Time Line 1066 - 1836

1066 (JANUARY TO OCTOBER) HAROLD IS KING

 

Harold defeats Tostig at Stamford Bridge.  William the Norman lands at Pevensey and Harold is defeated and slain at Senlac.

 

1066-1154

ANGLO-NORMAN KINGS AND FEUDALISM

 

1066-1087 THE REIGN OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR

 

 

1070

Archbishop Stigand is deposed and Lanfranc made Primate.  Lanfranc proceeds to remodel the Church and in particular founds Spiritual Courts in which alone Ecclesiastical cases are tried.

 

 

1083

Queen Matilda dies.  A fresh revolt breaks out in Maine.  A danegold of 72 pennies on each hide of land is levied to assist in the collection of which a general survey of the country is ordered.  The result is the compilation called ‘Domesday Book’ (1085-1086).

 

1086

The Salisbury Decree makes every freeman the king’s as well as his immediate lord’s ‘man.’

Domesday Survey completed.          

 

1087

War breaks out with France and William is fatally injured at the destruction of Mantes.

 

1087-1100 THE REIGN OF WILLIAM ‘RUFUS’

 

 

1087

William 2 , ‘Rufus’ is elected king by the Witan or Great Council by the aid of Lanfranc.

 

1096

Robert, Duke of Normandy pledges Normandy to William 2 for 10, 000 marks and then sets out for the Holy Land on the first Crusade.  William invades Wales and builds castles on the borders to keep the Welsh in order.  The Barons under Mowbray, De Lacy and Bigod revolt for the second time but are ruthlessly crushed.  William takes possession of all Normandy.  (The first acquisition of Normandy.)

 

1100

William is slain in the New Forest.

 

1100-1135 THE REIGN OF HENRY 1

 

 

1111, 1114, 1121

 

The English make steady progress in the conquest of Wales.

 

1120

Pipe Rolls (Sheriffs Accounts to Exchequer).

 

1128

In the absence of a male heir, Henry forces the Great Council to swear allegiance to the Empress Matilda, widow of Henry of Germany, as his heir.  Matilda is then married to Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou.

 

1135-1154 THE REIGN OF STEPHEN

 

 

1139

After conquering Normandy, Matilda, with Robert of Gloucester, lands in England and civil war breaks out which lasts 8 years.

 

1153

By the peace of Wallingford it is arranged that Stephen shall retain the crown for life and Henry, son of Matilda, shall succeed.

 

1154-1217 THE REIGN OF HENRY 2

 

 

1160

A scutage of forty shillings is imposed on all knights’ fees in lieu of personal service.

 

1166

The Assize of Clarendon extends the grand jury system to criminal cases.  Dermot, King of Leinster, receives permission from Henry to seek allies among the nobles on the Welsh Marches.

 

1169

Richard ‘Strongbow’ and others settle in Ireland.

 

1176

By the Assize of Northampton the ‘Justices in Eyre’ are sent on circuit. 

 

1178

Five judges are appointed to sit as a Court of Appeal at Westminster: from them originate the Courts of King’s Bench and Common Pleas.

 

1189-1199 THE REIGN OF RICHARD 1

 

 

1195 

The ‘Justices of the Peace’ take their origin.

 

1198

The Barons in the Great Council and the bishops under Hugh of Lincoln refuse to furnish knights for the foreign service.  Hubert Walter resigns his justiciarship at the bidding of Pope Innocent 3 but before he does so carries out a new survey of the country and a permanent land tax called ‘Carucage’ is imposed.

 

1199-1937

 

Chancery Rolls begin recording royal grants of land etc.

 

1199-1216 THE REIGN OF JOHN

 

 

1204/5-1903

 

Close Rolls – Crown grants – e.g. enclosure award, deeds poll, enrolled deeds.

 

1215

Magna Carta is signed by the king but the Pope annuls it.  Civil war begins and John profiting by a split in the Baronage ravages Yorkshire.

