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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: Spencer
Maternal Family Tree: Anna Maria Mordaunt 1771
On 20th December 1755 [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 21) and [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 18) were married at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map]. He the son of [her grandfather] John Spencer and [her grandmother] Georgiana Caroline Carteret (age 39).
On 7th June 1757 Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire was born to [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 22) and [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 20) at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map].
On 3rd April 1761 [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 26) was created 1st Viscount Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer Althorp. [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 23) by marriage Viscountess Spencer, 1st Baroness Spencer Althorp.
On 2nd October 1764 William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire (age 44) died. His son [her future husband] William (age 16) succeeded 5th Duke Devonshire, 8th Earl Devonshire, 8th Baron Cavendish Hardwick.
On 1st November 1765 [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 30) was created 1st Earl Spencer, 1st Viscount Althorp. [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 28) by marriage Countess Spencer, 1st Viscountess Althorp.
Around 1774 Angelica Kauffmann (age 32). Portrait of siblings Georgiana (age 16), [her sister] Henriette (age 12) and [her brother] George (age 15) Spencer.
On 7th June 1774 William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 26) and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 17) were married in St Mary's Church, Wimbledon. It was her 17th birthday. She by marriage Duchess Devonshire. She the daughter of John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 39) and Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 37). He the son of William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire and Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington. They were fourth cousins.
Around 1775 Joshua Reynolds (age 51). Portrait of Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 17).
In 1775 Daniel Gardner (age 25). "The Three Witches from Macbeth". From the National Portrait Gallery: "This unusual group portrait depicts three of the most politically influential and socially notorious women of the period. They are, from left to right, the society ladies and political hostesses Elizabeth Lamb (age 23), Viscountess Melbourne, Georgiana (age 17), Duchess of Devonshire and the sculptor Anne Seymour Damer (age 26). All three women were intimate friends sharing a common passion for Whig politics and the arts."
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Around 1780. John Downman (age 30). Portrait of Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 22).
On 27th November 1780 [her brother-in-law] Frederick Ponsonby 3rd Earl Bessborough (age 22) and [her sister] Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Bessborough. She the daughter of [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 45) and [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 43). He the son of William Ponsonby 2nd Earl Bessborough (age 76) and Caroline Cavendish Countess Bessborough. They were fifth cousins.
On 6th March 1781 [her brother] George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer (age 22) and [her sister-in-law] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer (age 19) were married. She the daughter of Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan (age 45) and Margaret Smith Countess Lucan (age 41). He the son of [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 46) and [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 43).
On 27th February 1782 [her brother-in-law] George Augustus Henry Cavendish 1st Earl Burlington (age 27) and Elizabeth Compton Countess Burlington (age 21) were married at London. She by marriage Countess Burlington. She the daughter of Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton and Anne Somerset Countess Northampton. He the son of William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire and Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington. They were fourth cousins.
In 1783 Thomas Gainsborough (age 55). Portrait of Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 25).
On 12th July 1783 [her daughter] Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle was born to [her husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 35) and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 26). She married 21st March 1801 her fourth cousin George Howard 6th Earl Carlisle, son of Frederick Howard 5th Earl Carlisle and Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower Countess Carlisle, and had issue.
On 31st October 1783 [her father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 48) died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Brington, Northamptonshire. His son [her brother] George (age 25) succeeded 2nd Earl Spencer, 2nd Viscount Althorp, 2nd Viscount Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer Althorp. [her sister-in-law] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer (age 21) by marriage Countess Spencer.
On 29th August 1785 [her daughter] Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville was born to [her husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 37) and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 28) at Devonshire House [Map]. She married 24th December 1809 her half fourth cousin once removed Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville, son of Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Marquess Stafford and Susanna Stewart Marchioness Stafford, and had issue.
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.
Around 1786 Thomas Gainsborough (age 58). Portrait of Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 28).
On 21st May 1790 [her son] William Cavendish 6th Duke Devonshire was born to [her husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 42) and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 32) at Paris [Map].
