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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Earl Mar is in Earl of Mar.
Around 1250 Donald Mar 6th Earl of Mar succeeded 6th Earl Mar.
On 25th July 1297 Donald Mar 7th Earl of Mar succeeded 7th Earl Mar.
On 12th August 1332 Domhnhall Mar 9th Earl of Mar died. His sixth cousin once removed Thomas [aged 2] succeeded 10th Earl Mar.
After 15th August 1352 Thomas Mar 10th Earl of Mar [aged 22] and Margaret Graham 3rd Countess Menteith [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. See Dispensation. She the daughter of John Graham Earl Menteith and Margaret Graham 2nd Countess Menteith and Mar. He the son of Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar and Isabella Stewart. They were fourth cousin once removed.
Around 1355 Thomas Mar 10th Earl of Mar [aged 25] and Margaret Stewart 3rd Countess Angus and Mar were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. She the daughter of Thomas Stewart 2nd Earl Angus [aged 24]. He the son of Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar and Isabella Stewart. They were first cousin once removed.
Before 1366 Thomas Erskine 13th Earl of Mar [aged 19] and Mary Douglas Countess Mar [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. She the daughter of William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl and Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl [aged 30].
In 1377 Thomas Mar 10th Earl of Mar [aged 47] died. His sister Margaret succeeded 11th Countess Mar.
On either 5th August 1388 or 19th August 1388 a Scottish army commanded by John Swinton defeated an English army commanded by Henry "Hotspur" Percy [aged 24] during the Battle of Otterburn at Otterburn [Map]. Henry "Hotspur" Percy and his brother Ralph Percy [aged 29] were captured as was Matthew Redman [aged 60]. The English suffered 1000 killed, 2000 captured. The Scottish 100 killed, 200 captured.
On the Scottish side James Douglas 2nd Earl Douglas [aged 30] was killed. His sister Isabel [aged 28] succeeded Countess Mar.
John Dunbar 1st Earl of Moray [aged 46] fought.
In 1404 Thomas Erskine 13th Earl of Mar [aged 58] died at Erskine. His grandson Thomas de jure 14th Earl Mar.
In 1404 Alexander Stewart 1st Earl of Mar [aged 29] and Isabel Douglas Countess Mar [aged 44] were married. He by marriage Earl Mar. She the daughter of William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas and Margaret Mar Countess Douglas 11th Countess Mar. He the son of Alexander "The Wolf of Badenoch" Stewart 3rd Earl Buchan [aged 61] and Mariota Mackay Countess Moray. They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England.
In 1408 Isabel Douglas Countess Mar [aged 48] died. Earl Mar extinct.
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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In 1453 Robert Erskine died. Thomas Erskine 13th Earl of Mar de jure 13th Earl Mar.
Around 1458 John Stewart 1st Earl of Mar [aged 2] was created 1st Earl Mar.
On 2nd March 1486 John Stewart 1st Earl of Mar [aged 6] was created 1st Earl Mar.
In 1513 John Erskine 17th Earl of Mar [aged 25] succeeded 17th Earl Mar, 5th Lord Erskine.
On 9th September 1513 at the Battle of Flodden was fought at the Branxton, Northumberland [Map]. the English army was commanded by Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk [aged 70], Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 40], Edmund Howard [aged 35], Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 45], Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 51] and Marmaduke Constable [aged 56].
The English army included: Henry "Shepherd Lord" Clifford 10th Baron Clifford [aged 59], William Conyers 1st Baron Conyers [aged 44], Thomas Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley [aged 41] and Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape [aged 45].
Father and son Ralph ellerker of risby in yorkshire and Ralph Ellerker were knighted by Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey, as were Marmaduke Constable [aged 33], William Constable [aged 38], George Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Aston [aged 16], Edmund Walsingham [aged 33], Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh [aged 25] and Walter Stonor [aged 36].
John Booth [aged 78], Randall Babington, John Bigod [aged 38] and Thomas Fitzwilliam [aged 39], Christopher Savage [aged 49], Thomas Venables [aged 44] and Brian Tunstall [aged 33] were killed.
Bryan Stapleton of Wighill [aged 55] was killed. (Some reports have him dying in 1518).
The Scottish army suffered heavy casualties:
King James IV of Scotland [aged 40] was killed. His body was taken to London, then to Sheen Priory, Richmond [Map]; thereafter it disappeared. His son James [aged 1] succeeded V King Scotland.
Archbishop Alexander Stewart [aged 20] was killed.
David Kennedy 1st Earl Cassilis [aged 43] was killed. His son Gilbert [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Cassilis. Isabel Campbell Countess Cassilis by marriage Countess Cassilis.
William Sinclair 2nd Earl Caithness [aged 54] was killed. His son John succeeded 3rd Earl Caithness.
Matthew Stewart 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Earl Lennox.
William Hay 4th Earl Erroll was killed. His son William [aged 18] succeeded 5th Earl Erroll.
John Douglas 2nd Earl Morton was killed. His son James succeeded 3rd Earl Morton, 6th Lord Dalkeith.
Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell was killed. His son Patrick [aged 1] succeeded 3rd Earl Bothwell.
