The chronicle: 1215-34

Annales Cestrienses Chronicle of the Abbey of S. Werburg, At Chester. Originally published by Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, London, 1887.

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'The chronicle: 1215-34', in Annales Cestrienses Chronicle of the Abbey of S. Werburg, At Chester, (London, 1887) pp. 50-59. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lancs-ches-record-soc/vol14/pp50-59 [accessed 20 April 2024]

1215-34

mccxv In vigilia Sancti Andree captum est a rege Johanne castellum Rouecestrense ubi multi barones Anglie contra regem conspirantes capti sunt. 1215 On the eve of S. Andrew [November 29] the castle of Rochester was captured by king John, where many of the barons of England who were conspiring against the king were captured.
mccxvj Lodovicus intravit in Angliam et Hugo de Pasey occisus est.
Item Johannes Rex Anglie obiit die Sancti Kalixti pape Henricus filius ejus primogenitus . . . . . . . . coronatus . . . . . . . . (fn. 1) in die apostolorum Simonis et Jude. 		1216 Louis [of France] entered England, and Hugh de Pasey was killed.
Also John, king of England, died on pope S. Calixtus' day [October 14]; his eldest son, Henry, was crowned on the feast of the apostles Simon and Jude [October 28].
mccxvij Capta est Lincolnia a Comite Ranulpho Cestrie et Willelmo Marescallo et ceteris qui cum Rege Johanne [Henrico] tunc temporis tenuerunt in vigilia Sancte Trinitatis. 1217 On the eve of the Holy Trinity [May 20], Lincoln was captured by Randle, earl of Chester, and William Marshal [earl of Pembroke] and others who at this time held with king [Henry].
mccxviij Pacificati sunt dominus Ranulphus (fn. 2) comes Cestrie et Lewelinus princeps Wallie, et in Septimana Pentecostes proxima profectus est dominus Rannulphus comes Cestrie Jerosolimam. 1218 Peace was made between the lord Randle, earl of Chester, and Llewelin, prince of Wales, and in the following Whit Week [June 3-9] the lord Randle, earl of Chester, set out for Jerusalem.
mccxix Convenerunt abbates nigri ordinis anglie apud Oxoniam de ordine monachali predicatorum.
Item capta est Damieta a Christianis eodem anno in vigilia Beati Leonardi. 		1219 The abbots of England of the black order [Benedictines], assembled at Oxford, concerning the monastic order of Preachers.
Also Damietta was captured by the Christians in the same year on the eve of S. Leonard [November 5].
mccxx Rediit dominus Rannulphus comes Cestrie de Damata venitque Cestriam in crastino Assumpcionis receptus cum maxima veneratione tam cleri quam plebis.
Lewelinus etiam princeps Wallie venit ad eum eodem die, cui dominus Rannulphus comes in (fn. 3) . . . 		1220 The lord Randle, earl of Chester, returned from Damietta, and came to Chester on the morrow of the Assumption [of the Blessed Virgin, August 16]. He was received with the greatest veneration as well by the clergy as the laity.
Also Llewelin, prince of Wales, came to him the same day, to whom the lord Randle, earl . . . . . .
mccxxj Johannes constabularius Cestrie duxit in uxorem filiam Roberti de Quenci neptam domini Rannulphi comitis Cestrie. 1221 John [de Lacy] constable of Chester, took to wife the daughter of Robert de Quency, niece of the lord Randle, earl of Chester.
mccxxij Johannes filius comitis David duxit in uxorem filiam Lewelini pro finali concordia inter ipsum et comitem Cestrie. 1222 John, son of earl David [of Huntingdon], took to wife the daughter of Llewelin, for the purpose of effecting a lasting peace between himself and the earl of Chester.
mccxxiij Venit Johannes de Brienn rex ierosolimitanus cum ceteris magnatibus Orientis in Angliam pro succursu terre sancte.
Item in die circumcisionis tempestas maxima, mirabilia sunt.
Item generale interdictum in Wallia.
Item obiit Philippus Rex Francorum. Et pie memorie Willelmus episcopus Coventrensis. 		1223 John de Brienne, king of Jerusalem, came into England with other great men of the East, seeking for assistance for the Holy Land.
Also on the feast of the Circumcision [January 1, 1224] there was a very great tempest, and wonderful things happened.
Also there was a general interdict over Wales.
Also Philip, king of the French, died. Also William [of Cornhill], bishop of Coventry, of pious memory.
mccxxiiij Magnates anglie reddiderunt wardas (fn. 4) suas.
Item Hugo de Lacy applicuit in Hyberniam.
