Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Text this colour are links that disabled for Guests.
Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page.
Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.

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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

Biography of Colonel John Strode 1627-1686

Paternal Family Tree: Strode

On 28th December 1627 Colonel John Strode was born to [his father] George Strode of Squerryes Court Westerham Kent (age 42).

In 1663 Colonel John Strode (age 35) was appointed Lieutenant Dover Castle.

In 1663 [his father] George Strode of Squerryes Court Westerham Kent (age 78) died.

John Evelyn's Diary. 6th January 1665. To Dover, Kent [Map], where Colonel Stroode (age 37), Lieutenant of the Castle, having received the letter I brought him from the Duke of Albemarle (age 56), made me lodge in it, and I was splendidly treated, assisting me from place to place. Here I settled my first Deputy. The Mayor and officers of the Customs were very civil to me.

John Evelyn's Diary. 29th May 1665. I went with my little boy to my district in Kent, to make up accounts with my officers. Visited the Governor of at Dover Castle (age 37), where were some of my prisoners.

On 27th October 1665 Colonel John Strode (age 37) was elected MP Sandwich.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 4th June 1666. Up, and with Sir J. Minnes (age 67) and Sir W. Pen (age 45) to White Hall in the latter's coach, where, when we come, we find the Duke (age 32) at St. James's, whither he is lately gone to lodge. So walking through the Parke we saw hundreds of people listening at the Gravel-pits, [Kensington] and to and again in the Parke to hear the guns, and I saw a letter, dated last night, from Strowd (age 38), Governor of Dover Castle, which says that the Prince (age 46) come thither the night before with his fleete, but that for the guns which we writ that we heard, it is only a mistake for thunder1 and so far as to yesterday it is a miraculous thing that we all Friday, and Saturday and yesterday, did hear every where most plainly the guns go off, and yet at Deale [Map] and Dover, Kent [Map] to last night they did not hear one word of a fight, nor think they heard one gun. This, added to what I have set down before the other day about the Katharine, makes room for a great dispute in philosophy, how we should hear it and they not, the same wind that brought it to us being the same that should bring it to them: but so it is. Major Halsey, however (he was sent down on purpose to hear newes), did bring newes this morning that he did see the Prince and his fleete at nine of the clock yesterday morning, four or five leagues to sea behind the Goodwin [Map], so that by the hearing of the guns this morning we conclude he is come to the fleete.

Note 1. Evelyn (age 45) was in his garden when he heard the guns, and be at once set off to Rochester, Kent [Map] and the coast, but he found that nothing had been heard at Deal (see his "Diary", June 1st, 1666).

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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 26th November 1668 Colonel John Strode (age 40) and Rebecca Crispe were married.

In or before 1679. John Hayls (age 78). Portrait of Colonel John Strode (age 51).

In 1685 Colonel John Strode (age 57) was elected MP Sandwich.

Before 30th March 1686 Colonel John Strode (age 58) died. He was buried in Westminster Abbey [Map] on 30th March 1686.

Royal Ancestors of Colonel John Strode 1627-1686

Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Colonel John Strode 1627-1686

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Strode 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Strode 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Strode 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Strode 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: William Strode 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Father: George Strode of Squerryes Court Westerham Kent 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Colonel John Strode 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England