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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Biography of John Blount of Sodington 1345-1425

Paternal Family Tree: Blount

After 1345 John Blount of Sodington was born to [his father] (age 47) and [his mother] Isolde Mountjoy at Sodington, Worcestershire.

In 1358 [his father] (age 60) died at Mamble, Cleobury Mortimer.

Around 1375 [his son] William Blount was born to John Blount of Sodington (age 29) and [his future wife] Juliana Foulhurst.

In 1377 [his son] John Blount was born to John Blount of Sodington (age 31) and [his future wife] Juliana Foulhurst at Elvaston, Derbyshire [Map]. He married (1) 26th October 1408 Alice Bere and had issue (2) after 26th October 1408 Eleanor Unknown.

                    Shropshire Archaeological Society. 1382. [his father-in-law] Brianus de Cornewall de Kinlet (age 67) miles salutem in domine.
                
                    Whereas John Blount of Sodington (age 36) is holden to me in a certain writing obligatory of Statute merchant in 200 Marks . . yet the said Bryan wills that if Blount be assiduous according to his power to obtain from the King and his council a license within the next year (or else within the year then next following) to enfeoff at his own expense certain persons in feodo simplici in all his lands in Batterley, Fento Kimord Bydule and Tamgere in Staffordshire, who shall cause Isabel daughter of Cornwall and wife of Blount to be enfeoffed of all ye said lands, and to ye heirs of ye bodies of ye sd John and Isabel Blount, reversion to the right heirs of John, and if in the meantime Isabel be secure and enfeoffed to her and the heirs of their bodies as aforesaid ol all ye other lands of ye sd John in Danson Cloton Wyxhall [Note. The text is untranscribable at this point so the place names guessed] in ye said County that then the execution ol the said writing be null.
                
                    Dai. Salopio die Sabb. proximo an. fest. S. Georgii.

In 1382 John Blount of Sodington (age 36) and Isabella Cornwall were married.

Before April 1383 John Blount of Sodington (age 38) and Juliana Foulhurst were married.

On 26th October 1408 [his son] John Blount (age 31) and [his daughter-in-law] Alice Bere were married at Bratton Fleming Barnstaple, Devon.

After 26th October 1408 [his son] John Blount (age 31) and [his daughter-in-law] Eleanor Unknown were married.

In 1416 [his son] William Blount (age 41) died.

Deeds of King Henry V

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.

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On 4th April 1425 John Blount of Sodington (age 80) died at Mamble, Cleobury Mortimer.

In 1446 William Lichfield died. The estates at Kinlet, Cleobury Mortimer [Map] were inherited by [his grandson] Humphrey Blount (age 25) who was the grandson of John Blount of Sodington who had married [his wife] Isabella Cornwall who was the aunt of William's wife Elizabeth Cornwall (age 36).