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: Cavendish
Maternal Family Tree: Anna Maria Mordaunt 1771
On 7th June 1774 [her father] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 26] and [her mother] Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 17] were married at St Mary's Church, Wimbledon. It was her 17th birthday. She by marriage Duchess Devonshire. She the daughter of [her grandfather] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 39] and [her grandmother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 37]. He the son of William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire and Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington. They were fourth cousins.
On 29th August 1785 Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville was born to [her father] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 37] and [her mother] Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 28] at Devonshire House [Map].
On 21st March 1801 [her brother-in-law] George Howard 6th Earl Carlisle [aged 27] and [her sister] Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [her father] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 53] and [her mother] Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 43]. He the son of Frederick Howard 5th Earl Carlisle [aged 52] and [her future sister-in-law] Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower Countess Carlisle. They were fourth cousins.
On 30th March 1806 Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 48] died at Devonshire House [Map]. She was buried at Derby Cathedral [Map]. Her husband William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 58], her mother Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 68], her sister Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough [aged 44] and her eight months pregnant daughter Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle [aged 22] were present, as was Elizabeth Christiana Hervey Duchess Devonshire [aged 48], her husband's mistress and future wife.
Around 1809 Thomas Barber [aged 38]. Portrait of Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 23].
In 1809 [her father] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 61] and [her step-mother] Elizabeth Christiana Hervey Duchess Devonshire [aged 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 [her grandfather] William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire and [her grandmother] Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington. They were sixth cousins.
On 24th December 1809 Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 36] and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 24] were married. She the daughter of William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 61] and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire. He the son of Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Marquess Stafford and Susanna Stewart Marchioness Stafford. They were half fourth cousin once removed.
In 1810 [her daughter] Susan Georgiana Leveson-Gower Baroness Rivers was born to [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 36] and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 24]. She married 2nd February 1833 George Pitt-Rivers 4th Baron Rivers, son of Horace Beckford aka Pitt-Rivers 3rd Baron Rivers and Frances Rigby, and had issue.
On 29th July 1811 [her father] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 63] died. His son [her brother] William [aged 21] succeeded 6th Duke Devonshire, 9th Earl Devonshire, 9th Baron Cavendish Hardwick, 8th Baron Clifford.
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.
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On 11th May 1815 [her son] Granville Leveson-Gower 2nd Earl Granville was born to [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 41] and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 29]. He married (1) 1840 Marie Louise Pelline de Dalberg Lady Acton (2) 26th September 1865 his half third cousin twice removed Sophia Castila Rosamund Campbell Countess Granville and had issue.
On 12th August 1815 [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 41] was created 1st Viscount Granville. Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 29] by marriage Viscountess Granville.
On 3rd May 1819 [her son] Edward Frederick Leveson-Gower was born to [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 45] and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 33]. He married 1st June 1851 his half fifth cousin once removed Margaret Compton, daughter of Spencer Compton 2nd Marquess Northampton and Margaret Douglas-Maclean-Clephane Marchioness Northampton, and had issue.
On 27th January 1824 [her sister-in-law] Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower Countess Carlisle died.
On 21st October 1824 George Godolphin Osborne 8th Duke Leeds [aged 22] and [her illegitimate step-daughter] Harriet Emma Arundel Stewart [aged 24] were married at the British Embassy, Paris. She the illegitmate daughter of [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 51] and [her aunt] Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough. They were fourth cousins.
On 4th September 1825 Frederick Howard 5th Earl Carlisle [aged 77] died. His son [her brother-in-law] George [aged 51] succeeded 6th Earl Carlisle. [her sister] Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle [aged 42] by marriage Countess Carlisle.
On 2nd February 1833 [her son-in-law] George Pitt-Rivers 4th Baron Rivers [aged 22] and Susan Georgiana Leveson-Gower Baroness Rivers [aged 23] were married at British Embassy, Paris. She by marriage Baroness Rivers of Stratfield Saye in Hampshire. She the daughter of Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 59] and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 47].
On 10th May 1833 [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 59] was created 1st Earl Granville. Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 47] by marriage Countess Granville.
