de la chose advenue et prya a ceulz qui vindrent devers luy que audit messire Quiriel ne feissent nul destourbier de son corpz ce quiiz promisrent de faire, mais Louvelet, le desloial trahitre, mena son seigneur le roy, messire Thomas et son filz devers la royne qui fut moult joieuse de la venue du roy, parcequelle cuida bien parvenir a son entente davoir le royaulme en sa subgection.
Si eut lors la royne de grans devises audit Louvelet, puis parla a messire Thomas Quirel et a son filz, lesquelz elle nomma plusieurs fois trahittres, a quoy le bon chevallier respondy: "Ma tres redoubtee dame, oncques ne pensay ne fich trahison, ne oncques de nul villain reproche on ne me sceut attaindre; si me feroit grant mal que en mes vielz jours jen feusse notte."Ausquelz motz la royne le regarda moult fierement, jurant la foy quelle devoit au roy que vengance en prenderoit, si fist appeler son filz le prince de Galles pour jugier de quel mort on le feroit morir, et lenfant qui ja estoit introduit vint audevant de la royne sa mere, qui luy demanda: "Beau filz de quel mort finiront ces deux chevalliers que la veez?" a scavoir messire Thomas Quirel et son filz; et le jenne prince respondy que len leur trencheroit les testes. A quoy resplicqua messire Thomas, disant: "Dieu met en mal an qui ainsi ta aprins ainsi a parler" et tantost aprez on leur trencha les testes, dont ce fut pitie.
Et pour parler de la descomfiture de ceste journee il ny morut gueres des gens, car pour la pluspart ilz sen fuyrent ou grant desroy quil y avoit eu, et tout par la trahittre Louvelet qui menoit lavantgarde. De laquele chose ainsi advenue fut le comte de Warewic moult trouble, car jamais plus grant desroy, ne plus soubdain, on navoit veu advenir par le pourchas du trahittre Louvelet qui ainsi avoit son maistre decheu.
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Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. The Northerners [Lancastrians] indeed, upon approaching the town of the aforementioned First Martyr, and hearing that the King was nearby with a great army, along with some of his Lords, immediately entered the said town [on 17th February 1461], desiring to take a route through its center and direct their army against the King's army. However, they were compelled to retreat by a few archers near the Great Cross, who stood in their way, and they fled with disgrace to the western end of the town; where, by way of the lane leading from the very end towards the North, up to the village of St. Peter, they obtained entrance and there engaged in a great conflict with a certain band of the King's army. Then, after quite a few were killed on both sides, they escaped to a heath called "Bernards Heath," near the northern end of the town, where they encountered with some larger forces, such as four or five thousand of the advance guard of the King's army, a much greater, indeed, a very fierce conflict for the time being. For if the Southerners [Yorkists] had known how to press, persist, and endure as fiercely as they knew how to engage in battle and fight at the outset, they would undoubtedly have put all those boasting and blustering Northerners to flight again with disgrace to their homes, and forced them to curse, condemn, and even abhor the day and hour they presumed to leave their hiding places. But because, according to Vegetius, 'De Re Militari,' in every region those people who are Southern or Eastern, born nearer to the sun, have less blood than others because they are more dried out by the sun, therefore they are softer and more tender within themselves, and consequently less able to fight hand-to-hand against enemies: as also agrees with a certain Metrical writer, thus writing,—
"Whatever regions are exposed to the warmth of the sun,
the excessive mildness of the climate makes them too softe128,"
therefore the Southerners, who were fiercer at the beginning and superior in the field, were soon broken too quickly, and even faster, as they looked back and saw no one from the great army of the King rushing to their aid or preparing to help them, they soon turned their backs to the Northerners, fled through bushes and thickets, through hedges and woods, through various other impassable and watery places, to avoid the hands of the enemy and to save their lives."
Venientes utique Boreales ad villam dicti Proto-martyris, et Dominum Regem, cum exercitu magno, cum nonnullisque Dominis suis, deprope jacentem audientes, mox intraverunt villam dictam, cupientes per medium ejus iter arripere, et exercitum suum dirigere contra exercitum Regis. Attamen per paucos arcitenentes, deprope Magnam Crucem sibi obvios, compulsi erant retrorsum recedere, fugereque cum dedecore ad finem Occidentalem ville; ubi per venellam, quæ ducit ab ipso fine versus Boream, usque ad vicum Sancti Petri, impetrantes sibi ingressum, habuerunt ibidem cum quodam manipulo plebis de exercitu Domini Regis conflictum magnum. Deinde, non paucis tamen ex utraque parte prius interfectis, evadentes usque ad brueram, vocatam "Barnet Heath," prope finem ville Borealem jacentem, habuerunt cum quibusdam copiis amplioribus, ut, puta, cum quatuor vel quinque millibus de præcursoribus exercitus Domini Regis, conflictum majorem, immo, permaximum, et pro tempore satis ancipitem. Nam si scivissent Australes adeo acriter instare, perstare, et perseverare, sicut sciverunt inire prœlium, in principioque pugnare, fugassent infallibiliter istos boantes balatrantesque Boreales omnes iterum cum dedecore ad suas sedes, coegissentque eos damnasse, condemnasse, ac etiam execrasse, diem et horam in quibus egredi præsumpserunt de latibulis suis. Sed quia, secundum Vegetium, "De Re Militari," in omni regione populi illi qui Australes sunt, vel Orientales, propinquius soli nati, minus aliis habent sanguinis, quia magis per solem desiccati, ideo molliores tenerioresque in se sunt, et ex consequenti ad pugnandum contra hostes cominus inhabiliores: prout etiam concordat secum Metricus quidam, ita scribens,—
"Quicquid ad Eoos tractus, cœlique teporem,
Vergitur, emollit nimium clementia cœli,"
ideo Australes, qui acriores fuerunt in principio, superioresque in campo, frangebantur posterius cito nimis, in tantoque citius, in quanto respicientes retro, et neminem videntes de prægrandi exercitu Domini Regis accurrentes, sive se disponentes ad præstandum succursum ipsis, mox dorsum dederunt Borealibus, fugeruntque per rubos et dumos, per sepes et sylvas, per locaque alia varia, invia et inaquosa, ad declinandum manus hostium, et ad salvandum vitas suas.
Note 128. "Quicquid ad Eoos tractus, cœlique teporem, Vergitur, emollit nimium clementia cœli" Also quoted by Gerald of Wales in his Conquest of Ireland.
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Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. Seeing this, the Northerners, who, according to the author's statement, because they are farther from the heat of the sun, therefore have more blood, and are also more ready and inclined to shed it, as also agrees with the Metrist, writing in this way,
"Every blood born in the North is
wild, a lover of war and death129,"
pursued them very swiftly on horseback; and seizing many of them, pierced them with their lances, and forced them to pay their dues through wounds of death. They would have forced many more, but, by the disposition of the Most High, night suddenly came, which, with its darkness obscuring the land, prevented them from further pursuing the fleeing ones. Indeed, with night falling, while darkness still covered the land, those who had remained stationed around the King heard how many of their comrades had yielded to the enemy, and had been killed in flight by them, soon struck by the spirit of fear, they too, in considerable numbers, exceeding twenty thousand, prepared for flight in turn.
Quod videntes Boreales, qui omnes, juxta auctorem dictum, quia remotiores sunt aliis ab ardore solis, ideo plus habent sanguinis, promptioresque sunt præterea, ac etiam proniores, in effusionem ipsius, prout concordat etiam secum Metrista, scribens per hunc modum,
"Omnis in Arctois sanguis quicunque pruinis
Nascitur, indomitus bellis, mortisque amator est,"
insequebantur eos velociter valde in equis; apprehendentesque eorum quamplures, transfoderunt eos suis lanceis, coegeruntque per mortis vulnera persolvere debita fatis. Coegissentque in multo plures, sed, Altissimo disponente, nox subito supervenerat, quæ suis tenebris terram obscurans, ne valerent ulterius fugientes insequi ipsis præpedimentum dabat. Nocte utique superveniente, cum adhuc tenebræ essent super terram, audientes illi qui circa Regem in statione permanserant, quomodo eorum socii quamplures cesserunt hostibus, in fugaque per ipsos interfecti erant, mox spiritu percussi formidinis, se etiam, in non pauco numero, quia in numero ultra viginti millium, ad fugam pariter disponebant.
