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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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Paternal Family Tree: Whitley
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Barratt 1571-1644
Elizabeth Whitley was born to [her father] Colonel Roger Whitley of Peel in Cheshire and [her mother] Charlotte Gerard.
In 1662 [her mother] Charlotte Gerard died.
Before 7th August 1681 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet (age 25) and Elizabeth Whitley were married. They were fourth cousins.
On 7th August 1681 [her son] Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet was born to [her husband] John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet (age 25) and Elizabeth Whitley. He married before 20th September 1726 Martha Lloyd.
On 28th June 1689 [her father-in-law] Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet (age 66) died. His son [her husband] John (age 33) succeeded 2nd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 21st February 1690. Friday, one Potter of Chester dined with us; parted about 3. daughter Mainwaring went that morning towards Peover.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th February 1690. Wednesday, my [her brother] sonne (age 39) & Morgan went towards Aston: (about 11) after dinner Huxley & Gardiner came to speake with my sonne about money; I gave them a bottle of beere & left them; about 5 Mr Lleeke came; then Mainwaring my daughter & Swetnam with them from Peover.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th May 1690. Thursday, Jackson & his wife went home; I went with Bidolph & Minshall about 3 to Tarvyn; there was Crew, Lee, Gleg, Aldersey, &c. about the militia; we parted about 5: 9. Friday, Scranmore & G.Mainwaring (age 47) came to dine with us (daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire, & Charlotte & sisters to Mrs Williams funerall at Chester) Jackson, yong Henthorne, G.Mainwaring's cosen,&c. dined with us; Salisbury came with a periwig to Bidolph they all went about 6; Henthorne about 4; Minshall & Morgan stayd all night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th May 1690. Monday, Bostock & his men & Foster came to work; Mr Traverse came to see us & Savage to daughter Mainwaring; they dined with us, Bidolph Angell & Morgan daughters & sister Anne went (about 3) to Utkington; retorned about 7; Angell about 5; Traverse supt with us;.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 19th July 1690. Satorday, after dinner daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire & Peover & I & my [her brother] sonne (age 39) to Chester, alighted at Wrights, went to the Angells; thence I went to Booth's; there was Fernaugh & 2 others, they stayd not; I discoursed him about sister Whitley's suites; proposed a reference; left him presently; discoursed awhile with Anderson in the streete; went to the Sunne, there met Viccars, Jones, Parry, Murray, & Deane; Murray's brother came to us & the barber to trimme me; I left them past 6; went to Jackson's; there came to me Crosse, Gray, Farington, Bradshaw; then the Governor & Bell; they drank a glasse of wine & left us presently; after, I & sonne took coach (about 8) went home.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 21st July 1690. Monday, Alderman Mainwaring's man brought me 2 Irish letters from my [her brother] sonne (age 39); Crosse & Cotton came about sealing Cotton's lease for his house without the Norgate; dined with us; went past 2: daughters & sisters went to Utkinton, Cheshire, retorned at 8; G. Taylor came from Peover with a letter & venison from daughter Mainwaring.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th October 1690. Sonday, I went to church in the morning with [her brother] sonne (age 39) & daughter Mainwaring; Mrs Huson came to see us in the evening; retorned past 5.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 2nd November 1690. Sonday, I went to church in the morning with daughter Mainwaring; [her brother] sonne (age 39) came after us; Morgan & Huson came in the evening; Fletcher & Jordan dined here.
On 17th July 1697 [her father] Colonel Roger Whitley of Peel in Cheshire (age 79) died. He was buried at the Church of St Deiniol, Hawarden, Flintshire. His inscription read Near this place lieth interred the body of Colonel Roger Whitley late of Peel in the County of Chester eldest son of Thomas Whitley, Esq. of Aston in this Parish by Elizabeth Brereton his second wife He married Charlotte sister of the Right Honourable Charles Gerard, Earl of Macclesfield and had by her issue three sons and six daughters viz. Gerard, Thomas, Roger, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Henrietta Maria, Penelope, Jane and Anne He died July 17th, 1697 This monument was erected to his memory by his grand-daughters [her son] Charlotte Mainwaring and [her son] Elizabeth Mainwaring daughters of Sir John Mainwaring of Peover in the County of Chester, Bart. and Elizabeth Whitley 1722.
On 4th November 1702 [her husband] John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet (age 46) died. His son [her son] Thomas (age 21) succeeded 3rd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
On 4th November 1719 Elizabeth Whitley died.
Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet: On 8th May 1656 he was born to Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet and Mary Delves. Before 7th August 1681 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley were married. They were fourth cousins. On 28th June 1689 Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet: On 7th August 1681 he was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley. Before 20th September 1726 Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet and Martha Lloyd were married. On 20th September 1726 Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet died. His nephew Henry succeeded 4th Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
[her son] Charlotte Mainwaring was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
[her son] Elizabeth Mainwaring was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley.
[her son] Henry Mainwaring was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley. He married 26th July 1725 Diana Blackett and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Thomas Whitley of Aston in Flintshire
Father: Colonel Roger Whitley of Peel in Cheshire
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Brereton of Halgton in Flintshire
GrandMother: Elizabeth Brereton
Elizabeth Whitley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gerard
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Gerard of Astley
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gilbert Gerard
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Holcroft
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ratcliff Gerard
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Radclyffe
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Ratclyffe
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Ratclyffe
GrandFather: Charles Gerard
Mother: Charlotte Gerard 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Fitton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Fitton 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Harbottle 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Fitton 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Warburton of Arley
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Warburton 14 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Winnington 13 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Fitton 1st Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Holcroft
GrandMother: Penelope Fitton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Barratt
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Barratt