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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Around 1325 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was born to [his father] John Savile of Shelley and Golcar.
In or after 3rd September 1346 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar took part in the Siege of Calais.
In 1353 [his father] John Savile of Shelley and Golcar died.
In or before June 1353 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar and Isabel Elland were married. Her father Thomas Elland settled the manors of Tankersley and Elland on them as part of the marriage settlement.
Around 1354 [his son] John Savile was born to John Savile of Shelley and Golcar and [his wife] Isabel Elland.
Around 1355 [his son] Henry Savile of Thornhill was born to John Savile of Shelley and Golcar and [his wife] Isabel Elland. He married in or before 1380 Elizabeth Thornhill and had issue.
On 19th September 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France at the Battle of Poitiers
King John "The Good" II of France was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.
The the English army included: Bernard Brocas, Thomas Felton, James Audley, Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick, Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh, Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham, Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh, Ralph Ferrers, William Scrope, William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury, Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh, Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk, William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk, John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford, John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby, Thomas Arderne, Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos, Richard Pembridge, Jean Grailly, Robert de Fouleshurst and John Sully
John Savile of Shelley and Golcar probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.
Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon protected the baggage train.
The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France, Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy, Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche, Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas, John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count of Eu; all captured.
Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas fought.
Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon was killed. Louis Bourbon II Duke Bourbon succeeded II Duke Bourbon.
Gauthier VI Comte de Brienne was killed.
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In November 1364 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of Conspiracies in Yorkshire.
In February 1365 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of disorder at Wortley.
After 1367 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar transferred his allegiance to the new duke, John of Gaunt, becoming a member of the latter's affinity, at a fee of £20 a year during this period. In return for his annuity he took part in at least three expeditions to France.
On 3rd April 1367 the forces of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile commanded by Edward "Black Prince" defeated the army of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile at the Battle of Nájera at Nájera. The English forces included John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, William Scrope, Peter Courtenay, John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux, John Savile of Shelley and Golcar, Bernard Brocas and Thomas Banastre.
The forces of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile included Bertrand Geusclin. The battle achieved little since Bertrand Geusclin escaped.
John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley was killed. Robert Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley succeeded 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Margaret Despencer Baroness Ferrers of Chartley by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.
Edward "Black Prince" thereafter returned home, taking Peter's daughters Constance and Isabella as hostages to ensure Peter would pay the money owed to Edward. Constance married John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, Isabella married Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York.
Before May 1369 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was knighted.
In February 1370 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of poaching at Halifax.
In April 1373 Gaunt's receiver was ordered to pay the 30 archers whom Saville and Sir Robert Rockley had commanded on one of these recent operations. Sir John probably had the duke to thank for the knighthood which was bestowed upon him in the late 1360s; and he also acquired the marriage of [his future daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Thornton, one of his patron's wards, albeit for 'un grant somme'.
In 1376 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was elected MP Yorkshire in the Good Parliament. During the Good Parliament, he was sufficiently trusted to conduct Thomas Caterton from Queenborough Castle for interrogation before Parliament. Caterton had been appealed for treason by Sir John Annesley, and the court party, including Gaunt, was anxious to protect him from attack. In the event, they were able to hold off the opposition, despite some damning revelations about their conduct of the war-effort. The duke himself was singled out for particular criticism, and during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 he fled into Scotland, leaving his Savoy Palace to be destroyed by the London mob. Gaunt was, understandably, reluctant to cross the border again without the protection of a sizeable bodyguard. In late June 1376, therefore, his leading retainers in the north were instructed to provide an escort for his journey to Knaresborough. Not only did John Savile of Shelley and Golcar mobilize a personal retinue of ten men-at-arms and 40 archers; he also helped to suppress the rebellion in the north by serving on two commissions for the punishment of insurgents.
In or before 1380 [his son] Henry Savile of Thornhill and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Thornhill were married.
From 3rd March 1380 to 18th October 1380 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.
From 24th March 1380 to 1st November 1383 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.
In January 1381 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer for liability for poll tax.
In October 1382 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was elected MP Yorkshire.
In November 1382 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer for the goods of traitors.
In April 1384 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was elected MP Yorkshire.
In November 1384 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was elected MP Yorkshire.
From 18th November 1387 to 1st December 1388 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.
In April 1388 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of obstructions to the Ouse.
In October 1388 and November 1388 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of escapes from York jail.
In September 1389 the Scrope vs Grosvenor Case was brought to the Court of Chivalry. Up to that time two families, Scrope and Grosvenor, had been using the armorial 
Scrope Arms: Azure, a bend or.
Several hundred witnesses were called including John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, Geoffrey Chaucer and John Savile of Shelley and Golcar.
On 3rd September 1386 Owain ap Gruffudd "Glyndŵr" Mathrafal Prince Powys gave evidence at the Church of John the Baptist, Chester.
The Court decided in favour of Scrope.
Neither party was happy with the decision so King Richard II was called upon to give his personal verdict.
On 27th May 1390 he confirmed that Grosvenor could not bear the undifferenced arms.
As a consequence of the case the Grosvenor has for many years used the name Bendor for horses and nicknames.
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In January 1390 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was elected MP Yorkshire.
In May 1390 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was a Commissioner of oyer and terminer of obstructions to the Ouse.
Before June 1396 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar was appointed Constable of Pontefract Castle.
Before 23rd September 1399 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar died at Halifax. His will was proved on 23rd September 1399. His elder son, John, appearing as his principal executor. Two months later his widow, Isabel, took a vow of perpetual chastity before a suffragan of the archbishop of York.
After 1423 [his former wife] Isabel Elland died.