 

1216

At his coronation Henry renews his fealty to the Pope.  William, the Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, is named regent and guardian of the King.

 

1217

Louis of France is defeated at the ‘Fair of Lincoln.’  The Justiciar, Hubert de Burgh, destroys the French fleet off Sandwich.  The Great Charter is issued for the first time in its final form.

 

1219

On the death of Pembroke, Hubert de Burgh becomes the principal figure in the country and represents English interests in opposition to the foreign influences of Peter des Roches.

 

1227

Henry is declared of age.

 

1233

The Earl of Pembroke, de Burgh and the Barons rise in revolt.

 

1235

 

Morgan ap howell  cedes Caerleon to Earl Pembroke.

 

1258

The ‘Mad’ Parliament meets at Oxford.  The executive is taken from the King.  This scheme is known as the ‘Provisions of Oxford.’

 

1262

Ashperton Castle, Herefordshire granted to Prince Edward, later part of Duchy of Lancaster.

 

1264 

The Barons under Simon de Montfort defeat the royal forces at Lewes.  The ‘Mise of Lewes’ appoints a new body of arbitrators to control the King.

 

1265

In the Parliament summoned by Simon cities and boroughs are represented as well as shires.  Simon’s party is defeated by the royal forces at the battles of Kenilworth and Evesham and Earl Simon is slain.

 

1269

Monmouth lordship to Edmund Earl of Lancaster the

Second surviving son of Henry 3  Duchy lands in Gwent are large including the Three Castles of White Castle, Grosmont and Skenfrith.

1272-1307 THE REIGN OF EDWARD 1

 

 

1277

Edward determines to subdue the Welsh and their prince Llewellyn is forced to submit.

 

1278

By the Statute of Gloucester the nobles are required to show ‘quo warranto’ – by what warrant – they hold their lands and privileges.  Compulsory knighthood is forced on all freeholders of an estate worth 20 pounds a year.

 

1282

Llewellyn and his brother David revolt.  Llewellyn is slain in battle.

 

1283

David is executed and Edward finally subjugates Wales.

 

1284

Edward of Carnarvon, the first ‘Prince of Wales’, is born.

 

1286

Edward is absent in France for three years.  On the death of Alexander 3 of Scotland a dispute arises about the succession.

 

1291                   

Edward claims the guardianship of Scotland and confirms Baliol’s claim.  Baliol does homage for Scotland in 1292.

 

1295

The ‘Model Parliament’ is summoned – at which barons, prelates, knights and burghers are fully represented.

Johanes ap Reynulf ap Adam holds 1 knights fee in Usk

At Llanbadoc, Arthybile and Brendyhirock

1296

Edward crushes the Scots at Dunbar and Baliol surrenders his crown.

 

1297

Wallace defeats the English at the battle of Stirling.

 

1298

Edward defeats Wallace at Falkirk with a loss of 15,000 men.  John ap Adam Baron of Beachley is present.

 

1301

John ap Adam seals the Barons letter to the Pope in support of Edward’s claim to Scotland.

 

1307-1327 THE REIGN OF EDWARD 2

 

 

1314 

Roused by the success of Bruce (1311-1314) Edward marches into Scotland but is defeated disastrously at Bannockburn.  Scotland is virtually independent.  This defeat leaves Edward powerless before the Barons, who, under Lancaster, assume the direction of affairs.

 

1316

Lancaster becomes President of the Council.  Pestilence, murrain and famine rage in the country.

 

1322 

Edward defeats Lancaster at Boroughbridge and executes him.

 

1327-1377 THE REIGN OF EDWARD 3

 

 

1348  

The Black Death carries off one third of the population.

 

1362

The English language is appointed to be used in Law Courts.  Edward agrees to lay no tax on wool without the consent of Parliament and gives up the right of purveyance.

