Hi Glen;
This is just an incredible find, eh?
Your post really fired up my imagiination so I went looking for
some information on what was going on in England around 1396 ...
I'm amazed ... Irish rebellions, the first abdication from the English throne, truces with France to end the 100 years war, lots of political back-stabbings, etc. It seems Richard II was more interested in arts, jewellery, rich-textiles and, (low and behold), metal-work.
I'm finding it a little difficult to come up with what was going on in Astronomy at that time ... perhaps others might be able to fill in some of the details ?
John Harrison is one of my historical heroes ! Such tenacity !
Thanks for a very interesting post !
Cheers