Item captum est castrum de Bedeford in crastino assumpcionis. (fn. 5)
Item consecratus est Alexander episcopus Cestrie consecratus est autem Rome a domino papa die Pasche qui contigit ipso anno xviij kal. Maij. 		1224 The great men of England surrendered [to the king] the Wardships of their heirs.
Also Hugh de Lacy betook himself to Ireland.
Also the castle of Bedford was captured [by the king from Falkes de Breauté] on the morrow of the Assumption [of our Lady, August 16].
Also Alexander [de Stavensby] was consecrated bishop of Chester. But he was consecrated at Rome by our lord pope [Honorius] on Easter Day, which fell this year on April 14.
mccxxv Rannulphus comes Cestrie cepit talagium pedale. (fn. 6)
Item transfretavit Ricardus frater regis Anglie in Gasconiam.
Item Rannulphus comes Cestrie cepit edificare castrum de Bestan. 		1225 Randle, earl of Chester, levied a tax upon all persons passing through his dominions.
Also Richard [earl of Cornwall], brother of the king of England, crossed the seas into Gascony.
Also Randle, earl of Chester, began to build Beeston castle.
mccxxvj Obiit dominus Hugo abbas Cestrie, successit ei Willelmus Marmiun. (fn. 7) 1226 The lord Hugh [Grylle], abbot of Chester, died. William Marmion succeeded him [as 9th abbot].
mccxxvij Johannes de Scocia factus est miles a rege Scocie in die Penticostes.
Item pons Cestrie totus cecidit.
Item obiit Bertrudis comitissa cestrie. 		1227 John le Scot [nephew of earl Randle] was knighted by the king of Scotland on Whitsunday.
Also the whole of the bridge of Chester fell down.
Also Bertrada, countess of Chester [widow of earl Hugh], died.
mccxxviij Causa que vertebatur inter ecclesias Coventrie et Lichfeld terminata est. (fn. 8)
Item Lewelinus cepit filium suum Griffinum et incarceravit eum apud Duganum castrum Wallie.
Obiit Wilielmus Abbas Cestriœ.
Item Walter cognomine de Pincebech electus est in abbatem Cestrie benedictus apud London die Sancti Michaelis in monte Tumba.
Item Rex Henricus duxit exercitum apud Kenes parum ibi proficiens et multos ex suis am[isit] ubi etiam Willelmus de Breaus captus fuit a Lewelino.
Obiit Stephanus de Langeton archiepiscopus Cantuariensis. 		1228 The litigation which had been carried on between the churches of Coventry and Lichfield was terminated.
Also Llewelin [prince of Wales] took his son Griffin, and imprisoned him in the castle of Dyganwy in Wales.
William, abbot of Chester, died.
Also Walter, surnamed de Pincebeck, was elected as [10th] abbot of Chester. He received the benediction at London on the feast of S. Michael of the Mount in Normandy [October 6].
Also king Henry [III.] led an army to Kerry [near Montgomery], but made little progress, and lost many of his troops, and there William de Braose was taken prisoner by Llewelin.
Stephen Langton, archbishop of Canterbury, died.
mccxxix Philippus de Orreby Justiciarius Cestrie dimisit ballivam suam ad pascha cui successit Willelmus de Vernum.
Item electus est in archiepiscopum Cantuariensem magister Ricardus magnus Lincolniensis ecclesie cancellarius consecratus in die Sancte Trinitatis. (fn. 9) 		1229 Philip de Orreby, justiciary of Chester, resigned his office at Easter. William de Vernon succeeded him.
Also Master Richard [Weathershed, surnamed] Le Grand, chancellor of the Church of Lincoln, was elected archbishop of Canterbury. He was consecrated on Trinity Sunday [June 10].
mccxxx Circa festum Sancti Hylarii Henricus rex Anglie et omnis exercitus anglie convenerunt apud Portesmue ut transfretarent. Sed habito consilio remanserunt ad festum apostolorum Philippi et Jacobi transfretavit Henricus rex Anglie cum exercitu suo ad partes transmarinas.
Reddita est etiam Rannulpho Cestrie terra sua de Sancto Jacobo super Boverum.
Rex autem circa festum Sancti Michael reversus est in Angliam relicto ibi Rannulpho comite Cestrie et Willelmo Marescallo cum paucis.
Item Willelmus de Breaus inculpatus est a Lewelino principe Wallie de uxore sua, et suspenditur. Et mulier carcerata custodia diu. 		1230 About the feast of S. Hilary [January 13] Henry [III.], king of England, and the whole army of England, assembled at Portsmouth in order to cross the Channel. But, having taken counsel, they remained until the feast of S. Philip and S. James the Apostles, [May 1], when Henry, king of England, with his army, crossed to the parts beyond the seas [to S. Malo].
