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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Paternal Family Tree: Cholmondeley
In 1747 [his father] George Cholmondeley [aged 22] and [his mother] Hester Edwardes [aged 19] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] George Cholmondeley 3rd Earl Cholmondeley [aged 43] and [his grandmother] Mary Walpole.
On 11th May 1749 George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley was born to [his father] George Cholmondeley [aged 24] and [his mother] Hester Edwardes [aged 21].
On 15th March 1764 [his father] George Cholmondeley [aged 39] died.
On 10th June 1770 [his grandfather] George Cholmondeley 3rd Earl Cholmondeley [aged 67] died. His grandson George [aged 21] succeeded 4th Earl Cholmondeley in Cheshire, 5th Viscount Cholmondeley of Kells in County Meath, 4th Viscount Malpas in Cheshire, 4th Baron Cholmondeley Nampwich in Cheshire, 3rd Baron Newburgh of Newburgh in Anglesey, 3rd Baron Newborough of Newborough in County Wexford.
In 1776 Grace Dalrymple [aged 22] became the mistress of George Cholmondeley [aged 26] for around three years.
Diary of Caroline Girlie. Here Mrs. Elliott [aged 22] remained until she was brought over to England by Lord Cholmondeley [aged 26] . She was subsequently introduced to the Prince of Wales [aged 13], who had been struck with the exquisite beauty of her portrait, which he had accidentally seen at Houghton. So celebrated was she for her personal charms that there are several portraits of her by eminent painters still in existence, among others, one by Cosway, which embellishes this volume, another, by Gainsborough, at Lord Cholmondeley's.
On 30th March 1782 Georgiana Augusta Frederica Seymour was born to King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 19] and Grace Elliott. Alternatively she may have been the daughter of George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 32]; both men claimed paternity. Paternity was also claimed by Charles William Wyndham [aged 21] among others. She married 21st September 1808 Charles Cavendish-Bentinck, son of William Cavendish-Bentinck 3rd Duke Portland and Dorothy Cavendish 3rd Duchess Portland.
Before 4th February 1787 Pompeo Batoni [aged 79]. Portrait of George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 37].
Around 1790 [his illegitimate daughter] Harriet Cholmondeley was born illegitimately to George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 40] and Unamed Saint Albin.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 25th April 1791 George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 41] and Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 29] were married. She by marriage Countess Cholmondeley in Cheshire. She the daughter of Peregrine Bertie 3rd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven and Mary Panton Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven.
On 16th January 1792 [his son] George Cholmondeley 2nd Marquess Cholmondeley was born to George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 42] and [his wife] Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 30]. He married (1) 20th October 1812 Caroline Anne Julie Campbell (2) 11th May 1830 his fifth cousin once removed Susan Carolina Somerset Marchioness Cholmondeley, daughter of Henry Charles Somerset 6th Duke Beaufort and Charlotte Sophia Leveson-Gower Duchess Beaufort.
On 3rd September 1794 [his mother] Hester Edwardes [aged 66] died.
On 16th February 1795 [his daughter] Charlotte Georgiana Cholmondeley was born to George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 45] and [his wife] Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 33]. She married 18th May 1818 her half third cousin Hugh Henry Seymour-Conway and had issue.
On 31st March 1800 [his son] William Cholmondeley 3rd Marquess Cholmondeley was born to George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 50] and [his wife] Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 38]. He married 28th February 1825 Marcia Emma Georgiana Arbuthnot Marchioness Cholmondeley and had issue.
On 1st January 1812 [his son-in-law] John "Radical Jack" Lambton 1st Earl Durham [aged 19] and [his illegitimate daughter] Harriet Cholmondeley [aged 22] were married at Gretna Green. She the illegitmate daughter of George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 62] and Unamed Saint Albin.
On 20th October 1812 George Cholmondeley 2nd Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 20] and Caroline Anne Julie Campbell were married at Gibraltar. He the son of George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 63] and Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 51].
On 11th July 1815 [his illegitimate daughter] Harriet Cholmondeley [aged 25] died.
The London Gazette 17066. Whitehall, September 30, 1815.
His Royal, Highness the Prince Regent has been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the Dignities of Earl and Marquess of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the Right Honourable George James Earl of Cholmondeley [aged 66], and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, stiles, and titles of Earl of Rocksavage, in the county palatine of Chester, and Marquess Cholmondeley. [Note. [his wife] Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 54] by marriage Marchioness Cholmondeley.]
