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: Skeffington
John Skeffington 2nd was born to [his father] Richard Skeffington and [his mother] Anne Newdigate.
In 1646 John Skeffington 2nd was elected MP Staffordshire which seat he held until 1647.
Before 2nd June 1647 [his father] Richard Skeffington (age 56) and [his mother] Anne Newdigate were married.
On 2nd June 1647 [his father] Richard Skeffington (age 56) died.
On or before 7th April 1652 William Skeffington 3rd Baronet died. He was buried at the Church of St Thomas Becket, Skeffington [Map] on 7th April 1652. His first cousin John succeeded 4th Baronet Skeffington of Fisherwick in Staffordshire.
On 20th July 1654 John Skeffington 2nd and Mary Clotworthy were married at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden.
In 1660 [his son] Clotworthy Skeffington 3rd Viscount Massereene was born to John Skeffington 2nd and [his wife] Mary Clotworthy. He married Rachel Hungerford Viscountess Massereene and had issue.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 21st September 1664. Thence to White Hall with him, and so walked to the Old Exchange [Map] and back to Povy's (age 50) to dinner, where great and good company; among others Sir John Skeffington, whom I knew at Magdalen College, a fellow-commoner, my fellow-pupil, but one with whom I had no great acquaintance, he being then, God knows, much above me. Here I was afresh delighted with Mr. Povy's house and pictures of perspective, being strange things to think how they do delude one's eye, that methinks it would make a man doubtful of swearing that ever he saw any thing.
In September 1665 [his father-in-law] John Clotworthy 1st Viscount Massereene died. His son-in-law John Skeffington 2nd succeeded 2nd Viscount Massereene, 2nd Baron Lough Neagh.
In or before 1678 [his son-in-law] Charles Hoghton 4th Baronet (age 33) and [his daughter] Mary Skeffington Lady Hoghton were married. She by marriage Lady Hoghton of Hoghton Tower in Lancashire.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 29th November 1681 [his son-in-law] George St George 1st Baron St George (age 23) and [his daughter] Margaret Skeffington Lady St George were married.
On 20th September 1686 [his wife] Mary Clotworthy died.
In 1695 John Skeffington 2nd died. His son Clotworthy (age 35) succeeded 3rd Viscount Massereene, 3rd Baron Lough Neagh, 5th Baronet Skeffington of Fisherwick in Staffordshire.
[his daughter] Margaret Skeffington Lady St George was born to John Skeffington 2nd and Mary Clotworthy. She married 29th November 1681 George St George 1st Baron St George, son of Oliver St George 1st Baronet and Olivia Beresford, and had issue.
[his daughter] Mary Skeffington Lady Hoghton was born to John Skeffington 2nd and Mary Clotworthy. She married in or before 1678 Charles Hoghton 4th Baronet, son of Richard Hoghton 3rd Baronet and Sarah Stanhope Lady Hoghton, and had issue.
GrandFather: William Skeffington 1st Baronet
Father: Richard Skeffington
GrandMother: Elizabeth Dering
John Skeffington 2nd Viscount Massereene 
GrandFather: John Newdigate of Arbury in Warwickshire
Mother: Anne Newdigate