Note 129. "Omnis in Arctois sanguis quicunque pruinis Nascitur, indomitus bellis, mortisque amator est," Also quoted in Gerald of Wales' Conquest of Ireland.
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Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. Seeing this, the nobles in the field, more dignified under the King, and understanding that in the King himself there was neither spirit nor courage, indeed, neither countenance nor speech, to console or encourage their people, rather, a heart inclined to the opposite side, and to the Queen, his wife, they also withdrew themselves, hoping in the future, through the grace of God, who teaches hands for battle, and fingers for war, to have a better day against the enemies. Therefore, with them withdrawn, and the whole populace seemingly fallen into flight, there approached the King a certain Squire, learned in the law, and quite eloquent, named Thomas Hoo. He suggested to himself, considering the state in which he stood, namely, that he stood almost alone without nobles, alone without soldiers, alone without standard-bearers, armour bearers, or any other men of arms, who should have been at his side, for the safe and secure protection of his person, that he should send some suitable man to the Northern army, and to the Lords who had their rule and governance; to inform them, not only for the reason mentioned, but also because he knew well that they were all his well-wishers, and had associated themselves together for his sake alone, and had come with the arm of strength to these parts, that he stood in full and ready willingness to come to them, and to stay with them, just as he had previously remained under the rule of the Southern Lords.
Quod videntes proceres in campo sub Rege digniores, intelligentesque in ipso Rege nec spiritum esse, nec animum, immo, nec vultum, nec alloquium, ad consolandum sive animandum populum suum, immo magis, cor habentem inclinatum ad partem contrariam, et ad Reginam, uxorem suam, subtraxerunt se etiam, sperantes in posterum, per Dei illius gratiam, qui docet ad prœlium manus, digitos vero ad bellum, diem de hostibus habere meliorem. Subtractis igitur ipsis, et toto quasi populo in fugam prolapso, accessit ad Dominum Regem Scutifer unus, doctus in lege, et satis facundus, nomine et cognomine “Thomas Hoo” vocitatus. Hic suggessit sibi, ut, viso et considerato statu in quo steterat, quomodo, videlicet, stabat ipse quasi solus absque proceribus, solus absque militibus, solus absque signiferis, armiferis, aut aliquibus hominibus armorum aliis, :quos adesse decuerat suo lateri, in salvam et securam |custodiam corporis sui, transmitteret virum idoneum aliquem ad exercitum Borealium, et ad Dominos qui regimen et gubernamen habebant ipsorum ; ad significandum ipsis, quomodo, non solum propter causam dictam, quinimmo etiam, quia melius noverat ipsos omnes esse suos benevolos, suique solius causa associassese in unum, advenisseque cum brachio fortitudinis ad partes istas, stabat ipse in plena paratissimaque voluntate veniendi ad eos, manendique cum ipsis, quemadmodum prius permanserat sub regimine Australium Dominorum.
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Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. According to the given advice, a squire, known as Thomas Hoo, was sent to the Northerners’ army. Upon arriving there, he opened discussed the plan with the Earl of Northumberland, who knew him well. Together, they led certain Lords to the King. These Lords brought the King himself to a tent closer to the royal camp, that is to say, the tent of Lord de Clifford. Then going for the Queen and the Prince, they immediately brought both of them into his presence.
Missus est igitur, juxta datum consilium, Scutifer dictus ad exercitum Borealium; illucque veniens, et Comiti Northumbriæ, cui peroptime notus fuerat, voluntatem Regis aperiens, mox secum certos Dominos reduxit; qui ipsum Regem adduxerunt secum primo ad tentorium, castris regiis magis propinquum, ad tentorium, videlicet, Domini de Clifforde; deinde gradientes pro Regina et Principe, conduxerunt eos ambos protinus ad præsentiam ipsius.
Chronicle of St Albans by Abbot John Whethamstede [-1465]. Upon seeing them, he rejoiced in his heart as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride or a father over his son who, once lost, is found again and restored to his presence. Embracing them in his arms, allowing kisses on their faces, he burst forth immediately, saying: "Blessed be that Lord God who has done such great things among the people of the North, allowing a temporarily separated wife to be restored to us, to drive away all the enemies in our path, and ultimately achieve a triumphant victory over them.’ With these words, he set forth, first enlisting his son as a soldier, heading toward the Monastery. There, he was received honourably by the Abbot and the brethren, accompanied by hymns and confessions, proceeding to the high altar, then to the shrine, and finally to the familiar guest chamber. However, before reaching that chamber, the Abbot approached him and humbly requested that, for the preservation of both the town and the church, he would issue a general proclamation and prohibition, under strict penalty, preventing anyone coming from the field to the town from daring to extend their hands to engage in illicit acts of plunder.
Quibus visis, gaudens gavisus est non aliter in visceribus suis, quam gaudere solet sponsus super sponsam, sive pater super filium, qui, postquam perierat, iterum reinventus est, iterumque readductus ad præsentiam suam. Amplexans igitur eos in suis brachiis, ad oscula orisque admittens, prorupit in vocem protinus, et loquebatur, dicens: "Benedictus sit Dominus Deus ille, qui tam magna fecit in populo Boree, ut sufficeret uxorem, ad tempus divortiatam, restituere nobis iterum, fugareque hostes omnes in ea parte obvios, ac demum de ipsis feliciter triumphare.” Et hiis dictis, iter arripuit, creato tamen prius suo filio in militem, versus Monasterium ; ubi ab Abbate et fratribus susceptus honorifice satis, ducebatur cum hymnis et confessionibus ad altare majus, deinde ad feretrum, deinde ad cameram sus solitæ hospitationis. Priusquam tamen perveniret ad cameram illam, accessit ad eum Abbas, et supplicavit quatinus, in præservationem tam villæ, quam etiam ecclesiæ, a rapina et spoliatione, dignaretur jubere generalem proclamationem, prohibitionemque sub pœna districtiori, fieri, ne quis, de campo ad villam veniens, protendere præsumeret suas manus ad actum illicitum spoliandi.
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Chronicle of William of Worcester [1415-1482]. 17th February 1461. On Shrove Tuesday, namely [17th], February, a battle took place at St. Albans, where the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Warwick and Arundel, and many others fled from the field. And the same King Henry was captured on the battlefield, with the Lord Montagu, his chamberlain, also captured there. And the prince187 came to the King on the battlefield, where the same king, his father, knighted him. And then the same prince made the Earl of Shrewsbury, and many other knights, whose names follow, namely, Thomas Roos ....
And in the said battle, around two thousand people were killed, not only in one field but in various fields, as the countryside there was very wooded; and at that time, James Lutterell from the county of Somerset and Arnold Hungerford were killed on the Queen's side. And on Ash Wednesday, William Bonville (age 68) and Thomas Kyriell (age 65)190, knight, were captured, and in the presence of the prince, they were beheaded at St. Albans. With the end of the said battle, the aldermen of London sent two duchesses, Bedford and Buckingham, to the Queen for the sake of the city's grace and peace, and other ambassadors were sent to the King and queen at Barnet to meet the other aldermen for the said city ….188
In die Carnibrevii, viz. [....] die Februarii, factum est bellum apud Sanctum Albanum, ubi fugerunt de campo dux Norfolchiæ, comes Warrwici et Arundeliæ, ac multi alii. Et idem rex Henricus captus in campo, cum domino de Monte Acuto, camerario suo, ibidem capto. Et princeps venit ad regem in campo, ubi idem rex, pater suus, insignivit eum militem. Et tunc idem princeps fecit comitem Salop, et multos alios milites, quorum nomina sequuntur, viz., Thomas Roos ….
Et in dicto bello occiduntur ad numerum duorum millium gentium, non tantum in uno campo sed in diversis croftis, quia patria ibidem multum lignosa extitit; ac ad tunc ibidem ex parte reginæ occiditur Jacobus Lutterell de comitatu Somersetiæ et Arnaldus Hungyrforde. Ac in die Cinerum capti sunt Wyllelmus Bonevyle et Thomas Kyriele, miles, et in præsentia principis decollatur apud Sanctum Albanum. Dicto bello finito, miserunt aldermanni Londoniæ duas ducissas Bedforde et Bukyngham ad reginam pro gratia et pace civitatis habenda, missique sunt alii ambassiatores regi et reginæ ad Barnet, ad obviandum cæteris aldermannys pro dicta civitate, etc ….
