Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.

In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.

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Biography of Archbishop Alexander Neville 1341-1392

Paternal Family Tree: Fitzmaldred aka Neville

Maternal Family Tree: Clemence Roches Countess Blois

1386 Wonderful Parliament

1388 Merciless Parliament

Before 14th July 1323 Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke [aged 23] and [his mother] Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Baroness Greystoke.

On 14th January 1326 [his father] Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 35] and [his mother] Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Baroness Neville Raby. They were sixth cousins. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

Around 1341 Archbishop Alexander Neville was born to [his father] Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 50] and [his mother] Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville [aged 37]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 3rd February 1343 William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 58] died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son William [aged 13] succeeded 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. [his sister] Margaret Neville [aged 13] by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.

Before 18th October 1353 [his half-brother] William Greystoke 2nd Baron Greystoke [aged 32] and [his sister-in-law] Joan Fitzhenry Baroness Greystoke [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Baroness Greystoke.

In 1358 [his brother-in-law] Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland [aged 16] and [his sister] Margaret Neville [aged 28] were married. They were third cousin twice removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 10th July 1359 [his half-brother] William Greystoke 2nd Baron Greystoke [aged 38] died at Brancepeth Castle, County Durham [Map]. His son [his nephew] Ralph [aged 5] succeeded 3rd Baron Greystoke.

Before 1361 [his brother-in-law] William Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 41] and [his sister] Catherine Neville Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 30] were married. She by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland.

On 1st September 1361 [his sister] Catherine Neville Baroness Dacre of Gilsland [aged 31] died.

Before 1362 [his brother] John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 24] and [his sister-in-law] Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby were married. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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On 5th August 1367 [his father] Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 76] died. His son [his brother] John [aged 30] succeeded 3rd Baron Neville Raby. [his sister-in-law] Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby by marriage Baroness Neville Raby.

On 18th May 1368 Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy [aged 47] died at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He was buried at Alnwick Abbey, Northumberland [Map]. His son [his brother-in-law] Henry [aged 26] succeeded 4th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 12th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. [his sister] Margaret Neville [aged 39] by marriage Baroness Percy of Alnwick.

Around 1371 Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 30] was appointed Archdeacon of Durham.

On 12th May 1372 [his sister] Margaret Neville [aged 43] died.

In 1373 Nicholas Harrington of Hornby [aged 27] was excommunicated by Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 32] probably for the murder of Ralph Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 52].

In November 1373 Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 32] was elected Archbishop of York.

On 11th January 1374 [his mother] Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville [aged 70] died at Greystoke, Cumberland. She was buried at Durham Cathedral [Map].

On 14th April 1374 Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 33] was appointed Archbishop of York.

On 18th December 1374 Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 33] was consecrated as Archbishop of York at York Minster [Map].

Before 9th October 1381 [his brother] John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 44] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Latimer 5th Baroness Latimer, Baroness Neville and Willoughby [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Baroness Neville Raby. The difference in their ages was 20 years. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

Wonderful Parliament

Chronicle of Adam of Usk [~1352-1430]. September 1386. Owing to the many ill-starred crises of king Richard's [aged 19] reign, which were caused by his youth, a solemn parliament was holden at Westminster, wherein twelve of the chief men of the land were advanced, by full provision of parliament, to the government of the king and the kingdom, in order to bridle the wantonness and extravagance of his servants and flatterers, and, in short, to reform the business of the realm; but alas! only to lead to the weary deeds which are hereinafter written1.

Note 1. The actual number of the commissioners appointed by the Wonderful Parliament of 1386 was eleven, or fourteen if the three principal officers of state be included. The eleven were: the archbishops of Canterbury [aged 44] and York [aged 45], the dukes of York [aged 45] and Gloucester [aged 31], the bishops of Winchester [aged 66] and Exeter, the abbot of Waltham, the earl of Arundel, John de Cobham, Richard le Scrope, and John Devereux. Thomas Arundel [aged 33], bishop of Ely, had replaced Michael de la Pole [aged 25], earl of Suffolk, as chancellor; John Gilbert, bishop of Hereford, was treasurer; and John de Waltham, keeper of the privy seal. It will be remembered that John of Gaunt [aged 46] was at this time in Spain, as a reason for his name not appearing on the commission.

