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: Cheke
On 16th June 1514 John Cheke was born to [his father] Peter Cheke at Cambridge [Map].
Around 1528 John Cheke [aged 13] educated at St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].
Around 1548 [his son] Henry Cheeke was born to John Cheke [aged 33]. He married before 7th January 1570 Frances Radclyffe and had issue.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 27th July 1553. The xxvij day of July the duke of Suffoke [aged 36], maister [Cheke] [aged 39] the kynges scolmaster, maister Coke, (and) ser John Yorke [aged 43], to the Towre [Map].
Note. Sir John Yorke had been under-treasurer of the mint. Together with other officers of the same he had a pardon for all manner of trangressions, &c. July 21, 1552. (Strype.)
Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1553. From London, 1 Aug. 1553. "Sir John Cheeke [aged 39], with diveres others, whos names presently I cannot remember, be prisoners in the Towere.
Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1553. 13th September 1553. Note, that the xiijth of this moneth mr. Cheke [aged 39] a was dismissed out of his imprysonment in the Tower.
Note 1. Sir John Cheke.
On 13th September 1557 John Cheke [aged 43] died.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 13th September 1557. The xiij day of September ded ser John Cheyke [aged 43], sumtyme skollmaster unto kyng Edward the vjth tyll he [died].
Note. P. 151. Death of sir John Cheke. He was buried in London in St. Alban's, Woodstreet; and his epitaph in Latin verse will be found in Stowe. His biography is well known from the Life by Strype; his "Gospel according to St. Matthew and Part of St. Mark, translated from the Original Greek, with Notes," was first published in 1843, with an Introduction by James Goodwin, B.D.
John Evelyn's Diary. 19th July 1670. I accompanied my worthy friend, that excellent man, Sir Robert Murray [aged 62], with Mr. Slingsby [aged 49], Master of the Mint, to see the latter's seat and estate at Burrow-Green [Map] in Cambridgeshire, he desiring our advice for placing a new house, which he was resolved to build. We set out in a coach and six horses with him and his lady, dined about midway at one Mr. Turner's, where we found a very noble dinner, venison, music, and a circle of country ladies and their gallants. After dinner, we proceeded, and came to Burrow-Green [Map] that night. This had been the ancient seat of the Cheekes (whose daughter Mr. Slingsby married), formerly tutor to King Henry VI [NOTE. Possibly a mistake for Edward VI since John Cheke was tutor to Edward VI]. The old house large and ample, and built for ancient hospitality, ready to fall down with age, placed in a dirty hole, a stiff clay, no water, next an adjoining church-yard, and with other inconveniences. We pitched on a spot of rising ground, adorned with venerable woods, a dry and sweet prospect east and west, and fit for a park, but no running water; at a mile distance from the old house.
GrandFather: Robert Cheke
Father: Peter Cheke