There was restored to Randle, earl of Chester, his territory of S. James de Beuvron.
But about Michaelmas the king returned into England, having left [in Brittany] Randle, earl of Chester, and William Marshal [earl of Pembroke], with a few [soldiers].
Also William de Braose was charged by Llewelin, prince of Wales, with adultery with his wife, and was hanged. And the woman was imprisoned for a long time.
mccxxxj Obiit Willelmus Marescallus.
Lewelinus princeps Wallye recepit uxorem suam filiam Johannis Regis quam antea incarceravit.
Orta est werra inter Henricum Regem filium Johannis et Lewelinum in partes Suth Wallye.
In qua werra dictus Henricus rex firmavit castellum payn ubi venit ad eum nobilis vir ille Rannulphus Comes Cestrie et Lyncolyn de sancto Jacobo de Boverum capta prius treuga trium annorum a Rege Gallie in transmarinis.
Orta est quedam discordia inter regem Anglie et ipsum Rannulphum Comitem Cestrie apud predictum castellum pain quare a rege discessit iratus. Et sic apud Cestriam venit in vigilia Octavarum assumpcionis mandatus autem a domino Rege per Stephanum de Sagreve venit ad eum.
Obiit Ricardus archiepiscopus Cantuarie in transmarinis. 		1231 William Marshal, earl of Pembroke, died.
Llewelin, prince of Wales took back his wife, the daughter of king John, whom he had formerly imprisoned.
War arose between king Henry [III.], son of John, and Llewelin in the parts of South Wales.
In the course of this war the said king Henry strengthened the castle of Pain, where there came to him that noble person Randle, earl of Chester and Lincoln from S. James de Beuvron, having before accepted a truce of three years from the king of France in the parts beyond seas.
A certain quarrel arose between the king of England and this same Randle, earl of Chester, at the afore- said castle of Pain, wherefore he departed from the king in a rage. And thus he came to Chester on the eve of the octave of the Assumption [August 21]. But by the command of our lord the king, [given] through Stephen de Segrave, he returned to the king.
Richard, archbishop of Canterbury, died beyond seas [at S. Gemma or Gemine, between Todi and Narni, in Italy].
mccxxxij Obiit Roger de monte alto Senescallus de Hawerthin.
Item Hubertus Burgo captus est.
Obiit etiam Rannulphus comes Cestrie et Lincoln vij kal. Novembris apud Walingford et sepultus est iijo non. ejusdem apud Cestrie.
Item undecimo kal. Decembris factus est Johannes de Scocia comes Cestrie apud Northampton a rege Henrico filio Johannis Regis. 		1232 Roger de Montalt, seneschal of Hawarden, died.
Also Hubert de Burgh was made prisoner.
Also Randle, earl of Chester and Lincoln, died, October 26, at Wallingford, and was buried, November 3, at Chester.
Also, November 21, John le Scot [nephew of earl Randle] was made earl of Chester at Northampton by king Henry III., son of king John.
mccxxxiij Obiit Matildis mater comitis Johannis circa epiphaniam domini.
Item Ricardus Phiton factus est justiciarius Cestrie. (fn. 10)
Item guerra inter regem Henricum et Ricardum Marescallum. 		1233 Matilda, mother of earl John [daughter of Hugh Cyveliok], died about the Epiphany of our Lord.
Also Richard Fitton was made justiciary of Chester.
Also there was war between king Henry and Richard Marshal [earl of Pembroke].
mccxxxiiij Magister Eadmundus consecratus est archiepiscopus dominica in medio quadragesime.
Item Griffinus filius Lewelini egressus est de carcere.
Item Ricardus Marescallus occisus in Hybernia.
Item magister Radulphus de Maedestan quondam archidiaconus Cestrie consecratus est episcopus Hierford unde prius decanus . . . pridie non. (fn. 11) Novembris apud Cantuariam. 		1234 Master Edmund [of Abingdon] was consecrated archbishop [of Canterbury] on Mid Lent Sunday [April 2].
Also Griffin, son of Llewelin, went out of prison.
Also Richard Marshal [earl of Pembroke] was slain in Ireland.
Also Master Ralph of Maidstone, formerly archdeacon of Chester, was consecrated at Canterbury on November 4 bishop of Hereford, where he was before dean.

Footnotes

  • 1. These spaces are left blank in the MS.
  • 2. In the margin is "Hugo," but Ranulphus is certainly correct; Randle Blundeville being earl of Chester from 1181 to his death in 1232. Earl Hugh (Cyveliock) died in 1181.
  • 3. Nearly a quarter of a column here follows blank in the MS., in which, no doubt, a continuation of this sentence was intended to be written.
