William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On 6th May 1929 Bishop John Bernard Taylor was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland [Map]. As a young boy he moved with his family to Watford. He attended Watford Boys' Grammar School after which he went up to Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map] where he took a First in Classics and, having secured the Lady Kay Scholarship to Jesus College, proceded to take a First in Theology.
In 1952 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 22] joined the RAF and won the Sword of Honour as the top officer cadet, and when his National Service ended he was awarded a research fellowship at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
In August 1956 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 27] and Linda Courtenay Barnes [aged 26] were married. They were married for more than sixty years.
In 1964 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 34] was appointed Vice-Principal of Oak Hill Theological College which office he held until 1972.
From 1966 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 36] published a number of books: A Christian's Guide to the Old Testament (1966); Evangelism among Children and Young People (1967); Tyndale Commentary on Ezekiel (1969) and Preaching through the Prophets (1983).
In 1972 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 42] was appointed Vicar of All Saints, Woodford Wells.
In 1975 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 45] was appointed Archdeacon of West Ham which office he held until 1980.
On 1st May 1980 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 50] was consecrated Bishop of St Albans. He was enthroned at St Albans Cathedral [Map] on 14th June 1980.
In 1988 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 58] was appointed Lord High Almoner which office he held until 1997.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In August 1995 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 66] retired and lived for many years in Cambridge.
In 1997 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 67] was appointed Knight Commander of the Victorian Order.
On 1st June 2016 Bishop John Bernard Taylor [aged 87] died at the Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted. he was buried at St Albans Cathedral [Map].
In 2022 [his former wife] Linda Courtenay Barnes [aged 92] died.