Note 187. Edward of Westminster, 1453-1471. Prince of Wales, son of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou.
Note 188. A blank here occurs in the MS.
Note 190. William Bonville and Thomas Kyriell, both knights of senior years, had guarded King Henry during the battle. Their execution following the battle was considered contrary to the rules of warfare.
Note 191. The MS. has here lost several leaves.
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After 17th February 1461, following his capture at, or shortly after, the Second Battle of St Albans, Henry Lovelace was beheaded.
Patent Rolls. 17th February 1478. Grant for life to Richard Ferrers of the off of steward of lordship Westminster, of Fawnhope, co. Hereford, in the king's hands by reason of the minority of Edward (age 2) son of George, late duke of Clarence (age 28), with the accustomed fees. By p.s.
Note. The date here somewhat confusing since George York 1st Duke of Clarence wasn't executed until a day later on 18 Feb 1478.
On 17th February 1490 Charles Bourbon III Duke Bourbon was born to Gilbert Bourbon Count of Monpensier (age 47) and Clara Gonzaga (age 25). He married 10th May 1505 his second cousin Suzanne Bourbon Duchess Bourbon, daughter of Peter Bourbon II Duke Bourbon and Anne Valois Duchess Bourbon.
17th February 1494. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of Rector Richard Newland inscribed "Here lies Master Richard Newland formerly rector of this church who died 17th day of February A.D. 1494 on whose soul may God have mercy".
On 17th February 1519 Francis II Duke Guise was born to Claude Lorraine 1st Duke Guise (age 22) and Antoinette Bourbon Duchess of Guise (age 26) at Bar le Duc. He married 29th April 1548 his third cousin once removed Anna d'Este, daughter of Ercole Este II Duke Ferrara and Renée of France Duchess of Ferrara, and had issue.
On 17th February 1524 Cardinal Charles of Guise was born to Claude Lorraine 1st Duke Guise (age 27) and Antoinette Bourbon Duchess of Guise (age 31).
On 17th February 1529 Wilhelm Wittelsbach was born to William Wittelsbach IV Duke Bavaria (age 35) and Marie Jakobaea Baden Duchess Bavaria (age 21). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.61%. He died aged one in 1530.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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Calendar of State Papers of Spain. 17th February 1536. Eustace Chapuys (age 46) to the Emperor (age 35).
The Princess (age 19), thanks to God, is doing well. She changed her lodgings last Saturday, and on her journey to her new residence was better attended and provided with money and every necessary than she has been for a long time past. That came very apropos, for she was thus enabled to distribute alms on the road, the King, her father, having sent her one hundred crs. or thereabouts to expend as she pleased. There is a rumour, as Master Cromwell sent me word immediately after the Queen's demise, that the King intends increasing the Princess' household and estate. May it be so, and may God, forbid that it ere should be a snake in the grass, or any other danger to her. It seems to me as if the King had only been waiting for his mistress' confinement. Had she been delivered of a son, as both were almost sure would be the case, he would, certainly have summoned, the Princess to swear to the statutes. I do not know what he may do now. I have warned the Princess to consider whether, in case of her being much pressed to take the oath and thereby reduced to extremities, it would not be expedient for her to offer, the very moment the King, her father, had a son, to accede to his wishes, and in the meanwhile begin from this day to flatter and, make herself agreeable to the governess. As soon as I get an answer to my message I shall not fail to apprize Your Majesty.
Letters and Papers. 17th February 1536. Vienna Archives. 307. Chapuys (age 46) to Charles V.
Two days ago some Gueldrois arrived, and came to the King. Will endeavour to discover the cause, and inform His Majesty both of that and of what takes place at this Parliament, in which nothing has yet been done that is worth writing. London, 17 Feb. 1535. Fr. From a modern copy1; pp. 5.
ii. Copy of the letter of the Concubine to Madame Shelton, her aunt.
[Before 29 Jan 1536]. Mrs. Shelton (age 60), my pleasure is that you do not further move the Lady Mary (age 19) to be towards the King's Grace otherwise than it pleases herself. What I have done has been more for charity than for anything the King or I care what road she takes, or whether she will change her purpose, for if I have a son, as I hope shortly, I know what will happen to her; and therefore, considering the Word of God, to do good to one's enemy, I wished to warn her before hand, because I have daily experience that the King's wisdom is such as not to esteem her repentance of her rudeness and unnatural obstinacy when she has no choice. By the law of God and of the King, she ought clearly to acknowledge her error and evil conscience if her blind affection had not so blinded her eyes that she will see nothing but what pleases herself. Mrs. Shelton, I beg you not to think to do me any pleasure by turning her from any of her wilful courses, because she could not do me [good] or evil; and do your duty about her according to the King's command, as I am assured you do, "et le devez estre aussi (qu. assuré?) que me trouverez vre. bonne dame quil ne (qu. quelque?) chose quelle face." Fr. From a modern copy, p. 1.
Note 1. There is another modern copy in Rymer Transcripts, Vol. 145, No. 6, but some important passages are omitted in it. A translation of the greater part of the letter will be found in Froude's "The Pilgrim," p. 108.
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Calendar of State Papers of Spain. 17th February 1536. Eustace Chapuys (age 46) to the Emperor (age 35).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17th February 1553. The xvij day of Feybruary th'erle of Penbroke (age 52) cam rydyng in to London with iij C. horsse, and a-ffor hym a C. gentyllmen with chenes of gold, alle in bluw cloth, playne, with a bage on ther slewe a dragon, and so to Benard Castyll [Map], and ther he leyff.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 17th February 1557. The xvij day of Feybruary ded in Chanell-rowe the good yerle of Sussex (age 50) at Westmynster.
On 17th February 1563 at Baynard's Castle [Map] a double wedding between two pairs of siblings, Talbot and Herbert, took place...
Henry Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 25) and Catherine Talbot Countess Pembroke (age 13) were married. She the daughter of George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 35) and Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 38). He the son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 62) and Anne Parr Countess Pembroke. They were third cousin once removed.
Francis Talbot (age 11) and Anne Herbert (age 13) were married. She the daughter of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Parr Countess Pembroke. He the son of George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were third cousin once removed.
On 17th February 1582 George Hanover Duke Brunswick-Lüneburg was born. He married 1617 Anne Eleonore Hesse Darmstadt Duchess Brunswick-Lüneburg and had issue.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 17th February 1616. Upon the 17th my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (age 53), my Lord William Howard (age 52)1, my Lord Rous (age 25), my Coz. Russell (age 23), my Brother Sackville (age 25) and a great company of men of [erased in MS.] were all in the Gallery at Dorset House where the Archbishop took me aside and talked with me privately one hour and half and persuaded me both by Divine and human means to set my hand to their arguments. But my answer to his Lordship was that I would do nothing till my Lady and I had conferred together. Much persuasion was used by him and all the company, sometimes terrifying me and sometimes flattering me, but at length it was concluded that I should have leave to go to my Mother (age 55) and send an answer by the 22nd of March next, whether I will agree to the business or not, and to this prayer my Lord of Canterbury and the rest of the Lords have set their hands.
Note 1. Her husband's uncle.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 17th February 1617. Upon the 17th about 8 o'clock in the morning my Lord (age 27) returned to London.
At night Mr Asken came and brought me a letter from Lady Grantham and told me a great deal of news from London, and I signed a bill to give him £7 at his return from Jerusalem.
This day I gave the Child's old clothes to Legge for his wife.
On 17th February 1626 William Wittelsbach V Duke Bavaria (age 77) died. His son Maximilian (age 52) succeeded Maximillian I Duke Bavaria.