Alexander Stewart 4th of Garlies [aged 32] was killed. His son Alexander [aged 6] succeeded 5th Lord Garlies.
Alexander Elphinstone 1st Lord Elphinstone was killed. His son Alexander [aged 3] succeeded 2nd Lord Elphinstone.
Thomas Hay, George Hepburn Bishop Isles [aged 59], Adam Hepburn Master [aged 56], Thomas "Younger of Cushnie" Lumsden
William Douglas 6th Lord Drumlanrig was killed. William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig succeeded 7th Lord Drumlanrig.
George Seton 5th Lord Seton was killed. His son George succeeded 6th Lord Seton.
John Hay 2nd Lord Hay of Yester was killed. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Lord Hay of Yester. Elizabeth Douglas Lady Hay by marriage Lord Hay of Yester.
Henry Sinclair 3rd Lord Sinclair [aged 48] was killed. His son William succeeded 4th Lord Sinclair.
James Stewart 1st Lord of Traquair [aged 33] was killed. His son William [aged 7] succeeded 2nd Lord Traquair.
John Maxwell 4th Lord Maxwell [aged 57] was killed. His son Robert [aged 20] succeeded 5th Lord Maxwell.
George Home 4th Lord Home and John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl [aged 38] fought.
William Graham 1st Earl Montrose [aged 49] was killed. His son William [aged 21] succeeded 2nd Earl Montrose.
Robert Erskine 4th Lord Erskine 16th Earl of Mar was killed. His son John [aged 26] de jure 17th Earl Mar, Lord Erskine.
Thomas Stewart 2nd Lord Innermeath [aged 52] was killed. His son Richard succeeded 3rd Lord Innermeath.
Robert Crichton 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar [aged 41] was killed. His son Robert [aged 22] succeeded 3rd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
Father and son William Rollo [aged 59] and Robert Rollo 5th of Duncrub [aged 34], brothers David Lyon of Cossins, William Lyon and George Lyon were killed. John Somerville 1st of Cambusnethan [aged 55], William Keith of Inverugie [aged 43], David Wemyss of Wemyss [aged 40], Robert Keith Master of Marischal [aged 30], Guiscard Harbottle [aged 28], John Erskine, David Home [aged 22], Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale [aged 43], Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll [aged 64], Robert Douglas of Lochleven [aged 89] were killed. William Murray [aged 43], Colin Oliphant [aged 26], William Ruthven [aged 33], George Douglas [aged 44] and William Douglas [aged 42] were killed. Walter Lindsay of Arden and Walter Lindsay [aged 33] were killed.
Before 1528 John Erskine 17th Earl of Mar [aged 40] and Margaret Campbell Countess Mar were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. She the daughter of Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll and Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll [aged 64]. They were fifth cousins.
On 11th November 1555 John Erskine 17th Earl of Mar [aged 68] died. His son John succeeded 18th Earl Mar, 6th Lord Erskine.
On 28th October 1572 John Erskine 18th Earl of Mar died at Stirling [Map]. His son John [aged 10] succeeded 19th Earl Mar. Anne Drummond Countess Mar [aged 17] by marriage Countess Mar.
In December 1592 John Erskine 19th Earl of Mar [aged 30] and Mary Stewart Countess Mar [aged 10] were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Esme Stewart 1st Duke Lennox and Catherine Balsac Duchess Lennox. He the son of John Erskine 18th Earl of Mar. They were third cousin once removed.
On 14th December 1634 John Erskine 19th Earl of Mar [aged 72] died. His son John [aged 49] succeeded 20th Earl Mar.
In 1654 John Erskine 20th Earl of Mar [aged 69] died. His son John succeeded 21st Earl Mar.
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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In 1668 John Erskine 21st Earl of Mar died. His son Charles [aged 17] succeeded 22nd Earl Mar.
On 23rd May 1689 Charles Erskine 22nd Earl of Mar [aged 38] died. His son John [aged 14] succeeded 23rd Earl Mar.
On 6th April 1703 John Erskine 23rd Earl of Mar [aged 28] and Margaret Hay Countess Mar [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. She the daughter of Thomas Hay 7th Earl Kinnoull [aged 43]. He the son of Charles Erskine 22nd Earl of Mar.
After 26th April 1707 John Erskine 23rd Earl of Mar [aged 32] and Frances Pierrepont Countess Mar were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. She the daughter of Evelyn Pierrepont 1st Duke Kingston upon Hull [aged 52] and Mary Fielding Countess Kingston upon Hull. He the son of Charles Erskine 22nd Earl of Mar.
In 1716 John Erskine 23rd Earl of Mar [aged 41] was attainted for his role in the First Jacobite Rebellion the previous year. Earl Mar forfeit.
Domhnhall Mar 9th Earl of Mar succeeded 9th Earl Mar.
Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar succeeded II Earl Mar.
Gartnait Mar 8th Earl Mar succeeded 8th Earl Mar.
Donald Mar 7th Earl of Mar and Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar were married. She by marriage Countess Mar. He the son of Donald Mar 6th Earl of Mar.
Donald Mar 6th Earl of Mar succeeded 6th Earl Mar.