On 19th July 1833 [her brother-in-law] George Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Duke Sutherland [aged 75] died. His son George [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Duke Sutherland, 3rd Marquess Stafford, 20th Earl Sutherland, 4th Earl Gower, 5th Baron Gower, 9th Baronet Gower of Stittenham in Yorkshire. [her niece] Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Howard Duchess Sutherland [aged 27] by marriage Duchess Sutherland.
On 26th May 1838 [her sister-in-law] Susanna Leveson-Gower Countess Harrowby Lincolnshire [aged 65] died.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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In 1840 Granville Leveson-Gower 2nd Earl Granville [aged 24] and Marie Louise Pelline de Dalberg Lady Acton [aged 27] were married. He the son of Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 66] and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 54].
On 8th January 1846 [her husband] Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville [aged 72] died. His son Granville [aged 30] succeeded 2nd Earl Granville, 2nd Viscount Granville. Marie Louise Pelline de Dalberg Lady Acton [aged 33] by marriage Countess Granville.
On 1st June 1851 Edward Frederick Leveson-Gower [aged 32] and Margaret Compton [aged 21] were married at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. She the daughter of Spencer Compton 2nd Marquess Northampton and Margaret Douglas-Maclean-Clephane Marchioness Northampton. He the son of Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 65]. They were half fifth cousin once removed.
On 18th January 1858 [her brother] William Cavendish 6th Duke Devonshire [aged 67] died at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried in the Cavendish Plot, St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map]. His first cousin once removed William [aged 49] succeeded 7th Duke Devonshire, 10th Earl Devonshire, 10th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. Baron Clifford abeyant.
On 8th August 1858 [her sister] Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle [aged 75] died.
On 25th November 1862 Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville [aged 77] died.
Letters of Harriet, Countess Granville. Letters Of Harriet Countess Granville 1810 — 1845 Edited By Her Son The Hon. [her son] F. Leveson Gower [aged 74] In Two Volumes. With Portrait Third Edition. 1894.
[her daughter] Georgiana Leveson-Gower was born to Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Granville and Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville. She married Alexander Fullerton.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 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 24 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 23 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 29 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cecil Countess Devonshire 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cavendish 2nd Duke Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Butler Duchess Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cavendish 3rd Duke Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Russell 1st Duke Bedford 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Russell 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Carr Countess of Bedford 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Rachel Russell Duchess Devonshire 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Rachel Wriothesley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Rachel Massue Countess Southampton
GrandFather: William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Hoskins
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Hoskins of Oxted
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Hoskins Duchess Devonshire
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hale
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Hale
Father: William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Boyle 2nd Earl Cork 1st Earl Burlington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Boyle 3rd Baron Clifford 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Clifford Countess Burlington 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Boyle 2nd Earl Burlington 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Seymour 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Boyle 3rd Earl Burlington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Noel
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Juliana Noel Countess Burlington
GrandMother: Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Savile 3rd Baronet 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Coventry Baroness Savile 
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Savile 2nd Marquess Halifax 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Dorothy Savile Countess Burlington 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Heneage Finch 1st Earl Nottingham 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Daniel Finch 2nd Earl Nottingham 7th Earl Winchilsea 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harvey Baroness Finch
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Finch Duchess Roxburghe 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Rich 3rd Earl Warwick 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Essex Rich Countess Nottingham 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Cheeke Countess Warwick 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Harriet Cavendish Countess Granville 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Digby Countess Sunderland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Russell Countess Bristol 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Spencer 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Winston Churchill 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drake 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Jennings
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Thornhurst
GrandFather: John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Carteret 
13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Carteret 1st Baron Carteret 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jemima Montagu 
11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Carteret 2nd Earl Granville 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Granville 1st Earl Bath
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Granville Baroness Gower
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Wyche
Great x 1 Grandmother: Georgiana Caroline Carteret 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Worsley 3rd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Worsley 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Herbert Countess Gainsborough 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Worsley Countess Granville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Thynne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Finch Viscountess Weymouth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Mother: Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Poyntz 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Newdigate Poyntz 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Poyntz 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Stephen Poyntz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
GrandMother: Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Earl Peterborough 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Viscount Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess Peterborough 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Lewis Mordaunt 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Carey Viscountess Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Smith
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anna Maria Mordaunt 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England