 

1375

William ap Adam holds land in Hereford City

 

1377-1399 THE REIGN OF RICHARD 2 

 

Chronicle of Adam of Usk for period 1377 - 1421

 

1379

The Commons impose a graduated poll-tax.

 

1385

Richard creates his uncles Edmund and Thomas dukes of York and Gloucester and sends John of Gaunt to Spain to prosecute his claims upon the crown of Castille.

 

1399-1485 HOUSES OF LANCASTER AND YORK

 

 

1399-1413 THE REIGN OF HENRY 4

 

Adam of Usk resigns Shirenewton in an exchange with 

Thomas ap Adam – ap William ap Weloc

1402

Owen Glendower inflicts a serious defeat on the English. 

 

1406-7

 

Parliament demands the public audit of Government accounts.  The principle that the Commons are the source of all money grants is established.

 

1413-1422 THE REIGN OF HENRY 5

 

 

1415

Henry defeats the French at Agincourt.

 

1422-1461 THE REIGN OF HENRY 6

 

 

1422

The Duke of Bedford is made Regent in France and Humphrey of Gloucester Protector in England.

 

1429

Adam Usk dies, mentions his kinsman Edward ap Adam in his will

1447

Gloucester is arrested at Suffolk’s instigation.  His death is soon followed by that of his opponent Beaufort.

 

1455

The Wars of the Roses.  Civil war breaks out and the King’s friends are defeated by the Duke of York at the first battle of St. Albans.

 

1461

Edward defeats the Lancastrians at Mortimer’s Cross.  Henry 6 is deposed and Edward elected king.  Margaret  wins the second battle of St. Albans and recovers possession of the King.

 

1463

Thomas ap Adams is incumbent at Bredenbury near Bromyard, Herefordshire.

 

1461-1483 THE REIGN OF EDWARD 4

 

 

1463

Wales alone holds out for Henry 6.

 

1468

William Herbert Earl. 1st Welshman made an Earl.  1469 he is beheaded.

 

1483 (April – June)

 

Edward 5 is king though never crowned.  Lord Hastings, the chief friend of Edward 4, is arrested and executed, and Richard of Gloucester is declared protector.  Richard claims the crown and is formally elected.

 

1483-1485 THE REIGN OF RICHARD 3

 

 

1483

The two sons of Edward 4 are murdered in the Tower.  Bishop Morton’s scheme for marrying Henry Tudor to Elizabeth, daughter of Edward 4, is favoured by Buckingham.  Buckingham revolts in Wales and is put to death.

 

1484

Henry Tudor, in Brittany, swears to carry out Morton’s scheme.

 

1485-1509 THE REIGN OF HENRY 7    TUDOR DYNASTY BEGINS

 

 

1485

Parliament confers the crown on Henry and his lawful heirs.

 

1486

Henry marries Elizabeth, daughter of Edward 4, and thus unites the two houses of Lancaster and York.

 

1487

The Court of Star Chamber is established, the scope of which is constantly extended till by an act of 1504 it covers almost every crime.

 

1499-1504

 

The Tudor dynasty being now safe, Henry rules without a parliament.

 

1501

Prince Arthur is married to Catherine of Aragon.

 

1502

Death of Arthur.  Catherine is contracted to Arthur’s younger brother, Henry.

 

1509-1547 THE REIGN OF HENRY 8

 

 

1509-1798

 

Feet of Fines Calendars.

Wolsey appointed Dean of Hereford

Walter Badham (ap Adam, etc) is Groom of the Chamber to the King and gains the tolls of Knighton in the Marches

 

1513

 

Henry lands at Calais and defeats the French at Guinegatte (the Battle of the Spurs, where Walter Badham is probably present) and takes Terouenne and Tournai.  James 4 and the invading Scots are defeated at Flodden with a loss of 10,000 men and James 4 is slain.

 

1515

Wolsey (by this time Archbishop of York), whose policy is peace and the preservation of the balance of power, is made a Cardinal and Henry’s Chancellor.

 

1519

Walter Badham to be Ranger in the Forest of Dean.