On 17th February 1649 George Carteret 1st Baronet (age 39) at St Helier, Jersey [Map] had Charles II (age 18) proclaimed King after his father Charles I was executed; an act that Charles II never forgot.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1660. Friday. In the morning Tom that was my Lord's footboy came to see me and had 10s. of me of the money which I have to keep of his. So that now I have but 35s. more of his. Then came Mr. Hills the instrument maker, and I consulted with him about the altering my lute and my viall. After that I went into my study and did up my accounts, and found that I am about; £40 beforehand in the world, and that is all. So to my office and from thence brought Mr. Hawly home with me to dinner, and after dinner wrote a letter to Mr Downing (age 35) about his business and gave it Hawly, and so went to Mr. Gunning's (age 46) to his weekly fast, and after sermon, meeting there with Monsieur L'Impertinent, we went and walked in the park till it was dark. I played on my pipe at the Echo, and then drank a cup of ale at Jacob's. So to Westminster Hall [Map], and he with me, where I heard that some of the members of the House were gone to meet with some of the secluded members and General Monk (age 51) in the City. Hence we went to White Hall, thinking to hear more news, where I met with Mr. Hunt, who told me how Monk had sent for all his goods that he had here into the City; and yet again he told me, that some of the members of the House had this day laid in firing into their lodgings at White Hall for a good while, so that we are at a great stand to think what will become of things, whether Monk will stand to the Parliament or no. Hence Mons L'Impertinent and I to Harper's, and there drank a cup or two to the King (age 29), and to his fair sister Frances good health, of whom we had much discourse of her not being much the worse for the smallpox, which she had this last summer.
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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John Evelyn's Diary. 17th February 1662. This night was buried in Westminster Abbey [Map] the Queen of Bohemia (deceased), after all her sorrows and afflictions being come to die in the arms of her nephew, the King (age 31);
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th February 1662. I went with my Lord of Bristol (age 49) to see his house at Wimbledon, Surrey, newly bought of the Queen-Mother (age 52), to help contrive the garden after the modern. It is a delicious place for prospect and the thickets, but the soil cold and weeping clay. Returned that evening with Sir Henry Bennett (age 44).
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1663. And after much talk (among other things Mr. Montagu telling him that there was a fellow in the town, naming me, that had done ill offices, and that if he knew it to be so, he would have him cudgelled) my Lord did promise him that, if upon account he saw that there was not many tradesmen unpaid, he would sign the books; but if there was, he could not bear with taking too great a debt upon him. So this day he sent him an account, and a letter assuring him there was not above £200 unpaid; and so my Lord did sign to the Exchequer books. Upon the whole, I understand fully what a rogue he is, and how my Lord do think and will think of him for the future; telling me that thus he has served his father my Lord Manchester (age 61), and his whole family, and now himself: and which is worst, that he hath abused, and in speeches every day do abuse, my Chancellor (age 53), whose favour he hath lost; and hath no friend but Sir H. Bennet (age 45), and that (I knowing the rise of the friendship) only from the likeness of their pleasures, and acquaintance, and concernments, they have in the same matters of lust and baseness; for which, God forgive them! But he do flatter himself, from promises of Sir H. Bennet, that he shall have a pension of £2000 per annum, and be made an Earl.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1663. Coming home I brought Mr. Pickering as far as the Temple [Map], who tells me the story is very true of a child being dropped at the ball at Court; and that the King (age 32) had it in his closett a week after, and did dissect it; and making great sport of it, said that in his opinion it must have been a month and three hours old; and that, whatever others think, he hath the greatest loss (it being a boy, as he says), that hath lost a subject by the business. He tells me, too, that the other story, of my Baroness Castlemaine's (age 22) and Stuart's (age 15) marriage, is certain, and that it was in order to the King's coming to Stuart, as is believed generally. He tells me that Sir H. Bennet (age 45) is a Catholique, and how all the Court almost is changed to the worse since his coming in, they being afeard of him. And that the Queen-Mother's (age 53) Court is now the greatest of all; and that our own Queen (age 24) hath little or no company come to her, which I know also to be very true, and am sorry to see it.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1664. Thence I to White Hall and there walked up and down talking with Mr. Pierce, who tells me of the King's giving of my Lord Fitz-Harding (age 34) two leases which belong indeed to the Queene (age 54), worth £20,000 to him; and how people do talk of it, and other things of that nature which I am sorry to hear. He and I walked round the Park with great pleasure, and back again, and finding no time to speak with my Lord of Albemarle (age 55), I walked to the 'Change [Map] and there met my wife at our pretty Doll's, and so took her home, and Creed also whom I met there, and sent her hose, while Creed and I staid on the 'Change [Map], and by and by home and dined, where I found an excellent mastiffe, his name Towser, sent me by a chyrurgeon.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1664. After dinner I took my wife again by coach (leaving Creed by the way going to Gresham College, of which he is now become one of the virtuosos) and to White Hall, where I delivered a paper about Tangier [Map] to my Lord Duke of Albemarle (age 55) in the council chamber, and so to Mrs. Hunt's to call my wife, and so by coach straight home, and at my office till 3 o'clock in the morning, having spent much time this evening in discourse with Mr. Cutler, who tells me how the Dutch deal with us abroad and do not value us any where, and how he and Sir W. Rider have found reason to lay aside Captain Cocke (age 47) in their company, he having played some indiscreet and unfair tricks with them, and has lost himself every where by his imposing upon all the world with the conceit he has of his own wit, and so has, he tells me, Sir R. Ford (age 50) also, both of whom are very witty men.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1667. At home, by appointment, comes Captain Cocke (age 50) to me, to talk of State matters, and about the peace; who told me that the whole business is managed between Kevet, Burgomaster of Amsterdam, and my Lord Arlington (age 49), who hath, by the interest of his wife there, some interest. We have proposed the Hague, but know not yet whether the Dutch will like it; or; if they do, whether the French will. We think we shall have the help of the information of their affairs and state, and the helps of the Prince of Orange (age 16) his faction; but above all, that De Witt, who hath all this while said he cannot get peace, his mouth will now be stopped, so that he will be forced to offer fit terms for fear of the people; and, lastly, if France or Spayne do not please us, we are in a way presently to clap up a peace with the Dutch, and secure them. But we are also in treaty with France, as he says: but it must be to the excluding our alliance with the King (age 36) of Spayne or House of Austria; which we do not know presently what will be determined in. He tells me the Vice-Chamberlaine is so great with the King, that, let the Duke of York (age 33), and Sir W. Coventry (age 39), and this office, do or say what they will, while the King lives, Sir G. Carteret (age 57) will do what he will; and advises me to be often with him, and eat and drink with him.; and tells me that he doubts he is jealous of me, and was mighty mad to-day at our discourse to him before the Duke of York. But I did give him my reasons that the office is concerned to declare that, without money, the King's work cannot go on.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1667. This evening, going to the Queen's (age 28) side to see the ladies, I did find the Queene (age 57), the Duchesse of York (age 29), and another or two, at cards, with the room full of great ladies and men; which I was amazed at to see on a Sunday, having not believed it; but, contrarily, flatly denied the same a little while since to my cozen Roger Pepys (age 49)? I did this day, going by water, read the answer to "The Apology for Papists", which did like me mightily, it being a thing as well writ as I think most things that ever I read in my life, and glad I am that I read it.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1667. So parted, and I by water home and to dinner, W. Hewer (age 25) with us, a good dinner and-very merry, my wife and I, and after dinner to my chamber, to fit some things against: the Council anon, and that being done away to White Hall by water, and thence to my Chancellor's (age 57), where I met with, and had much pretty discourse with, one of the Progers's that knows me; and it was pretty to hear him tell me, of his own accord, as a matter of no shame, that in Spayne he had a pretty woman, his mistress, whom, when money grew scarce with him, he was forced to leave, and afterwards heard how she and her husband lived well, she being kept by an old fryer who used her as his whore; but this, says he, is better than as our ministers do, who have wives that lay up their estates, and do no good nor relieve any poor-no, not our greatest prelates, and I think he is in the right for my part.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1667. They gone, by coach to my Lord Treasurer's (age 59), as the Duke of York (age 33) told me, to settle the business of money for the navy, I walked into the Court to and again till night, and there met Colonell Reames (age 53), and he and I walked together a great while complaining of the ill-management of things, whereof he is as full as I am. We ran over many persons and things, and see nothing done like men like to do well while the King (age 36) minds his pleasures so much. We did bemoan it that nobody would or had authority enough with the King to tell him how all things go to rack and will be lost.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1668. Thence to the Committee, where I did deliver the several things they expected from me, with great respect and show of satisfaction, and my mind thereby eased of some care. But thence I to Westminster Hall [Map], and there spent till late at night walking to and again with many people, and there in general I hear of the great high words that were in the House on Saturday last, upon the first part of the Committee's Report about the dividing of the fleete; wherein some would have the counsels of the King (age 37) to be declared, and the reasons of them, and who did give them; where Sir W. Coventry (age 40) laid open to them the consequences of doing that, that the King would never have any honest and wise men ever to be of his Council. They did here in the House talk boldly of the King's bad counsellors, and how they must be all turned out, and many of them, and better; brought in: and the proceedings of the Long-Parliament in the beginning of the war were called to memory: and the King's bad intelligence was mentioned, wherein they were bitter against my Lord Arlington (age 50), saying, among other things, that whatever Morrice's was, who declared he had but £750 a-year allowed him for intelligence, the King paid too dear for my Lord Arlington's, in giving him £10,000 and a barony for it. Sir W. Coventry did here come to his defence, in the business of the letter that was sent to call back Prince Rupert (age 48), after he was divided from the fleete, wherein great delay was objected; but he did show that he sent it at one in the morning, when the Duke of York (age 34) did give him the instructions after supper that night, and did clear himself well of it: only it was laid as a fault, which I know not how he removes, of not sending it by an express, but by the ordinary post; but I think I have heard he did send it to my Lord Arlington's; and that there it lay for some hours; it coming not to Sir Philip Honiwood's hand at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] till four in the afternoon that day, being about fifteen or sixteen hours in going; and about this, I think, I have heard of a falling out between my Lord Arlington, heretofore, and W. Coventry. Some mutterings I did hear of a design of dissolving the Parliament; but I think there is no ground for it yet, though Oliver would have dissolved them for half the trouble and contempt these have put upon the King and his councils. The dividing of the fleete, however, is, I hear, voted a miscarriage, and the not building a fortification at Sheernesse [Map]: and I have reason every hour to expect that they will vote the like of our paying men off by ticket; and what the consequence of that will be I know not, but I am put thereby into great trouble of mind. I did spend a little time at the Swan [Map], and there did kiss the maid, Sarah.
