Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Rome, Italy
Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire
Monument to Henrietta Somerset
St Nicholas Church, Whiston
Church of St Edward King and Martyr, Goathurst
Corby Castle, Cumberland
Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral
Ripon Cathedral
St Mary's Church, Staindrop
St Peter's Church, Shelford
Bath, Somerset
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tittleshall
Lichfield Cathedral
Church of St Michael and All Angels, Edenham
On 11th August 1737 Joseph Nollekens was born in 28 Dean Street.
From 1760 Joseph Nollekens [aged 22] studied under Peter Scheemakers [aged 69] in Rome, Italy [Map].
On 17th September 1766 Lieutenant-General Bennett Noel [aged 51] died. He was buried at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map]. After 7th April 1784 Elizabeth Adams [aged 51] was buried with her husband.
Monument sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 29].
Lieutenant-General Bennett Noel: Lieutenant-General Bennett Noel and Elizabeth Adams were married. In 1715 he was born to John Noel and Elizabeth Sherard.
Elizabeth Adams: Around 1715 she was born to Robert Adams. In 1736 Robert Adams died. His estate, reputedly worth £100,000 was divided between his two daughters Margaretta Anna Adams and Elizabeth Adams. On 7th April 1784 she died.
In 1770 Joseph Nollekens [aged 32] set up as a maker of busts and. Monuments in 9 Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia.
On 25th July 1770 Henrietta Somerset Lady Williams-Wynn [aged 22] died. Monument [Map] to Henrietta Somerset Lady Williams-Wynn sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 32].
After 30th March 1775. Monument to William Irby 1st Baron Boston [deceased] at St Nicholas Church, Whiston [Map] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 37].
In 1777 Joseph Nollekens [aged 39] and Mary Welch [aged 34] were married.
On 25th April 1785 Charles Tynte 5th Baronet [aged 74] died. Baronet Tynte of Halswell in Somerset extinct. He was buried on 8th September 1785 at the Church of St Edward King and Martyr, Goathurst [Map] where he has amonument by Joseph Nollekens [aged 47]. His estates were inherired by his niece Jane Hassell, daughter of his sister Jane Tynte, who had married Colonel John Johnson aka Kemeys-Tynte who changed his name from Johnson to Kemeys-Tynte.
1787. Monument in Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map] to Baptist Noel 4th Earl Gainsborough and Elizabeth Chapman Countess Gainsborough sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 49] in 1787. A reclining female figure with a cornucopia, on a sarcophagus backed by an obelisk with medallions and putti.
Elizabeth Chapman Countess Gainsborough: In 1708 she was born. In 1728 Baptist Noel 4th Earl Gainsborough and she were married. She by marriage Countess Gainsborough. He the son of Baptist Noel 3rd Earl Gainsborough and Dorothy Manners Countess Gainsborough. After 21st March 1751 Thomas Noel and she were married. On 13th November 1771 she died.
Sculpted by Joseph Nollekens.
1787. Joseph Nollekens [aged 49]. Design for monument to Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 68] at St Mary Church, Great Barrington.
In 1788 Peter Rouw [aged 16] was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited there until 1838. He a friend of Joseph Nollekens [aged 50].
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 9th September 1789 Maria Archer [aged 21] died in childbirth at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map]. Monument in Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral [Map] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 52] costing £1500. He regarded it as his finest work; entitled Faith. When Nollekens realized that his work was destined for so remote a part of the Kingdom it is said that he burst into tears as he felt so few people would see it. This work is represented on the Nollekens Monument in Paddington Parish Church by William Behnes. On seeing the sculpture Wordsworth wrote "XXXIX Monument Of Mrs Howard By Nollekens In Wetheral Church, Near Corby, On The Banks Of The Eden".
Maria Archer: Around 1768 she was born to Andrew Archer 2nd Baron Archer and Sarah West Baroness Archer. On 22nd November 1788 Henry Howard and she were married.
