| | | 1225 | Events occurring at some time during this year Salisbury Choir Work on the Choir at Salisbury Cathedral started in 1225 and lasted until 1237. 1See AlsoBeeston Castle begun returning from a spell crusading, Ranulf, the fifth Earl of Cheshire starts the construction of the castle at Beeston. See Also |
The construction of Beeston Castle was started in 1225 by Earl Ranulf, the sixth Earl of Cheshire, on the 500ft summit of the outcrop of rock. The location was originally the site of a settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. The climb to the top of the castle is not for the faint hearted, but the view from the top is well worth the effort. | |
| | 1226 | Events occurring at some time during this year Louis IX becomes King of France At twelve years old, upon the death of his father, Louis IX became king of France. 2See AlsoLady Chapel at Hereford From around 1226 until 1246, construction of the Lady Chapel at Hereford cathedral was undertaken. See AlsoGrace Dieu Abbey founded This was a daughter house of the Cistercian abbey at Dore near Hereford. The foundation would have been earlier but the abbey was attacked and burnt by the Welsh in 1223. The abbey was situated near Monmouth, but no real remains can be seen. See AlsoYork Minster South Transept Building work on the South Transept of York Minster until 1241. 1See Also |
The Norman invasion brought some stability and in 1080 under Bishop Losinga, rebuilding work began on the Cathedral which had been in ruins since the Welsh attack. There is a chair here supposed to be the chair used by King Stephen at his royal proclamation, in 1138. | |
| | 1227 | Events occurring at some time during this year Balmerino Abbey founded The Scottish Cistercian abbey built by monks from Melrose abbey. The abbey is situated on the shores of the Firth of Tay. 3 | |
| | 1228 | Events occurring at some time during this year Henry III visits Woodstock. Henry spent time at the Palace of Woodstock. 4See AlsoStephen Langton dies On the death of Stephen Langton, the archbishop of Canterbury, the Pope, attempting to raise as much money from the clergy in England filled senior posts in the clergy with anyone who bidded the highest. 5See AlsoThe Sixth Crusade (1228-9) The Sixth Crusade was won with diplomacy by Frederick II, who had married the heiress of Jerusalem in 1225. He went to the East to claim his right to the throne, and taking advantage of internal disputes between the Sultan's family members, concluded the Treaty of Jaffa, which gave Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth back to the Christians. 6See Also | |
| | 1230 | Events occurring at some time during this year Rievaulx Abbey rebuilding work Rebuilding work commenced at Rievaulx Abbey. See AlsoWells Cathedral West Front Work commenced on the West Front of Wells Cathedral. 1See AlsoWells Cathedral West Front Started Building of the West Front of Wells Cathedral was begun. See Also | |
| | 1231 | Events occurring at some time during this year Tattershall Castle construction Construction of the castle at Tattershall. See Also
Hubert de Burgh had become a powerful Lord in the Welsh Marshes, controlling castles such as Cardigan and Carmarthen. He began to threaten the local Welsh leaders.
See AlsoAug 13 - Simon de Montfort takes possession of his land
Henry III ordered the sheriffs of Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire to give Simon de Montfort the possession of the lands of his father, the Earl of Leicester.5
See Also | |
| | 1232 | Events occurring at some time during this year Lacock Abbey founded Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire was founded by Ela, Countess of Salisbury, the widow of William Longspee, the son of Henry II. 7See AlsoOaks given to Gloucester Henry III donated one hundred and ten oaks from the forest of Dean to help in repair work at Gloucester church. See AlsoPeter des Rievaulx becomes treasurer Peter des Rievaulx, the nephew of the Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, is made treasurer of the Henry III's household and keeper of the king's wardrobe. This moved him into an extremely important position for controlling the king's affairs. 5See AlsoHenry III removes Hubert de Burgh Henry III was persuaded to remove Hubert de Burgh. Hubert escaped from prison and took refuge in a church at Devizes. After being dragged from the church Hubert was re-imprisoned. The bishop of Salisbury forced the Government to return Hubert to the church where his supporters rescued him. See Also | |
| | 1233 | Events occurring at some time during this year Earl of Pembroke's revolt Richard, Earl of Pembroke in alliance with Llewelyn of Wales join forces to fight Henry III. (Details required). 8See Also
With the introduction of Peter de Roches as justiciar and the removal of Hubert de Burgh, the control of the Exchequer was under Poitevin control and possibly reversed the gains created by the Magna Carta in 1215. Henry was given control of central administration. This angered the Barons and a group led by Richard Marshall, Earl of Pembroke opposed the changes. Henry was able to deal with the Barons.8