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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th February 1669. Up, and with W. Hewer (age 27) with me to Lincoln's Inn, by appointment, to have spoke with Mr. Pedley about Mr. Goldsborough's business and Mr. Weaver's, but he was gone out, and so I with Mr. Castle (age 40), the son-in-law of Weaver, to White Hall to look for him, but did not find him, but here I did meet with several and talked, and do hear only that the King (age 38) dining yesterday at the Dutch Embassador's, after dinner they drank, and were pretty merry; and, among the rest of the King's company, there was that worthy fellow my Lord of Rochester (age 21), and Tom Killigrew (age 57), whose mirth and raillery offended the former so much, that he did give Tom Killigrew a box on the ear in the King's presence, which do much give offence to the people here at Court, to see how cheap the King makes himself, and the more, for that the King hath not only passed by the thing, and pardoned it to Rochester, Kent [Map] already, but this very morning the King did publickly walk up and down, and Rochester, Kent [Map] I saw with him as free as ever, to the King's everlasting shame, to have so idle a rogue his companion. How Tom Killigrew takes it, I do not hear. I do also this day hear that my Lord Privy Seale do accept to go Lieutenant into Ireland; but whether it be true or no, I cannot tell. So calling at my shoemaker's, and paying him to this day, I home to dinner, and in the afternoon to Colonel Middleton's house, to the burial of his wife, where we are all invited, and much more company, and had each of us a ring: and so towards evening to our church, where there was a sermon preached by Mills, and so home. At church there was my Lord Brouncker (age 49) and Mrs. Williams in our pew, the first time they were ever there or that I knew that either of them would go to church. At home comes Castle to me, to desire me to go to Mr. Pedly, this night, he being to go out of town to-morrow morning, which I, therefore, did, by Hackney-coach, first going to White Hall to meet with Sir W. Coventry (age 41), but missed him. But here I had a pleasant rencontre of a lady in mourning, that, by the little light I had, seemed handsome. I passing by her, I did observe she looked back again and again upon me, I suffering her to go before, and it being now duske. I observed she went into the little passage towards the Privy Water-Gate, and I followed, but missed her; but coming back again, I observed she returned, and went to go out of the Court. I followed her, and took occasion, in the new passage now built, where the walke is to be, to take her by the hand, to lead her through, which she willingly accepted, and I led her to the Great Gate, and there left her, she telling me, of her own accord, that she was going as far as, Charing Cross [Map]; but my boy was at the gate, and so je durst not go out con her, which vexed me, and my mind (God forgive me) did run apres her toute that night, though I have reason to thank God, and so I do now, that I was not tempted to go further.
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On or before 17th February 1673, the date he was baptised, Archibald Hamilton was born to William Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 38) and Anne Hamilton 3rd Duchess Hamilton (age 41). He married (1) in or before 1709 Anne Lucas, daughter of Charles Lucas 2nd Baron Lucas Shenfield (2) 17th December 1718 Anne Hamilton (3) 29th September 1719 his fourth cousin once removed Jane Hamilton, daughter of James Hamilton 6th Earl Abercorn.
On 17th February 1675 Anne Scott was born to James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch (age 25) and Anne Scott Duchess Monmouth and Buccleuch (age 24). She a granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She died aged ten in 1685.
On 17th February 1680 Captain John Smith (age 18) and Mary Warner (age 17) were married at Purton. She the daughter of Augustine Warner (age 38).
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th February 1685. This morning his Ma* (age 51) restor'd the staffe and key to Lord Arlington (age 67), Chamberlaine; to Mr. Savell (age 43), Vice-chamberlaine; to Lords Newport (age 64) and Malnard (age 62), Treasurer and Comptroler of the Household; Lord Godolphin (age 39) made Chamberlaine to ye Queene (age 26); Lord Peterborow (age 63) Groome of ye Stole in place of the Earle of Bath (age 56); the Treasurer's staff to the Earle of Rochester (age 42); and his brother the Earle of Clarendon Lord Privie Seale in place of the Marquis of Halifax (age 51), who was made President of the Council; the Secretarys of State remaining as before.
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th February 1695. Called to London by Lord Godolphin (age 49), one of the Lords of the Treasury, offering me the treasurership of the hospital [Map] designed to be built at Greenwich for worn-out seamen.
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 17th February 1704 Johann August Saxe Coburg Altenburg was born to Frederick Saxe Coburg Altenburg II Duke Saxe Gotha Altenburg (age 27) and Magdalena Augusta Anhalt-Zerbst Duchess Saxe Gotha Altenburg at Gotha.
On 17th February 1718 Charlotte Fitzroy Countess Lichfield (age 53) died. She a natural daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 17th February 1720 Victor Amadeus King Sardinia (age 53) was appointed King Sardinia. Anne Marie Bourbon Queen Consort Sardinia (age 50) by marriage Queen Consort Sardinia.
On 17th February 1728 Frederick Manners was born to John Manners 3rd Duke Rutland (age 31) and Bridget Sutton Duchess Rutland (age 28).
On 17th February 1729 John Ernest Saxe Coburg Saalfeld IV Duke Saxe Coburg Saalfeld (age 70) died. His son Christian (age 45) succeeded John IV Duke Saxe Coburg Saalfeld.
On 17th February 1755 Charles Manners-Sutton was born to George Manners-Sutton (age 31) and Diana Chaplin (age 24). He married 1788 his half first cousin Mary Thoroton and had issue.
On 17th February 1763 George John Campbell was born to John Campbell 5th Duke Argyll (age 39) and Elizabeth Gunning Duchess Hamilton and Argyll (age 29). He died aged one in 1764.
On 17th February 1764 Louise Christine Caroline Oldenburg was born to Frederick Christian Oldenburg I Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Augustenburg (age 42) and Charlotte Amalie Wilhelmine Unknown Duchess Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Augustenburg.
After 17th February 1804. St Germans Priory [Map]. Memorial to Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot (deceased).
Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot: On 8th July 1727 he was born to Richard Eliot and Harriet Craggs. On 25th September 1756 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot and Catherine Elliston Baroness Eliott were married. On 13th January 1784 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot was created 1st Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. Catherine Elliston Baroness Eliott by marriage Baroness Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall. On 17th February 1804 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall.