On 20th February 1792 [her illegitimate daughter] Eliza Courtenay was born illegitimately to Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey (age 27) and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 34) at Aix en Provence whilst she, Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire was married to [her husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 44). The Duchess was forced to relinquish the child shortly after her birth, to be raised by Charles Grey's parents, Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey (age 62) and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey (age 48). The surname Courtenay was derived from her great-uncle, her maternal grandmother's brother, [her uncle] William Poyntz (age 57). She married 10th December 1814 Robert Charles Ellice and had issue.
On 3rd June 1794 [her sister-in-law] Dorothy Cavendish 3rd Duchess Portland (age 43) died. She was buried at St Marylebone Church.
In 1799 [her brother] George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer (age 40) was appointed 621st Knight of the Garter by King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 60).
On 21st March 1801 [her son-in-law] George Howard 6th Earl Carlisle (age 27) and [her daughter] Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle (age 17) were married. She the daughter of [her husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 53) and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 43). He the son of Frederick Howard 5th Earl Carlisle (age 52) and Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower Countess Carlisle. They were fourth cousins.
On 30th March 1806 Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire (age 48) died at Devonshire House [Map]. She was buried at Derby Cathedral [Map]. Her husband [her husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 58), her mother [her mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 68), her sister [her sister] Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough (age 44) and her eight months pregnant daughter [her daughter] Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle (age 22) were present, as was Elizabeth Christiana Hervey Duchess Devonshire (age 48), her husband's mistress and future wife.
In 1809 [her former husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 61) and Elizabeth Christiana Hervey Duchess Devonshire (age 51) were married. She by marriage Duchess Devonshire. She the daughter of Frederick Augustus Hervey 4th Earl Bristol and Elizabeth Davers Countess Bristol. He the son of William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire and Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington. They were sixth cousins.
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.
On 29th July 1811 [her former husband] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 63) died. His son [her son] William (age 21) succeeded 6th Duke Devonshire, 9th Earl Devonshire, 9th Baron Cavendish Hardwick, 8th Baron Clifford.
On 12th October 1817 [her granddaughter] Georgiana Ellice was born to [her son-in-law] Robert Charles Ellice (age 32) and [her illegitimate daughter] Eliza Courtenay (age 25). Named after her maternal grandmother Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire. She married 4th November 1846 Hugh Horatio Seymour-Conway.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Digby 1st Earl Bristol 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Walcott
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Digby Countess Sunderland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford 
10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Russell Countess Bristol 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: John Spencer 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Winston Churchill 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Drake
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drake 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Helen Boteler 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Jennings
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Jennings
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gifford Thornhurst 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Thornhurst
Great x 4 Grandmother: Susanna Temple 
Father: John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Carteret 1st Baronet 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Carteret 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Carteret 1st Baron Carteret 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jemima Montagu 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jemima Crew Countess Sandwich 
12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Carteret 2nd Earl Granville 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bevil Grenville
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Granville 1st Earl Bath
Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Smith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Granville Baroness Gower
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Wyche
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Wyche
GrandMother: Georgiana Caroline Carteret 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Worsley 2nd Baronet 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Worsley 3rd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Worsley 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Herbert 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Herbert Countess Gainsborough 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Worsley Countess Granville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Thynne 1st Baronet 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Coventry Lady Thynne Kempsford 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Thynne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Winchilsea 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Finch Viscountess Weymouth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Seymour Countess Winchelsea 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Poyntz 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Poyntz 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Newdigate Poyntz 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Poyntz 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
GrandFather: Stephen Poyntz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Mother: Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Mordaunt 4th Baron Mordaunt 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Earl Peterborough 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Compton Baroness Mordaunt 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Viscount Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Howard 3rd Baron Howard of Effingham 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess Peterborough 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne St John Lady Effingham 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Lewis Mordaunt 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Carey 1st Earl Monmouth 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trevannion Countess Monmouth
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Carey Viscountess Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Smith
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Smith
GrandMother: Anna Maria Mordaunt 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England