  • 4. The word printed "wardas" is in the MS. "wayedas," but it is clear that "wardas" is the word intended. Higden, in his Polychronicon, lib. vii. cap. xxxiv. (vol. viii. p. 202), has "Magnates Angliæ concesserunt regi Henrico wardas heredum et terrarum suarum." The words of Matthew Paris referring to the same event are "reddiderunt singuli castella et municipia honores et custodias regi." See also Annales de Oseneia, 64.
  • 5. Matthew Paris (iii. 89) gives the vigil of the Assumption, i.e. August 14, as the date of the capture of the castle of Bedford.
  • 6. I have not elsewhere met with pedale used in this sense; but Ducange explains it as "Tributum quod penditur, idem quod Pedagium." Spelman in his Glossarium says, "Pedagia dicuntur quaæ dantur a transeuntibus in locum constitutum a principe. Et cupiens pedagium debet dare salvum conductum et territorium ejus tenere securum."-" Pedage, pedagium signifies money given for the passing by foot or horse through any country . . . . And we find Edward III. granted to Sir Nile Loring, Pedagium Sancti Macharii (Rot. pasc. 22 Ed. III.)." ( Cowell.)-According to Holinshed (iii. 202, Edit. of 1586) Randle Blundeville "after he was come from the Holie Land began to build the Castles of Chartelie and Beeston, and after he also builded the abbeie of Dieu l'encresse, towards the charges susteined about the building of which Castles and Abbeie he took toll throughout all his lordships of all such persons as passed by the same with any cattel, chaffre, or merchandize." In the margin Ranulph Higden is cited as the authority for this statement, and in the Polychronicon, lib. vii. chap. xxxiv. (vol. viii. p. 198) we read: "Et Ranulphus comes Cestrensis rediens de Terra Sancta ædificavit castra de Charteley de Beeston et abbatiam de Deulecress albi ordinis, ad quorum sumptus castrorum cepit tallagium per totam terram suam." But it appears that the MSS. of Magd. Coll., Oxford, and S. John's Coll., Cambridge, have pedale after tallagium.
  • 7. "Willielmus electus 1226 Dominicæ post festum S. Jacobi at prox. die Martis Benedictus ab Ep. Cest. in Ecclesiæ S. Jõis Cest" (Wharton).
  • 8. Disputes had existed certainly for more than twenty years before this time, between the canons of Lichfield and the monks of Coventry, as to their respective rights in the election of the bishop of the united see. On the death of Geoffry de Muschamp, in 1208, the monks of Coventry elected their prior Joybert, or Jorbert, or Josbert, while the canons of Lichfield, under the king's direction, elected Walter de Grey. Neither the one nor the other, however, was consecrated. Pandulph, the pope's legate, according to Wharton, made void both elections, and afterwards, in 1214, with the consent of the two chapters; William de Cornhill was chosen, Walter de Grey having been in that year consecrated bishop of Worcester. On the death of William de Cornhill the dispute again broke out, the monks elected their prior Galfredus, but the chapter of Lichfield refused to join in the election. The question was taken before the king, and then by appeal to the pope, by whom the election of Galfredus was set aside, and Alexander de Stavensby was appointed by a papal provision, and was consecrated by the pope himself, April 14, 1224. But the litigation between the monks of Coventry and the chapter of Lichfield still continued to be prosecuted in the Roman curia before pope Honorius and his successor. At length, in 1228, the final decision was given by Gregory IX., to the effect that the election should take place alternately in the churches of Coventry and Lichfield. But, although, as stated in the text, the cause was thus terminated in that year, the dispute was renewed in 1239, on the death of Alexander de Stavensby, and litigation was only prevented, by the prudent refusal of each of the persons elected to accept the dignity of bishop, upon which the two chapters agreed upon Hugh de Pateshull. See Thomas of Chesterfield apud Wharton, i. 437-8, and Ellis's Dugdale's Monasticon, iii. 152, and vi. 1239.
  • 9. This chronicle agrees with Matthew Paris as to the date of the consecration of archbishop Weathershed, but according to Le Neve, following the Close Rolls, 13 Hen. III. m. 5, he was consecrated in August 1229.
  • 10. Sir Richard Fitton, of Bolyn, knight, was justiciary of Chester, 1233-37, also seneschal of the earl of Richmond, in the time of Randle, earl of Chester. See Earwaker's East Cheshire, i. 50.
  • 11. "Pridie non." is clearly a mistake for "pridie idus," i.e., November 12, the day which Le Neve gives for the consecration. "Pridie non." i.e., November 4, fell on Saturday, not Sunday, in 1234. The Annales de Theokesburia, p. 94, state that Ralph of Maidstone was consecrated "in crastino Sancti Martini," but that day fell on a Monday in this year.
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