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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In 1766 Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley was born to [her father] Pierre Roland. There were rumors her biological father was Christopher Alexander Fagan
On 22nd May 1781 Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington (age 45) died at Kensington. He was buried at Grosvenor Chapel, Mayfair. His son [her future husband] Richard (age 20) succeeded 2nd Earl Mornington, 2nd Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle.
In 1787 [her illegitimate son] Richard Wellesley was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 26) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 21).
In 1788 [her illegitimate daughter] Anne Wellesley Lady Abdy was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 27) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 22).
On 25th February 1789 [her illegitimate daughter] Hyacinthe Mary Wellesley Baroness Hatherton was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 28) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 23).
In 1791 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun (age 35). Portrait of Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 25).
In 1792 [her illegitimate son] Gerald Wellesley was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 31) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 26).
Before 29th November 1794 [her illegitimate son] Henry Wellesley was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 34) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 28).
On 29th November 1794 Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 34) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 28) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She by marriage Countess Mornington. He the son of Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington and Anne Hill Countess Mornington (age 52).
Around 1795 Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 29) began to seek evidence for a divorce from her husband [her husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 34) who had two illegitimate children with another woman following his marriage to Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley. They formayy separated in 1810.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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1796. Henry Edridge (age 28). Portrait of Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 30).
In 1799 [her husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 38) was created 1st Marquess Wellesley. Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 33) by marriage Marchioness Wellesley.
On 10th April 1806 [her brother-in-law] Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Wellington (age 36) and Catherine "Kitty" Pakenham Duchess Wellington (age 33) were married at Dublin [Map]. He the son of Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington and [her mother-in-law] Anne Hill Countess Mornington (age 63).
On 3rd July 1806 [her son-in-law] William Abdy 7th Baronet (age 27) and [her illegitimate daughter] Anne Wellesley Lady Abdy (age 18) were married at Hyde Park Corner; this is possibly Apsley House, Hyde Park Corner. She by marriage Lady Abdy of Felix Hall in Kelveden in Essex. She the illegitmate daughter of [her husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 46) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 40).
Between 27th July 1809 and 28th July 1809 the Battle of Talavera, part of the Peninsular War, was fought between an Anglo Spanish army commanded by [her brother-in-law] Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Wellington (age 40) against the French. The French army withdrew at night after several of its attacks had been repulsed. Following the battle Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Wellington was created 1st Viscount Wellington of Talavera.
Hugh Gough 1st Viscount Gough (age 29) commanded the 2nd Battalion of the 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot.
General Henry Fane (age 30) commanded the 3rd Prince of Wales Dragoon Guards, 4th Queen's Own Dragoons.
Charles Henry Farrington 2nd Baronet (age 14) fought.
In 1810 [her husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 49) was appointed 635th Knight of the Garter by King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 71).
On 22nd July 1812 the Battle of Salamanca was fought at which an Anglo-Portuguese army under the [her brother-in-law] Earl of Wellington (age 43) defeated Marshal Auguste Marmont's French forces at Arapiles [Map].
Brother General Thomas Bradford (age 34) and Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Hollis Bradford (age 31) fought.
Major-General John Le Marchant (age 46) was killed in action. Wellington is reported as saying to Le Marchant that he must take the first favourable opportunity to engage the enemy's infantry, "You must then charge at all hazards" was his final instruction. Following up the attack of the 5th Infantry Division Le Marchant led the 3rd and 4th Dragoons and the 5th Dragoon Guards in what was probably the most destructive charge made by a single brigade of cavalry in the whole Napoleonic period. The left wing of the French army were on the point of being defeated by the 3rd and 5th divisions of Anglo-Portuguese infantry when Le Marchant's dragoons charged in and destroyed battalion after battalion. Many of the French infantrymen sought the protection of the British infantry to escape the sabres of the dragoons. Le Marchant, knowing he had achieved a magnificent success, was leading a squadron against the last of the formed French infantry when he was shot and his spine broken. See Fletcher's "Galloping at Everything: The British Cavalry in the Peninsula and at Waterloo 1808-15". Spellmount, Staplehurst. ISBN 1-86227-016-3. 1999, pp. 185–188.
In October 1812 [her son-in-law] Edward John Walhouse aka Littleton 1st Baron Hatherton (age 21) and [her illegitimate daughter] Hyacinthe Mary Wellesley Baroness Hatherton (age 23) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of [her husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 52) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 46).
In 1813 [her brother-in-law] Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Wellington (age 43) was appointed 640th Knight of the Garter by King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland (age 50) during the Regency.
On 11th May 1814 [her brother-in-law] Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Wellington (age 45) was created 1st Duke Wellington. Catherine "Kitty" Pakenham Duchess Wellington (age 41) by marriage Duchess Wellington.
On 16th July 1816 [her son-in-law] Charles Cavendish-Bentinck (age 36) and [her illegitimate daughter] Anne Wellesley Lady Abdy (age 28) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of [her husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 56) and Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 50). He the son of William Cavendish-Bentinck 3rd Duke Portland and Dorothy Cavendish 3rd Duchess Portland.
On 5th November 1816 Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (age 50) died at Teddesley Hall, Penkridge; home of her son-in-law [her son-in-law] Edward John Walhouse aka Littleton 1st Baron Hatherton (age 25), husband of her daughter [her illegitimate daughter] Hyacinthe Mary Wellesley Baroness Hatherton (age 27).
On 14th November 1816 Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley (deceased) was buried at St Michael's Church, Penkridge [Map].
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 29th October 1825 [her former husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 65) and Marianne Caton Marchioness Wellesley (age 37) were married. She by marriage Marchioness Wellesley. The difference in their ages was 27 years. He the son of Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington and [her former mother-in-law] Anne Hill Countess Mornington (age 83).
She one of the four Caton sisters, daughters of Richard Caton (age 62), a merchant from Baltimore, the three eldest, known as the "The Three American Graces", married European husbands. Only the fourth daughter Emily Caton (age 30) had children.
Marianne Caton Marchioness Wellesley married Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley,
Elizabeth Caton Baroness Stafford (age 35) married George William Stafford-Jerningham 8th Baron Stafford (age 54),
Louisa Catharine Caton Duchess Leeds (age 32) married firstly Felton Elwell Hervey-Bathurst 1st Baronet and secondly Francis Godolphin Osborne 7th Duke Leeds (age 27).
Emily Caton married Consul John MacTavish (age 38).
On 26th September 1842 [her former husband] Richard Wellesley 1st Marquess Wellesley (age 82) died at Kingston House Knightsbridge, Kensington. His brother [her former brother-in-law] William (age 79) succeeded 3rd Earl Mornington, 3rd Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle. Katherine Forbes Countess Mornington (age 81) by marriage Countess Mornington.