 

1520

Henry 8 and Francis 1 of France meet at the field of the cloth of gold.  Walter Badham is present.

 

1530

Henry consults the Universities of Europe as to the legality of his marriage with Catherine.  Wolsey is pardoned and restored to his archbisopric.  The arrest and death of Wolsey.

 

1533

Henry secretly marries Anne Boleyn.

 

1534

The Act of Supremacy declares the king ‘the only supreme head on earth of the Church of England.’

 

1535

Richard Badam to Parish of Dormington.

 

1536

The smaller monasteries are dissolved.  Anne Boleyn is executed.

and 1542, Acts of Union with Wales, Formation of Shires and Hundreds.  Gavelkind starts to disappear.

 

 

1537

The birth of Edward 6 and death of Jane Seymour.  The greater monasteries are attacked and the Friars in 1538.

 

1538

Thomas Cromwell’s  “sure coffer” Mandate, to keep parish records safe.

 

1540

Henry marries Anne of Cleves.  Henry marries Catherine Howard.

 

1543

It is made a capital crime to disagree with Henry’s theological opinions.  Henry marries Catherine Parr.

 

1547-1553 THE REIGN OF EDWARD 6

 

 

1547

Seymour, now Duke of Somerset, is made Protector.

 

1549

Cranmer publishes the Catechism and Book of Common Prayer, the use of which is enforced by an Act of Uniformity.

 

1552

Churchwardens are empowered to exact collections in their parishes for the support of the poor.

 

1553-1558 THE REIGN OF MARY

 

 

1558-1603 THE REIGN OF ELIZABETH

 

 

1560

John Badham appointed to Dormington parish, at Bridstow by1578

 

1562

The Statute of Labourers, the First English Poor Law, is passed.

 

1563

The Test  Act  is passed, strengthening the Act of Supremacy of 1559 and compelling assent to the thirty nine Articles.

 

1588

The Great Armada sets sail against Elizabeth but the English Catholics remain loyal.  The Armada is defeated and shattered by storms.

 

1598

Order instituting Parish Register books.  Bishops’ Transcripts begin.

 

1603-1625 THE REIGN OF JAMES 1

 

 

1604

James summons the Hampton Court Conference, the only result of which was the version of the Bible issued in 1611.  James’s first parliament refuses to pass the canons issued by the conference; later on they present an address called The ‘Apology’ of the Commons, defining their position in relation to the king.  Peace is made with Spain on favourable terms.

 

1604-1605

 

Gunpowder Plot is formed by Catholic malcontents to blow up the King, Lords and Commons.  The Catholics are in consequence persecuted.

 

1606

Colonies are founded in Virginia by royal charter.

 

1620

The ‘Pilgrim Fathers’ sail in the ‘Mayflower.’  Frederick is driven from his Palatinate.

 

1623

Catholics are allowed by James to worship in private houses.

 

1625-1649 THE REIGN OF CHARLES 1

 

 

1641

The Triennial Bill is passed.  Strafford is impeached but the Commons, fearing an acquittal from the Lords, substitute attainder.  Strafford is abandoned by the king and executed.  A revolt breaks out in Ireland.  The Grand Remonstrance is carried and presented to Charles.  The Commons resolve to impeach the queen.

 

1642

The royal standard is raised at Nottingham.

 

1642-1649 THE GREAT CIVIL WAR

 

 

1644/5

 

Ordinance requiring birth dates as well as parents’ names on registers.

 

1648

A second civil war is caused by a reaction in the king’s favour.  The Presbyterian party are for the time supreme in parliament.  Hamilton, who as a result of the ‘engagement’, had marched from Scotland to aid the king, is defeated at Preston.  The army turns on the parliament and presents a Grand Army Remonstrance.

 

1649

Charles is tried and executed.

 

1649-1660 THE COMMONWEALTH

 

 

1649

The House of Lords and the monarchy are abolished.

 

1653