On 8th February 1809 Brownlow Bertie 5th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 79) died without male issue at Grimsthorpe, South Kesteven. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Swinstead [Map] on 17th February 1809. Duke Ancaster and Kesteven, Marquess Lindsay extinct. His third cousin Albermarle (age 64) succeeded 9th Earl Lindsey.
Sculpted by Richard Westmacott (age 33). A handsome white marble wall tablet in Grecian style depicting deceased and wife on a catafalque with mourning female figure, flanked by mother, children and angel. Above a scrolled cornice with Ducal coronet and palm. Beneath a rectangular inscription panel, flanked by scrolled brackets.
On 17th February 1813 Frederick Collings Lukis (age 24) and Elizabeth Collings (age 21) were married. They had three daughters and six sons. They were first cousins.
On 17th February 1831 Friedrich Wilhelm Glücksburg Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg (age 46) died. His son Karl (age 18) succeeded Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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On 17th February 1875 Louise Glücksburg was born to Frederick VIII King of Denmark (age 31) and Louise of Sweden Queen Consort Denmark (age 23).
The London Gazette 25561. Master of the Horse's Office, Royal Mews, Pimlico, February 17, 1886, Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to appoint the Right Honourable Charles Harbord (age 56) Baron Suffield, K.C.B., to be Master of Her Majesty's Buckhounds, in the room of the Right Honourable John Henry Delapoer (age 41), Marquis of Waterford, K.P., resigned.
On 17th February 1917 Lieutenant-Colonel Robert James Francis Meyricke (age 38) was killed in action at the Battle of Boom Ravine near Miraumont whilst rallying his men. He was buried at the Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
Memorial to Lieutenant-Colonel Robert James Francis Meyricke and Major Rupert Chabbert Meyricke at St Laurence's Church, Ludlow [Map].
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert James Francis Meyricke: On 3rd January 1879 he was born to Robert Henry Meyricke and Katharine "Kate" Carswell Clerk at 7 Porchester Square, Bayswater. He was baptised on 17th February 1879 at In 1917 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonal in the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers attached to the 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment.
On 17th February 1917 Charles Auguste Émile Durand "Carolus Duran" (age 79) died.
On 17th February 1920 John Albert William Spencer-Churchill 10th Duke of Marlborough (age 22) and Alexandra Mary Cadogan Duchess of Marlborough (age 19) were married at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. He the son of Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill 9th Duke of Marlborough (age 48) and Consuelo Vanderbilt Duchess of Marlborough (age 42).
On 17th February 1490 Charles Bourbon III Duke Bourbon was born to Gilbert Bourbon Count of Monpensier (age 47) and Clara Gonzaga (age 25). He married 10th May 1505 his second cousin Suzanne Bourbon Duchess Bourbon, daughter of Peter Bourbon II Duke Bourbon and Anne Valois Duchess Bourbon.
On 17th February 1519 Francis II Duke Guise was born to Claude Lorraine 1st Duke Guise (age 22) and Antoinette Bourbon Duchess of Guise (age 26) at Bar le Duc. He married 29th April 1548 his third cousin once removed Anna d'Este, daughter of Ercole Este II Duke Ferrara and Renée of France Duchess of Ferrara, and had issue.
On 17th February 1524 Cardinal Charles of Guise was born to Claude Lorraine 1st Duke Guise (age 27) and Antoinette Bourbon Duchess of Guise (age 31).
On 17th February 1529 Wilhelm Wittelsbach was born to William Wittelsbach IV Duke Bavaria (age 35) and Marie Jakobaea Baden Duchess Bavaria (age 21). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.61%. He died aged one in 1530.
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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On 17th February 1582 George Hanover Duke Brunswick-Lüneburg was born. He married 1617 Anne Eleonore Hesse Darmstadt Duchess Brunswick-Lüneburg and had issue.
On 17th February 1655 Helena Perceval was born to John Perceval 1st Baronet (age 25) and Catherine Southwell. She was born posthumously. She married Daniel Dering, son of Edward Dering 2nd Baronet and Mary Harvey Lady Dering.
On 17th February 1674 Lady Mary Fane was born to Vere Fane 4th Earl of Westmoreland (age 29) and Rachel Bence Countess of Westmoreland. She married 30th May 1705 Francis Dashwood 1st Baronet and had issue.
On 17th February 1675 Anne Scott was born to James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch (age 25) and Anne Scott Duchess Monmouth and Buccleuch (age 24). She a granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She died aged ten in 1685.
On 17th February 1680 Katherine Shirley was born to Robert Shirley 1st Earl Ferrers (age 29) and Elizabeth Washington Baroness Ferrers Chartley.
On 17th February 1682 William Vane 1st Viscount Vane was born to Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 28) and Elizabeth Holles Baroness Barnard.
On 17th February 1704 Johann August Saxe Coburg Altenburg was born to Frederick Saxe Coburg Altenburg II Duke Saxe Gotha Altenburg (age 27) and Magdalena Augusta Anhalt-Zerbst Duchess Saxe Gotha Altenburg at Gotha.
On 17th February 1706 Robert Hampden-Trevor 1st Viscount Hampden was born to Thomas Trevor 1st Baron Trevor Bromham (age 47) and Anne Welden (age 36). Coefficient of inbreeding 3.12%.
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 17th February 1716 William Leveson-Gower was born to John Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Gower (age 21) and Evelyn Pierrepont Baroness Gower (age 25).
On 17th February 1716 Henry Howe 3rd Baron Chedworth was born to John Howe 1st Baron Chedworth.
On 17th February 1721 Mary Stafford Howard was born to William Stafford-Howard 2nd Earl Stafford (age 31) and Anne Holman Countess Stafford. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.29%.
On 17th February 1728 Frederick Manners was born to John Manners 3rd Duke Rutland (age 31) and Bridget Sutton Duchess Rutland (age 28).
On 17th February 1746 John Knightley 1st Baronet was born to Valentine Knightley (age 27).
On 17th February 1755 Charles Manners-Sutton was born to George Manners-Sutton (age 31) and Diana Chaplin (age 24). He married 1788 his half first cousin Mary Thoroton and had issue.
On 17th February 1763 George John Campbell was born to John Campbell 5th Duke Argyll (age 39) and Elizabeth Gunning Duchess Hamilton and Argyll (age 29). He died aged one in 1764.
On 17th February 1764 Louise Christine Caroline Oldenburg was born to Frederick Christian Oldenburg I Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Augustenburg (age 42) and Charlotte Amalie Wilhelmine Unknown Duchess Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Augustenburg.
On 17th February 1768 Augustus Cavendish-Bradshaw was born to Henry Cavendish 2nd Baronet (age 35) and Sarah Bradshaw 1st Baroness Waterpark (age 27). He married November 1796 Mary Anne Jeffereyes Countess Westmeath.
On 17th February 1780 Frances Charlotte Dillon Lee Lady Webb was born to Charles Dillon Lee 12th Viscount Dillon (age 34) and Henrietta Maria Phipps (age 22). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland. She married 14th March 1799 Thomas Webb 6th Baronet and had issue.
On 17th February 1801 Georgiana Grey was born to Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey (age 36) and Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby Countess Grey (age 24).
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.
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On 17th February 1813 Henrietta Phillipps Lady Haselrigge was born to Charles Allen Phillipps at St Brides, Pembrokeshire. She was baptised on 14th September 1814 at St Brigets Church, St Brides, Pembrokeshire. She married 14th July 1835 Arthur Grey Haselrigge 12th Baronet, son of Arthur Hasselrigge aka Grey 11th Baronet and Henrietta Anne Bourne Lady Haselrigge, and had issue.
On 17th February 1817 Emily Charlotte Mary Ponsonby was born to John Ponsonby 4th Earl Bessborough (age 35) and Maria Fane (age 30).
On 17th February 1821 Fulke Southwell Greville-Nugent 1st Baron Greville was born to Algernon Greville of North Lodge in Barnet (age 30) and Catherine Graham (age 35). He married 28th April 1840 his fifth cousin once removed Rosa Emily Nugent Baroness Greville, daughter of George Nugent 1st Marquess Westmeath and Emily Anne Bennet Elizabeth Cecil Marchioness Westmeath, and had issue.