On 30th April 1792 William Weddell of Newby [aged 55] died. He was buried in Ripon Cathedral [Map]. Monument with bust by Joseph Nollekens [aged 54].
William Weddell of Newby: On 13th May 1736 he was born.
After 30th July 1792. Memorial to Mary Blackman [deceased] at St Nicholas Church, Whiston [Map] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 54].
Mary Blackman: Around 1744 she was born to Rowland Blackman of Antigua. Before 30th July 1792 William Henry Irby and she were married. On 30th July 1792 she died.
On 5th August 1793 John Lee [aged 61] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map] where he has a monument sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 55].
John Zoffany His Life and Works. Around 1798. Johan Joseph Zoffany [aged 64]. Charles Townley and Friends in His Library at Park Street, Westminster
Group representing Charles Towneley [aged 60], the collector, in his library with his marbles, which are now in the British Museum. He is surrounded by his books, and in conversation with D'Hancarville, near whose chair stand Charles Greville and Thomas Astle. Nollekens [aged 60] writes of the picture as follows:
'The best of the marbles were brought into the painting-room to the artist, who made them up into a picturesque composition according to his own taste. The likeness of Mr. Towneley," he adds, "is extremely good; he looks like the dignified possessor of such treasures. At his feet lies his faithful dog Kam, a native Kamschatka, whose mother was one of the dogs yoked to a sledge which drew Captain King in that island." 50 x 39. P.
Around 1800. Joseph Nollekens [aged 62]. Design for monument to Maria Archer at Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral [Map].
1800. Joseph Nollekens [aged 62]. Design for monument to Maria Archer at Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral [Map].
After 1800. St Peter's Church, Shelford [Map]. Monument to Elizabeth Stanhope. Bust sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 62].
Elizabeth Stanhope: she was born to William Stanhope and Anne Hussey Delaval. In 1734 John Ellis and she were married. In November 1747 Welbore Ellis 1st Baron Mendip and she were married. In August 1761 Elizabeth Stanhope died.
On 2nd June 1800 Jane Dutton [aged 46] died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. Monument in Church of St Mary the Virgin, Tittleshall [Map] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 62]. Flat obelisk background. Pedestal with inscription and supporting the carving which is centred around a broken column with standing figure of woman leaning on it in front of opened book. Angel on cloud above and putto below holding up a flaming heart.
Jane Dutton: On 29th November 1753 she was born to James Lenox Dutton and Jane Bond at Sherborne, Gloucestershire. On 25th October 1775 Thomas Coke 1st Earl of Leicester and she were married at Sherborne, Gloucestershire.
Memorials of Francis Chantrey RA in Hallamshire and Elsewhere Part V London Life and Works. In 1812, Chantrey [aged 30] exhibited busts of Johnes of Hafod, of Curran, of Stothard, and of Northcote. In 1813, a bust of Cline, for the Royal College of Surgeons, and six others, including Granville Sharp. In 1814, busts of the King, of Professor Playfair, and a colossal head of the Duke of Wellington. In 1815, a bust of James Watt. In 1816, busts of the Marquis of Anglesey, Sir Everard Home, and Sir Joseph Banks. In 1817, (then newly made an associate of the Royal Academy,) "The Sleeping Children, "(the monument now in Lichfield Cathedral [Map],) and busts of Nollekens [aged 74], Sir James Clarke, Bone the enamelist, Bird the painter, and Hookham Frere.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1817 [his wife] Mary Welch [aged 74] died.
After 29th June 1820. Church of St Michael and All Angels, Edenham [Map]. Monument to Peter Burrell Baron Willoughby, 1st Baron Gwydyr [deceased] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 82]. Freestanding square marble shaft bears a bust.
On 23rd April 1823 Joseph Nollekens [aged 85] died.
Before 1835 . William Beechey [aged 81]. Portrait of Joseph Nollekens. An autographed replica by Beechey of the work which now hangs in the Tate Britain, London
