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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Paternal Family Tree: Elphinstone
On 7th January 1746 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith was born to [his father] Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone (age 35).
In 1757 [his grandfather] Charles Elphinstone 9th Lord Elphinstone (age 81) died. His son [his father] Charles (age 46) succeeded 10th Lord Elphinstone.
In 1781 [his father] Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone (age 70) died. His son [his brother] John (age 44) succeeded 11th Lord Elphinstone.
On 31st March 1785 [his brother-in-law] James Drummond 11th Earl Perth (age 41) and [his sister] Clementia Elphinstone Countess Perth (age 35) were married. She by marriage Countess Perth.
In 1787 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 40) and Jane Mercer were married.
On 12th June 1788 [his daughter] Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith was born to George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 42) and [his wife] Jane Mercer. She married 20th June 1817 Charles Joseph Comte de Flahaut and had issue.
In 1797 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 50) was created 1st Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marrischal with remainder in default of issue male of his own to his daughter and only child from his first marriage, Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, and the heirs male of her body.
On 15th December 1801 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 55) was created 1st Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marischal Kincardine with normal remainder to heirs male.
In 1803 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 56) was created 1st Baron Keith of Banheath in Dumbarton with remainder to his daughter and only child from his first marriage, Margaret Mercer Elphinstone and the heirs male of her body.
On 10th January 1808 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 62) and Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith (age 43) were married.
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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In December 1809 [his daughter] Georgiana Elphinstone was born to George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 63) and [his wife] Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith (age 45). Her godparents were King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland (age 47) and King William IV of the United Kingdom (age 44). She married 20th September 1831 Augustus John Villiers, son of George Child-Villiers 5th Earl Jersey and Sarah Sophia Fane Countess Jersey.
In 1814 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 67) was created 1st Viscount Keith. [his wife] Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith (age 49) by marriage Viscountess Keith.
After 1815. George Sanders (age 41). Portrait of George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 68).
On 20th June 1817 [his son-in-law] Charles Joseph Comte de Flahaut (age 32) and [his daughter] Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith (age 29) were married at Edinburgh.
On 31st August 1822 [his sister] Clementia Elphinstone Countess Perth (age 73) died.
On 10th March 1823 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith (age 77) died. Viscount Keith and Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marischal Kincardine extinct
[his daughter] Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith (age 34) succeeded 2nd Baroness Keith of Stonehaven Marrischal, 2nd Baroness Keith of Banheath in Dumbarton.
Before 1825. William Owen (age 55). Portrait of George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith.
On 31st March 1857 [his former wife] Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith (age 92) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 18 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 31 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Elphinstone 4th Lord Elphinstone 12 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Elphinstone of Barnes 13 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Elphinstone 6th Lord Elphinstone 14 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Elphinstone 8th Lord Elphinstone 15 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: Charles Elphinstone 9th Lord Elphinstone 16 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Maitland 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Maitland 1st Earl Lauderdale
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Maitland 3rd Earl Lauderdale
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabel Maitland
Father: Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone 17 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith 18 x Great Grand Son of King John of England