Although the title indicates that the Chronicle begins in 1089, it actually begins in 1189 with the reign of Richard I, and ends in 1483 with the death of Edward IV. It is based on two manuscripts, now in the British Library, written by anonymous scribes in the 15th Century. It recounts events not only in the City of London—such as the elections of Mayors and Sheriffs—but also in the British Isles and France, covering battles, coronations, births and deaths of prominent people, tempests, earthquakes, plagues, and other noteworthy occurrences.
hn loste all Normandye and Angoye be werre; and he toke of every plowe lond in Engelond iiis. toward hise werres.
TEMPORE REG' JOH'IS. [1200-1203.]
[Custodes.]--Roger Desert. Anno s'c'do. Jacob' Fitz Barthi.
[Sidenote: Parlement at Londoun.]
[Sidenote: S'cus Hugo de Lincoln isto anno monebat'.]
This yere the kyng held his parlement at Londone, and asked of the clergye the stynte of every chirche in Engelond for to conquere ayen Normandye and Angoye. And in this yere deyde Huberd erchebisshop of Caunterbury; and thanne the priour and the covent of Caunterbury chosen in there chapytre hous the noble clerk Stephen of Langeton, ayens the kynges will, whome the pope sacred at Viterke. And this yere deide seynt Hughe of Lincoln; also the erchebysshopp of Caunterbury; and the priour of Cricherche, and all the monkes weren exiled.
[Custodes.]--William Fitz Alice. Anno tercio. Simon de Aldermanb'y.
This same yere, be the avyse of wyse men of the citee of London
