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Westminster Chronicle of King Richard II, 1381-1394

The Westminster Chronicle is one of the most vivid and important narrative sources for the reign of Richard II. Written by an anonymous chronicler closely connected with Westminster Abbey, it covers the years 1381 to 1394, from the Peasants’ Revolt to the political tensions, court ceremonies, diplomatic negotiations, royal progresses, and public crises of Richard’s later reign. Rich in detail the chronicle records major events such as the conflicts between the King and Lords Appellant, King and the City of London, negotiations with France and Scotland, the death and funeral of Queen Anne of Bohemia, the illness of Charles VI of France, and the changing fortunes of leading nobles including John of Gaunt, Thomas of Gloucester, Robert de Vere, and the Earl of Arundel. The Chronicle offers readers a remarkable window into late fourteenth-century England, combining political observation, courtly spectacle, urban drama, ecclesiastical affairs, and moral judgement. It is an essential source for anyone interested in medieval monarchy, London, Westminster, and the troubled reign of Richard II.

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Poitou, France, Europe

Poitou is in France.

1152 Marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

1168 Eleanor Ambushed by Guy de Lusignan

1373 Battle of Chiset

Before 1086 Roger "The Poitevin" Montgomery Viscount Hiemois [aged 20] and Almodis La Marche were married at Poitou. She the daughter of Aldebert La Marche II Count La Marche. He the son of Roger "The Great" Montgomery 1st Earl of Shrewsbury and Mabel de Bellême.

In 1181 Piers Mauley was born at Poitou.

On 19th July 1230 Theobald Butler [aged 30] died at Poitou. He was buried at Arklow Abbey, Arklow, County Wicklow. His son Theobald [aged 6] succeeded 3rd Chief Butler Ireland.

On 21st March 1373 John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux [aged 36] was captured during the Battle of Chiset at Chizé at which the English were defeated by the French forces commanded by Bertrand Geusclin [aged 53]. The battle brought an end to English control in Poitou.

Fontenay le Comte, Poitou, France, Europe

In 1369 James Audley [aged 51] died at Fontenay le Comte. He was buried in Poitiers [Map].

Gascoigne, Poitou, France, Europe

On 24th August 1230 Geoffrey Saye [aged 75] died at Gascoigne.

Lusignan, Poitou, France, Europe

Around 1150 Guy I King Jerusalem was born to Hugh VIII of Lusignan [aged 42] and Bourgogne Dame de Fontenay Taillebourg Countess Lusignan at Lusignan. He married August 1186 Sibylla Anjou Queen Jerusalem, daughter of Almaric I King Jerusalem and Agnes Courtenay Queen Jerusalem.

Poitiers, Poitou, France, Europe [Map]

On 17th August 1153 William Plantagenet IX Count Poitiers was born to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 20] and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 31] at Poitiers [Map]. He died aged two in 1156.

In 1369 James Audley [aged 51] died at Fontenay le Comte. He was buried in Poitiers [Map].

Church of St Hilary, Poitiers, Poitou, France, Europe

On 27th March 1168 Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 46] and her party were ambushed by brothers Guy I King Jerusalem [aged 18] and Geoffrey Lusignan [aged 18].

Patrick of Salisbury 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 46] was killed. He was buried at the Church of St Hilary, Poitiers. His son William [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Salisbury.

William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 22] held off the enemy, was wounded and captured whilst Eleanor escaped. Eleanor subsequently paid his ransom.

Pierre Levée Chambered Tomb, Poitiers, Poitou, France, Europe [Map]

See Prehistoric Aquitaine Burials.

Pierre Levée Chambered Tomb [Map] is a dolmen located in Poitiers. Known since Antiquity, the Roman road Lemonum (Poitiers) - Avaricum (Bourges) - Lugdunum (Lyon) passed nearby, it is mentioned since the Middle Ages, being the subject of several descriptions or representations, and it is associated with local folklore.

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The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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1699. Pierre Levée Chambered Tomb [Map] by Louis Boudan.

Poitiers Cathedral, Poitou, France, Europe [Map]

On 18th May 1152 Whit Sunday King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 19] and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 30] were married at Poitiers Cathedral [Map]. They were more closely related than Eleanor and her previous husband Louis VII King of the Franks [aged 32]. The marriage would bring the Kingdom of England, and the Duchies of Normandy and Aquitaine under the control of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy and Empress Matilda [aged 50]. They were half third cousins. He a grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Thouars, Poitou, France, Europe

On 9th May 1427 Francoise Amboise Duchess Brittany was born to Louis Amboise [aged 35] in Thouars. She married June 1442 Peter Montfort II Duke Brittany, son of John Montfort V Duke Brittany and Joan Valois Duchess Brittany.

Chateau Thouars, Poitou, France, Europe

In December 1599 Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby was born to Claude de La Tremoille 2nd Duke Thouars [aged 33] and Charlotte Flandrina Orange Nassau [aged 20] in Chateau Thouars. She married 26th June 1626 James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby, son of William Stanley 6th Earl of Derby and Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby, and had issue.

Church of Saint-Laon Thouars, Poitou, France, Europe

On 16th August 1445 Margaret Stewart Dauphine of France [aged 20] died at Châlons-en-Champagne [Map]. She was buried at the Church of Saint-Laon Thouars.