On 17th February 1831 Helen Duncombe was born to William Duncombe 2nd Baron Feversham (age 33) and Louisa Stewart Baroness Feversham Duncombe Park (age 27). She married 1855 William Beckett-Denison, son of Edmund Beckett aka Denison 4th Baronet and Maria Beverley Lady Beckett, and had issue.
On 17th February 1839 Caroline Cecelia Edgecumbe Countess Revensworth and Mount Edgecumbe was born to George Edgecumbe (age 38) and Fanny Lucy Shelley (age 28). She married (1) 9th October 1866 Atholl Liddell 3rd Earl of Ravensworth, son of Henry Thomas Liddell 1st Earl Ravensworth and Isabella Horatia Seymour (2) 21st April 1906 her first cousin William Henry Edgecumbe 4th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, son of Ernest Augustus Edgecumbe 3rd Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.
On 17th February 1843 George Henry Hervey was born to Bishop Arthur Hervey (age 34). He married (1) 3rd July 1869 Mary Cole (2) 13th July 1876 Emma Arkwright.
On 17th February 1872 Charles Wyndham 3rd Baron Leconfield was born to Henry Wyndham 2nd Baron Leconfield (age 41) and Constance Evelyn Primrose Baroness Leconfield (age 25) at Petworth House. He married 1911 Beatrice Violet Rawson Baroness Leconfield.
On 17th February 1873 Alexander George Thynne was born to John Alexander Thynne 4th Marquess of Bath (age 41) and Frances Isabella Catherine Vesey Marchioness Bath.
On 17th February 1873 Sybil Lyttelton was born to George William Lyttelton 4th Baron Lyttelton (age 55) and Sybella Harriet Clive. She married 1895 Lionel Cust and had issue.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 17th February 1875 Louise Glücksburg was born to Frederick VIII King of Denmark (age 31) and Louise of Sweden Queen Consort Denmark (age 23).
On 17th February 1891 Geoffrey Morton Eden 7th Baron Auckland was born to George Eden (age 29) and Amy Violet Hay-Drummond (age 23).
On 17th February 1906 George Fitz-Clarence 5th Earl Munster was born to Harold Edward Fitz-Clarence (age 35). He a great x 2 grandson of King William IV of the United Kingdom.
On 17th February 1918 Mabel Edith Fox-Strangways Viscountess Wimborne was born to Giles Fox-Strangways 6th Earl of Ilchester (age 43) and Helen Vane-Tempest-Stewart Countess Ilchester (age 41). She married 22nd November 1938 her third cousin Ivor Grosvenor Guest 2nd Viscount Wimborne, son of Ivor Churchill Guest 1st Viscount Wimborne and Alice Katherine Sibell Grosvenor, and had issue.
On 17th February 1962 John Michael Kennaway 6th Baronet was born to John Lawrence Kennaway 5th Baronet (age 28)
On 17th February 1359 John Fitzalan 1st Baron Arundel Baron Maltravers (age 11) and Eleanor Maltravers 2nd Baroness Maltravers Baroness Arundel and Cobham (age 14) were married. He the son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey (age 53) and Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey (age 40). They were fifth cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.
On 17th February 1466 Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel (age 16) and Margaret Woodville Countess Arundel (age 12) were married. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers (age 61) and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford (age 51). He the son of William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel (age 48) and Joan Neville Countess Arundel.
On 17th February 1563 at Baynard's Castle [Map] a double wedding between two pairs of siblings, Talbot and Herbert, took place...
Henry Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 25) and Catherine Talbot Countess Pembroke (age 13) were married. She the daughter of George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 35) and Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 38). He the son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 62) and Anne Parr Countess Pembroke. They were third cousin once removed.
Francis Talbot (age 11) and Anne Herbert (age 13) were married. She the daughter of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Parr Countess Pembroke. He the son of George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were third cousin once removed.
On 17th February 1610 James Ogilvy 1st Earl Findlater (age 15) and Elizabeth Leslie were married. She the daughter of Andrew Leslie 5th Earl Rothes (age 80). They were first cousin once removed.
On 17th February 1628 Humble Ward 1st Baron Ward of Birmingham Baron Dudley (age 14) and Frances Sutton 6th Baroness Dudley (age 16) were married.
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 17th February 1639 Gervase Clifton 1st Baronet (age 51) and Jane Eyre Lady Clifton (age 19) were married. She by marriage Lady Clifton of Clifton in Nottinghamshire. The difference in their ages was 31 years.
On 17th February 1680 Captain John Smith (age 18) and Mary Warner (age 17) were married at Purton. She the daughter of Augustine Warner (age 38).
On 17th February 1700 James Rushout 2nd Baronet (age 24) and Arabella Vernon (age 30) were married.
On 17th February 1704 Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Baron Conway (age 24) and Mary Hyde were married. She the daughter of Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 61) and Henrietta Boyle Countess Rochester. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 17th February 1718 Anthony Grey 3rd Baron Lucas (age 22) and Mary Tufton Countess Gower were married. She the daughter of Thomas Tufton 6th Earl of Thanet (age 73) and Catherine Cavendish Countess Isle Thanet. He the son of Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent (age 47) and Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent (age 42). They were sixth cousins.
On 17th February 1735 Edmund Isham 6th Baronet (age 44) and Elizabeth Wood were married.
On 17th February 1739 James Dashwood 2nd Baronet (age 26) and Elizabeth Spencer Lady Dashwood (age 23) were married. She by marriage Lady Dashwood of Kirtlington Park in Oxfordshire. They had three sons and three daughters.
On 17th February 1761 Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Ailesbury (age 31) and Susanna Hoare Countess Ailesbury (age 28) were married. She by marriage Countess Ailesbury. He the son of George Brudenell 3rd Earl Cardigan and Elizabeth Bruce 3rd Countess Cardigan.
On 17th February 1807 William Bagot 2nd Baron Bagot (age 33) and Louisa Legge Baroness Bagot (age 19) were married. She by marriage Baroness Bagot of Bagot's Bromley in Staffordshire. She the daughter of George Legge 3rd Earl Dartmouth (age 51) and Frances Finch Countess Dartmouth (age 46). They were second cousin once removed.
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 17th February 1813 Frederick Collings Lukis (age 24) and Elizabeth Collings (age 21) were married. They had three daughters and six sons. They were first cousins.
On 17th February 1831 Alfred Harley 6th Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer (age 22) and Eliza Nugent Countess of Oxford and Mortimer (age 25) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of George Nugent 1st Marquess Westmeath (age 45). He the son of Edward Harley 5th Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer (age 57) and Jane Elizabeth Scott Countess of Oxford and Mortimer.
On 17th February 1841 Archibald William Montgomerie 13th Earl Eglinton (age 28) and Theresa Howe Newcomen (age 32) were married.
On 17th February 1903 Charles Joseph Thaddeus Dormer 14th Baron Dormer (age 38) and Caroline May Clifford Baroness Dormer were married.
On 17th February 1920 Captain Victor Malcolm Wombwell (age 26) and Sybil Rose Neumann Baroness Grimston were married. This marriage was annulled in 1921.
On 17th February 1920 John Albert William Spencer-Churchill 10th Duke of Marlborough (age 22) and Alexandra Mary Cadogan Duchess of Marlborough (age 19) were married at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. He the son of Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill 9th Duke of Marlborough (age 48) and Consuelo Vanderbilt Duchess of Marlborough (age 42).
On 17th February 1954 Christopher Beckett 4th Baron Grimthorpe (age 38) and Elizabeth Lumley Baroness Grimthorpe (age 28) were married. She the daughter of Roger Lumley 11th Earl of Scarbrough (age 57) and Katherine Isobel McEwen Countess Scarborough (age 54).
On 17th February 1243 Richard Mór Burgh 1st Baron Connaught (age 49) died.
On 14th February 1400 (exact date not known) King Richard II (age 33) died at Pontefract Castle [Map] where he had been imprisoned three months before; possibly murdered, possibly starved to death. His death was a consequence of the Epiphany Rising; he was still considered a threat.
Edmund Mortimer 5th Earl March 7th Earl of Ulster (age 8) de jure Heir to the Throne of England since he was descended from Philippa Plantagenet Countess March 2nd Countess Ulster the daughter of Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence. The new King Henry IV (age 32) ignored his claim. Edmund Mortimer 5th Earl March 7th Earl of Ulster and his brother Roger Mortimer (age 6) were imprisoned in Windsor and Berkhamstead castles respectively; they were treated well.