See AlsoNov - Rout of Henry's army
Henry III's army was camped at Grosmont Castle when they were attacked in the night by a force of Welsh and English rebels. Several of Henry's supporters were captured and the castle was returned to Hubert de Burgh, one of the rebels.9
See Also | |
| | 1235 | Events occurring at some time during this year Henry III at Woodstock Henry spent time at the Palace of Woodstock. 4See Also | |
| | 1236 | Events occurring at some time during this year The Pope condemns links to the Assassins Pope Gregory IX condemned the links that both the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller had with the Assassin fighters in the Middle East. He issued a Bull (a formal proclamation issued by the pope) preventing further contact with the Assassins. 10See AlsoCanterbury Cloister building work Canterbury Cloister building work. 1See Also
Henry married Eleanor, one of four daughters of Raymond count of Provence. Eleanor was 14 years old. Simon de Montfort, as Lord High Steward, took care of the banquet and kitchen arrangements.5
See Also | |
| | 1237 | Events occurring at some time during this year Lincoln tower collapses During a sermon by one of the canons of the cathedral, the newly finished central tower collapsed burying some of the congregation. See AlsoTransepts and Nave of Salisbury Cathedral Constrution of the major transept and nave of Salisbury Cathedral started in 1237 and lasted until 1258. Salisbury Cathedral has a smaller choir transept. 1See AlsoBeeston Castle claimed by Henry With the death of the last male heir of the Earldom of Cheshire, the earldom and castle at Beeston are claimed by Henry III. The castle was too important not to be in the hands of the crown. See Also | |
| | 1238 | Jan - Simon marries Henry's sister
Simon de Montfort married Henry III's sister, Eleanor secretly. She had been married to William, Earl of Pembroke (son of William Marshal?), but he died early and left her with his wealth. The Barons were not happy with this arrangement as they were not consulted.5
See Also | |
| | 1239 | Events occurring at some time during this year Wells Cathedral dedication of church The church at Wells was dedicated in this year, but did not get its status as a Cathedral until 1244. See AlsoTheobald of Champagne's Crusade The Crusade of Theobald of Champagne and the King of Navarre was a French expedition that did little, except obtain concessions from Damascus in Galilee, and Ascalon from Egypt. Richard of Cornwall, the brother of Henry III, arrived after Theobald had left, but managed to strengthen both concessions in Galilee, and the fortifications at Ascalon. 6
Edward was the first son born to Henry III and Eleanor of Provence and was born at the Palace of Westminster. Simon de Montfort was chosen as his godfather by Henry III.5
See Also | |
| | 1240 | Events occurring at some time during this year Chapter-house as Lichfield The Chapter-house at Lichfield has two storeys, the lower one for the meetings and the upper one for the library. The building is roughly octagonal in shape, but two sides are double the length of the others. See AlsoBuilding work at St. Paul's complete The central tower and the choir had been rebuilt during the first part of the thirteenth century and by 1240, building work was completed. Some changes were made at the end of this century, but then no major alterations occurred until after the Reformation. See AlsoNorth Transept of Rochester Cathedral Work on the north transept between 1240 and 1255. 1See Also | |
| | 1241 | Events occurring at some time during this year Henry entertains at Woodstock Henry spent time at Woodstock and entertained Alexander. King of the Scots and the English nobility. 4See Also
The alarm had been raised and the citizens of the Polish city of Krakow had all but abandoned their homes when the Mongol army arrived. The city was put to the torch by the Mongols.11
| |
| | 1242 | Events occurring at some time during this year York Minster North Transept Building work on the North Transept of York Minster until 1255. 1See AlsoChapel of the Nine Altars The Chapel of the Nine Altars in built on the east end of Durham Cathedral between 1242 and 1280. 1See AlsoHenry tries to retake Poitou Isabella, Henry's mother persuaded Henry to mount an expedition to retake Poitou. Unable to get money directly from the barons, Henry resorted to extort money from them individually instead (how?). The expedition failed, and after being rescued the Earls of Leicester, Salisbury and Norfolk, Henry retreated to Bordeaux where they spent the winter. 5See AlsoHenry's financies are criticised Simon de Montfort is one a twelve man council who met to work out Henry's financies. Henry was criticised for his excesses. 5See Also
During a violent storm at sea, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, vowed to build a Religious house if he survived. He did survive and as a result Hailes Abbey was built.
