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Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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John Opie is in Painters.
. John Opie. Portrait of the artist's father-in-law James Alderson.
James Alderson: In 1742 he was born to J Alderson. In October 1825 he died.
On 16th May 1761 John Opie was born.
On 4th December 1782 John Opie (age 21) and Mary Bunn were married at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map].
Dictionary of National Biography: Opie's first cares in his new prosperity were to surround his mother with comfort, and to provide himself with a wife. On 4 December 1782 he married Mary Bunn at the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields. She was a daughter of Benjamin Bunn of St. Botolpn's, Aldgate, who combined the business of a solicitor with that of a money-lender. The match was unhappy. In 1795 the lady eloped with one John Edwards, and in the following year Opie obtained a divorce.
1785. John Opie (age 23). Self-portrait.
1787. John Opie (age 25). "The Murder of Rizzio".
Around 1790. John Opie (age 28). Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft (age 30).
1794. John Opie (age 32). Portrait of Henry Fuseli (age 52).
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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In 1796 John Opie (age 34) and Mary Bunn were divorced.
Around 1797. John Opie (age 35). Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft (age 37).
1798. John Opie (age 36). Portrait of the artist's wife [his future wife] Amelia Alderson (age 28).
Amelia Alderson: On 12th November 1769 she was born to James Alderson and Amelia Briggs. On 2nd December 1853 she died at midnight. She was buried in the same grave as her father, in the Friends* burying-ground at Norwich.
After 1798. John Opie (age 36). Portrait of the artist's wife [his future wife] Amelia Alderson (age 28).
On 8th May 1798 John Opie (age 36) and Amelia Alderson (age 28) were married at St Marylebone Church.
Dictionary of National Biography: Meanwhile he had married again, and this time his choice was very fortunate. It was at an evening party at Norwich that he first met Amelia Alderson, the daughter of a doctor of that town, and cousin of Baron Alderson (age 10). He fell in love at first sight. They were married at Marylebone Church on 8 May 1798, and lived till his death at 8 Berners Street, whither he had moved in 1791. They were thoroughly suited to each other; she appreciated liis genius and character. A grace was afterwards observed in his works, especially his female portraits, which they had lacked before. At first fortune did not seem to favour them, and there was a short period at the end of 1801 and the beginning of 1802 when he was wholly without employment; Mrs. Opie considered these ' three alarming months ' as the severest trial in her married life. Then a ' torrent of business ' came, and never ceased to flow till the day of his death.
Around 1804. John Opie (age 42). Self-Portrait.
Around 1804. John Opie (age 42). Portrait of William Henry Hanover 1st Duke Gloucester and Edinburgh (age 60).
. 1805. John Opie (age 43). Portrait of Robert Southey (age 30).
. 1805. John Opie (age 43). Portrait of Edward Boscawen (age 17).
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1805. John Opie (age 43). Self-portrait.
1805. John Opie (age 43). Portrait of Bishop Shute Barrington (age 70).
On 9th April 1817 John Opie (age 55) died. He was buried at St Paul's Cathedral [Map].
On 2nd December 1853 [his former wife] Amelia Alderson (age 84) died at midnight. She was buried in the same grave as her father, in the Friends* burying-ground at Norwich.