On 17th February 1400 Richard's corpse was displayed at St Paul's Cathedral [Map].
On 6th March 1400 Richard's remains were buried at King's Langley Priory, Hertfordshire [Map].
On 17th February 1461 the Lancastrian army defeated the Yorkist army at Second Battle of St Albans and rescued King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 39). The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 30) and included Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland (age 39), John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 45), Henry Grey 4th or 7th Baron Grey of Codnor (age 26), Henry Roos and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 33).
Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley (age 33), William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme (age 46), John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury (age 12) and Thomas Tresham (age 41) were knighted.
The Yorkist army included Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 32), William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel (age 43), John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock (age 61) and Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57). John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 30) was captured. Robert Poynings (age 42) and James Luttrell (age 34) were killed.
John Grey (age 29) was killed fighting for Lancaster. A death that was to have far reaching consequences; his widow Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 24) subsequently married King Edward IV of England (age 18).
During the battle William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville (age 68) and Thomas Kyriell (age 65) were assigned to the protection of the King Henry VI. After the battle both were beheaded against all decent laws of battle.
William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville was beheaded. His great granddaughter Cecily succeeded 2nd Baroness Bonville.
Thomas Kyriell was beheaded.
William Cotton (age 21) was killed.
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Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 17th February 1485 Bernarde de Brosse Marquis Monferrat died.
On 17th February 1523 William Stourton 5th Baron Stourton (age 66) died without issue. He was buried in the St Peter's Church, Stourton. His brother Edward (age 60) succeeded 6th Baron Stourton.
On 17th February 1557 Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex (age 50) died. He was buried at St Lawrence Pountney Church. His son Thomas (age 32) succeeded 3rd Earl of Sussex, 3rd Viscount Fitzwalter, 12th Baron Fitzwalter. Frances Sidney Countess Sussex (age 26) by marriage Countess of Sussex.
On 17th February 1626 William Wittelsbach V Duke Bavaria (age 77) died. His son Maximilian (age 52) succeeded Maximillian I Duke Bavaria.
On 17th February 1633 Frances Walsingham Countess Essex (age 66) died.
On 17th February 1677 Robert Greville 4th Baron Brooke (age 38) died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. His brother Fulke (age 33) succeeded 5th Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire. Sarah Dashwood Baroness Brooke (age 31) by marriage Baroness Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.
On 17th February 1680 Denzil Holles 1st Baron Holles (age 80) died. His son Francis (age 53) succeeded 2nd Baron Holles.
On 17th February 1706 Edmund Fettiplace 2nd Baronet (age 51) died unmarried. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Swinbrook [Map]. His brother Charles (age 44) succeeded 3rd Baronet Fettiplace of Childrey in Berkshire.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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On 17th February 1708 Edward Seymour 4th Baronet (age 75) died. His son Edward (age 47) succeeded 5th Baronet Seymour of Berry Pomeroy.
On 17th February 1711 Rachel Bence Countess of Westmoreland died.
On 17th February 1718 Charlotte Fitzroy Countess Lichfield (age 53) died. She a natural daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 17th February 1727 Richard Granville (age 48) died.
On 17th February 1729 John Ernest Saxe Coburg Saalfeld IV Duke Saxe Coburg Saalfeld (age 70) died. His son Christian (age 45) succeeded John IV Duke Saxe Coburg Saalfeld.
On 17th February 1734 Robert Crichton (age 95) died at Wells, Somerset [Map].
On 17th February 1759 Charlotte Montagu Viscountess Torrington (age 54) died. She was buried at Bing Vault, All Saints Church, Southill.
On 17th February 1761 Jacob Bouverie 1st Viscount Folkestone (age 66) died. His son William (age 35) succeeded 2nd Viscount Folkestone, 2nd Baron Longford, 4th Baronet Bouverie of St Catherine Cree Church in London. Rebecca Alleyne Viscountess Folkestone (age 35) by marriage Viscountess Folkestone.
On 17th February 1770 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 74) died. His son Harbord (age 36) succeeded 2nd Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk. Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield by marriage Lady Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk.
On 17th February 1802 Janet "Queen of the Gypsies" Fall (age 85) died.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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On 17th February 1804 Edward Craggs Eliot 1st Baron Eliot (age 76) died. His son John (age 42) succeeded 2nd Baron Eliot of St Germans in Cornwall.
On 8th February 1809 Brownlow Bertie 5th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (age 79) died without male issue at Grimsthorpe, South Kesteven. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Swinstead [Map] on 17th February 1809. Duke Ancaster and Kesteven, Marquess Lindsay extinct. His third cousin Albermarle (age 64) succeeded 9th Earl Lindsey.
Sculpted by Richard Westmacott (age 33). A handsome white marble wall tablet in Grecian style depicting deceased and wife on a catafalque with mourning female figure, flanked by mother, children and angel. Above a scrolled cornice with Ducal coronet and palm. Beneath a rectangular inscription panel, flanked by scrolled brackets.
On 17th February 1831 Friedrich Wilhelm Glücksburg Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg (age 46) died. His son Karl (age 18) succeeded Duke Schleswig Holstein Sonderburg Glücksburg.
On 17th February 1834 Thomas Clarges 4th Baronet (age 54) died unmarried. Baronet Clarges of St Martin's in the Fields in Middlesex extinct.
On 17th February 1845 Robert Grosvenor 1st Marquess Westminster (age 77) died at Eaton Hall, Cheshire [Map]. He was buried at Grosvenor Vault, St Mary's Church, Eccleston. His son Richard (age 50) succeeded 2nd Marquess Westminster, 3rd Earl Grosvenor, 9th Baronet Grosvenor of Eaton in Cheshire. Elizabeth Mary Leveson-Gower Marchioness Westminster (age 48) by marriage Marchioness Westminster.
On 17th February 1850 William Philipps 9th Baronet (age 55) died. His son Godwin (age 10) succeeded 10th Baronet Philips of Picton Castle.
On 17th February 1857 Godwin Philipps 10th Baronet (age 17) died unmarried. His fourth cousin James (age 64) succeeded 11th Baronet Philips of Picton Castle.
On 17th February 1890 William Eden 4th Baron Auckland (age 61) died. His son William (age 30) succeeded 5th Baron Auckland of West Auckland.
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 17th February 1898 Philip Sidney 2nd Baron De Lisle and Dudley (age 70) died. His son Philip (age 44) succeeded 3rd Baron De Lisle and Dudley, 4th Baronet Shelley-Sidney of Penshurst Place in Kent.
On 17th February 1904 Henry Gerard Sturt 1st Baron Alington (age 78) died. His son Humphrey (age 44) succeeded 2nd Baron Alington. Feodorowna Yorke Baroness Alington (age 40) by marriage Baroness Alington.
On 17th February 1912 Jane Frances Booker Lady Molesworth died.
On 17th February 1917 Charles Auguste Émile Durand "Carolus Duran" (age 79) died.
On 17th February 1944 Thomas Edward Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington 12th Baronet (age 86) died. His son Arthur (age 45) succeeded 13th Baronet Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington of Stanley in Yorkshire.
On 17th February 1953 Ian Maitland 15th Earl of Lauderdale (age 62) died. His first cousin Alfred (age 48) succeeded 16th Earl Lauderdale, 16th Viscount Maitland, 16th Viscount Lauderdale, 11th Baronet Maitland of Ravelrig in Nova Scotia.
On 17th February 1956 Vivian Hugh Smith 1st Baron Bicester (age 88) died. His son Randal (age 58) succeeded 2nd Baron Bicester of Tusmore in Oxfordshire.
On 17th February 1963 George Josslyn L'Estrange Howard 11th Earl Carlisle (age 68) died. His son Charles (age 39) succeeded 12th Earl Carlisle.
On 17th February 1976 Thurstan Holland-Hibbert 4th Viscount Knutsford (age 87) died. His son Julian (age 55) succeeded 5th Viscount Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 5th Baron Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 6th Baronet Holland of Sandlebridge.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 17th February 1978 Gerald Howard-Boteler Irby 9th Baron Boston (age 80) died. His son Timothy (age 38) succeeded 10th Baron Boston, 11th Baronet Irby of Whaplode and Boston.