See Also |
| |
| | 1243 | Spring - Simon de Montfort gets custody of Kenilworth castle
Henry III bestowed the custody of Kenilworth castle to Simon de Montfort. Simon's wife Eleanor (Henry's sister) already owned Odiham Castle so Simon had two of the strongest fortresses in England under his control.5
See Also | |
| | 1244 | Events occurring at some time during this year Bishop of Bath and Wells The Pope decreed that Wells should be reinstated as a Cathedral and the Bishop became the Bishop of Bath and Wells. See Also
With the fall of Jerusalem and the crushing defeat of the Christian armies at Gaza, Louis IX took the cross and prepared for a Crusade. (It took him four years to set sail).12
See Also | |
| | 1245 | Events occurring at some time during this year Bigods take Chepstow Castle When Maud, the last of the Marshal line, died in 1245 Chepstow Castle was passed to her son Roger Bigod II, Earl of Norfolk. 9See AlsoCarlisle Cathedral building work Work on the choir, aisles and arcading began and construction lasted until 1292 when a fire badly damaged the Cathedral. 1See AlsoRebuilding of Westminster Abbey Henry started the work of rebuilding Westminster Abbey as a tribute to Edward the Confessor. 13See AlsoCarpini, the Christian envoy, travels to the Mongol Empire Carpini, a Christian envoy travelled to the seat of the Mongol Emperor at Karakoram and another, Roubrouck followed in 1253. 14See Also |
Chepstow Castle is situated on the mouth of the river Wye and is the gate-house to the Vale of Wye. Built by William or his son Roger Fitz Osbern on a high cliff overlooking the river the castle was well situated to control movements and as a base for further exploration of Wales. | |
| | 1246 | Events occurring at some time during this year Peter de Savoy granted Pevensey Castle Henry III granted Pevensey castle to the Queen's uncle, Peter de Savoy, Earl of Richmond. See AlsoHailes Abbey begun Twenty monks and ten lay brothers (monks who performed manual tasks) arrived at Hailes to start work on the new Abbey. See Also | |
| | 1247 | Events occurring at some time during this year Henry receives a relic Henry received a relic from the patriarch of Jerusalem consisting of a portion of the blood of Christ in a crystal vase. Henry walked with the vase in his hands clothed in a course robe from the treasury in St. Paul's to the church of Westminster where mass was said. He was assisted by attendants on both sides in case he slipped and dropped the vase. See Also | |
| | 1248 | Events occurring at some time during this year Bath Lady Chapel Construction of the Lady Chapel between 1248 to 1264. 1The Seventh Crusade (1248-54) After the Christians were defeated at Gaza in 1244, Louis IX of France (St. Louis) took the cross. He actually managed to set sail for Cyprus, his base some four years later. Landing at Damietta in June 1249, Louis, he to wait until the Nile floods had reduced before continuing for Cairo. Held up and cut off from Damietta, Louis' camp was struck with disease and most were killed or captured. Louis was taken prisoner, and had to pay a ransom to be freed. 6See Also | |
| | 1249 | Jul 8 - Alexander II of Scotland dies
See AlsoJul 9 - Alexander III became King of the Scots
Alexander was crowned at Scone.
See Also |
|
Selection of references used:
1. John Harvey,English Cathedrals,1961
2. Duc de Castries,The lives of the Kings and Queens of France,
3. Various,The Cistercian Abbeys of Britain,1998
4. Timbs & Gunn,Abbeys, Castles & Ancient Halls of England & Wales,
5. Elizabeth Luckock and Caroline Gundy,Simon de Montfort,1969
6. T. Wise & G.A. Embleton,Armies of the Crusades,
7. John Timbs & Alexander Gunn,Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England & Wales (North),1872
8. M.T.Clanchy,England and its Rulers,
9. John Kinross,Discovering Castles in England and Wales,
10. T. Wise,The Wars of the Crusades,
11. Robert Marshall,Storm from the East,1993
12. BBC Publication,Background to the Crusades,
13. John Chancellor,The Life and Times of Edward I,1981
14. Mike Rosen,The Travels of Marco Polo,
|