Patent Rolls. 11th October 1387. Inspeximus and confirmation to John de Beauchamp of Holt [aged 68] of a writing of even date, of Robert de Veer [aged 25], duke of Ireland, granting, with the king's consent and licence, to the said John, for life, a yearly rent of £100 from the manors of Bovytracy and Holdesworthy, co. Devon, and Blakedon and Ludeford, co. Somerset, and all other his lands in the last named county. Witnessed by Alexander [aged 46], archbishop of York, Michael de la Pole [aged 57], Earl of Suffolk, Nicholas Slake, Richard Clifford, and Richard Felde. And further grant that in case the said Robert die in the lifetìme of the said John, the latter shall receive the said yearly rent for the term of his life, and if the said manors and lands are recovered out of the king's hand, he shall receive it at the Exchequer. By p.s.

Merciless Parliament

On 3rd February 1388 the Merciless Parliament commenced. It ended on 4th June 1388. Its primary function was to prosecute members of the Court of King Richard II of England [aged 21]. The term "Merciless" is contemporary having been coined by the chronicler Henry Knighton.

Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 58] was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered in his absence. He had escaped to France.

Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 47] was found guilty of treason and it was determined to imprison him for life in Rochester Castle, Kent [Map]. He fled to Louvain [Map] where he became a parish priest for the remainder of his life.

On 19th February 1388 Robert Tresilian was hanged naked and his throat cut. See Chronicle of Adam of Usk.

On 25th March 1388 Nicholas Brembre was hanged. He was buried at Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map].

On 5th May 1388 Simon Burley [aged 48] was executed despite the protestations of his friend Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York [aged 46]. See Chronicle of Adam of Usk.

On 12th May 1388 John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp [aged 69] was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at Worcester Cathedral [Map]. Baron Beauchamp of Kidderminster forfeit.

Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland [aged 26] was attainted.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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On 30th April 1388 Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 47] was translated to Bishop of St Andrews. He never took possession of the see because the Scots acknowledged the Avignon papacy with their own candidate, Bishop Walter Trail.

On 17th October 1388 [his brother] John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 51] died. His son [his nephew] Ralph [aged 24] succeeded 4th Baron Neville Raby. Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby [aged 24] by marriage Baroness Neville Raby.

In May 1392 Archbishop Alexander Neville [aged 51] died at Louvain [Map]. He was buried at Church of the Carmelites, Louvain.

Archbishop Alexander Neville 1341-1392 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of Archbishop Alexander Neville 1341-1392

Kings Wessex: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 6 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 12 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 7 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 16 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 14 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Archbishop Alexander Neville 1341-1392

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Fitzmaldred

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey Fitzrobert aka Neville

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Neville of Raby

Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Neville

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Monmouth

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Monmouth

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecilia Waleran

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Neville

GrandFather: Ralph Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby

Father: Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Fitzroger 2nd Baron Warkworth

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Fitzrobert 3rd Baron Warkworth

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Chesney Baroness Warkworth

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Fitzjohn 4th Baron Warkworth

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ada Balliol Baroness Warkworth

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Fitzroger 5th Baron Warkworth

GrandMother: Euphemia Clavering Baroness Neville Raby 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alain Zouche

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Zouche

Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelicia Belmeis

Great x 2 Grandfather: Alan Zouche

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Bisset

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Zouche Baroness Warkworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Saer Quincy 1st Earl Winchester

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger de Quincy 2nd Earl Winchester

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beaumont Countess Winchester

Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen or Ela Quincy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alan Lord of Galloway

Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Galloway Countess Winchester 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Dunkeld 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Archbishop Alexander Neville 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Liulf Audley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Adam Audley

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mabella Stanley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Audley

Great x 3 Grandmother: Emma Fitzorm

Great x 1 Grandfather: James Audley

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Mainwaring

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bertrade Mainwaring

GrandFather: Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Longespée Earl Salisbury Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Longespée Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury

Great x 1 Grandmother: Ela Longespée Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Gerard Canville

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Camville

Great x 4 Grandmother: Nichola de la Haie

Great x 2 Grandmother: Idoine Camville

Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Basset

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eustachia Basset

Great x 4 Grandmother: Egelina Courtenay

Mother: Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Mortimer

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Ferrers

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 1st Baron Mortimer of Wigmore Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gwladus verch Llewelyn "Dark Eyed" Aberffraw Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Plantagenet Daughter of King John of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William de Braose 9th Baron Abergavenny 7th Baron Bramber

Great x 4 Grandmother: Graecia Briwere

Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud de Braose

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eva Marshal

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke

GrandMother: Iseult Mortimer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fiennes

Great x 3 Grandfather: Enguerrand Ingleram Fiennes

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dammartin

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Fiennes

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Provence

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Brienne I King Jerusalem

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Beaumont 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beregaria Ivrea Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanche Beaumont 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jeanne Chateaudun

Great x 4 Grandmother: Clemence Roches Countess Blois