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has also been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable James Walter [aged 40], Viscount Grimston, of that part of the United Kingdom called Ireland, and Baron Verulam of Gorhambury, in the county of Hertford, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, stiles, and titles of Viscount Grimston and Earl Verulam.
His Royal Highness has also been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignities of Baron and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable Charles Viscount Whitworth [aged 63], Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, His Majesty's Lieutenant-General and General Governor of Ireland, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, stiles, and titles of Baron Adbaston, in the county of Stafford, and Earl Whitworth.
His Royal Highness has also been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable John Lord Brownlow [aged 36], and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, stiles, and titles of Viscount Alford, of Alford in the county of Lincoln, and Earl Brownlow.
His Royal Highness has also been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignity of Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable John Craggs Lord Eliot [aged 54], and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, stile, and title of Earl of Saint Germains, in the county of Cornwall.
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent has also been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable John Lord Boringdon [aged 43], and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, stiles, and titles of Viscount Boringdon, of North Malton, in the County of Devon, and Earl Morley, of Morley in the said county.
His Royal Highness bas also been pleased, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable Orlando Baron Bradford [aged 53], and the heirs mile of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, stiles, and titles of Viscount Newport, in the county of Salop, and Earl of Bradford, in the said, county. [Note. Lucy Elizabeth Byng Countess Bradford [aged 48] by marriage Countess Bradford.]
His Royal Highness has also been pleased, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, to grant the dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable William Baron Beauchamp [aged 68], of Powyke, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, stiles, and titles of Viscount Elmley, in the county of Worcester, and Earl of Beauchamp. [Catherine Denn Countess Beauchamp by marriage Countess Beauchamp.]
His Royal Highness has also been pleased, in the name and on behalf of His Majesty to grant the dignity of a Viscount of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable Alan Hyde Lord Gardner [aged 45], Vice-Admiral of the White Squadron of his Majesty's fleet, by the name, stile, and title of Viscount Gardner. [Note. He died before the patent had passed the Great Seal so the patent was null and void.]
On 18th May 1818 [his son-in-law] Hugh Henry Seymour-Conway [aged 27] and Charlotte Georgiana Cholmondeley [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 69] and Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 56]. They were half third cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1822 George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 72] was appointed 656th Knight of the Garter by King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 59].
On 28th February 1825 William Cholmondeley 3rd Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 24] and Marcia Emma Georgiana Arbuthnot Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 21] were married at Cholmondeley House. He the son of George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 75] and Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 63].
On 10th April 1827 George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley [aged 77] died. His son George [aged 35] succeeded 2nd Marquess Cholmondeley, 5th Earl Cholmondeley in Cheshire, 2nd Earl Rocksavage of Cheshire, 6th Viscount Cholmondeley of Kells in County Meath, 5th Viscount Malpas in Cheshire, 5th Baron Cholmondeley Nampwich in Cheshire, 4th Baron Newburgh of Newburgh in Anglesey, 4th Baron Newborough of Newborough in County Wexford.
On 23rd June 1838 [his former wife] Georgina Charlotte Bertie Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 76] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 29 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 27 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh "The Younger" Cholmondeley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Cholmondeley
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Holford
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Cholmondeley 1st Viscount Cholmondeley
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Bodville
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Cholmondeley 2nd Earl Cholmondeley
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Cradock
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cradock Viscountess Cholmondley
GrandFather: George Cholmondeley 3rd Earl Cholmondeley 16 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Adrian Heer van Ruytenburgh
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elisabeth van Ruytenburgh Baroness Newborough and Newburgh 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Prince Maurice I of Orange 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Louis Nassau Beverweert 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaretha van Mechelen
Great x 2 Grandmother: Wilhemina Anna van Nassau 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: George Cholmondeley 17 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Walpole 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Walpole of Houghton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Susan Barkham 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Colonel Robert Walpole
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Crane 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Susan Crane
Great x 4 Grandmother: Susan Alinton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford
GrandMother: Mary Walpole
George Cholmondeley 1st Marquess Cholmondeley 18 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Edwardes 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Edwardes 2nd Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Edwardes 3rd Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Warburton 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Warburton
GrandFather: Francis Edwardes 4th Baronet
Mother: Hester Edwardes
GrandMother: Hester Lacon Lady Edwardes