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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In 1663 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] James Johnstone of Westerhall, Dumfriesshire and [his mother] Maragaret Bannatyne.
On 9th February 1697 [his son] James Johnstone 3rd Baronet was born to William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 34).
Before 1698 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 34) and Henrietta Johnston were married.
On 13th February 1698 [his son] Lieutenant-Colonel John Johnstone of Netherwood was born to William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 35). He married 1st December 1731 Charlotte van Lore van den Bempdé Marchioness of Annandale.
On 30th November 1708 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 45) was elected MP Dumfries Burghs which seat he held until 1710.
On 30th September 1711 [his brother] John Johnstone 1st Baronet died without male issue. His brother William (age 48) succeeded 2nd Baronet Johnstone of Westerhall in Dumfries.
In 1713 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 50) was elected MP Dunfrieshire and MP Dumfries Burghs which seats he held until 1715.
On 9th May 1713 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 50) was elected MP Dumfries Burghs which seat he held until 8th August 1713.
In 1715 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 52) was elected MP Dunfrieshire which seats he held until 1722.
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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On 8th October 1727 William Johnstone 2nd Baronet (age 64) died. His son James (age 30) succeeded 3rd Baronet Johnstone of Westerhall in Dumfries.
Father: James Johnstone of Westerhall, Dumfriesshire
GrandFather: John Bannatyne of Corehouse in Lanarkshire
Mother: Maragaret Bannatyne