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Annals of Kings Richard II and Henry IV 1393-1406

The Annals of Kings Richard II and Henry IV offers a vivid contemporary account of one of the most turbulent periods in late medieval England. Covering the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV, the chronicle records royal ceremonies, political conflict, rebellion, war, taxation, religious controversy, executions, popular unrest and remarkable portents. Its pages include a detailed description of Richard II’s coronation, the fall and deposition of the king, Henry IV’s seizure of the throne, the Percy rebellion, the execution of Archbishop Richard Scrope, the campaigns of Owain Glyndŵr, and England’s relations with Scotland, France, Portugal and Scandinavia. Alongside affairs of state, the annalist preserves reports of miracles, eclipses, prophecies, supernatural events and the experiences of ordinary townspeople, clergy, soldiers and travellers. Written from a monastic perspective, the work combines political observation with moral judgement, presenting victories and disasters as evidence of divine favour or punishment. At once a historical record and a reflection of medieval belief, the Annals provides an invaluable window into the challenges, ceremonies and conflicts of England at the turn of the fifteenth century.

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Bishop Thomas Langton -1501

Bishop Thomas Langton was born to Unamed Langton at Appleby-in-Westmoreland [Map].

Around 1464 Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge was born to Reginald Bainbridge and [his sister] Isabella Langton at Hilton, Westmoreland. His uncle was Bishop Thomas Langton.

On 1st July 1480 Bishop Thomas Langton was presented to All Hallows Church, Bread Street.

On 14th May 1482 Bishop Thomas Langton was presented to All Hallows Church, Lombard Street.

Before 9th April 1483 Bishop Thomas Langton was nominated Bishop of St David's. He was consecrated around Aug/Sep 1483.

On 8th February 1485 Bishop Thomas Langton was translated to Bishop of Salisbury.

Patent Rolls. 28th April 1485. Presentation of Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge [aged 21] to the parish church of Pembrige, in the diocese of Hereford, void by the resignation of [his uncle] Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury.

In 1493 Bishop Thomas Langton was translated to Bishop of Winchester.

On 22nd January 1501 Bishop Thomas Langton was elected Archbishop of Canterbury. He died five days later of the plague.

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Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.

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Before 27th January 1501 Bishop Thomas Langton had given 10 pounds towards the construction of Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge [Map].

On 27th January 1501 Bishop Thomas Langton died of plague. He was buried in a marble tomb within 'a very fair chapel' which he had built south of the lady-chapel in Winchester Cathedral [Map].