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All About History Books

The 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.

Biography of Mary "May" Morris 1862-1938

On 26th April 1859 [her father] William Morris (age 25) and [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 19) were married at St Michael at the Northgate Church, Oxford.

On 25th March 1862 Mary "May" Morris was born to William Morris (age 28) and Jane Morris nee Burden (age 22) at the Red House. She was baptised 30th May 1862 at Christ Church, Bexleyheath.

1871. The census records [her father] William Morris (age 36), [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 31), Elizabeth Burden, sister-in-law, [her sister] Jane Alicia Morris (age 9), Mary "May" Morris (age 8) and three servants living at 21 Queen Square, Bloomsbury.

1872. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 43). Portrait of Mary "May" Morris (age 9).

1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 44). "La Ghirlandata" aka "The Garlanded Woman" aka "The Lady of the Wreath". Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding (age 26). Mary "May" Morris (age 10) modelled for the heads in the corners. A woman playing a harp as two angels surround her, enclosed by vivid flowers – including honeysuckle and roses – and luscious green foliage which melds into the green of her dress.

Between 1875 and 1878. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 46). The Blessed Damozel. Models centre Alice aka Alexa Wilding (age 28), probably left-hand angel Mary "May" Morris (age 12). The first four verses of his poem The Blessed Damozel are written on the frame. In the collection of the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map].

Around 1887. Frederick Hollyer (age 48). Photograph of Mary "May" Morris (age 24).

On 14th June 1890 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 30) and Mary "May" Morris (age 28) were married at Fulham Register Office. She the daughter of William Morris (age 56) and Jane Morris nee Burden (age 50).

On 3rd October 1896 [her father] William Morris (age 62) died after several months of "general organic degeneration", at Kelmscott House, Hammersmith. He died, Mackail says, 'quietly and without visible suffering' (II, 335)'

On 6th October 1896 [her father] William Morris (deceased) was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map]. His gravestone was designed by his friend Philip Webb. His wife [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 56) and daughter Mary "May" Morris (age 34) attended. The funeral is described by William Fredeman here.

In 1898 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 38) and Mary "May" Morris (age 35) were divorced.

3rd November 1909. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Mary "May" Morris (age 47).

All About History Books

The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

On 26th January 1914 [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 74) died at 5 Brock Street, Bath. On 29th January 1914 she was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map] in the same grave as her husband [her father] William Morris. Her body was driven in a 'motor' from Bath to the manor house just before the service. Her coffin was 17th century style and in oak with brass furniture and a simple inscription of her name and date of death, and was carried into the church by six village men. The church was well attended by the villagers as well as familiar names from the world of art and literature including Marie Stillman (age 69) whose wreath was noted in the papers. The hymn 'Now the labourer's task is o'er' was sung and the organist played the Dead March as the coffin was carried out to where William was already buried.

On 9th September 1924 [her former husband] Henry Halliday Sparling (age 64) died.

On 17th October 1938 Mary "May" Morris (age 76) died at Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire. She was buried in the same grave as her [her father] father and [her mother] mother at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map].

Ancestors of Mary "May" Morris 1862-1938

Great x 1 Grandfather: Unamed Morris

GrandFather: William Morris

Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Stanley

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanley

Father: William Morris

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Shelton

Great x 1 Grandfather: Joseph Shelton

GrandMother: Emma Shelton

Mary "May" Morris

GrandFather: Robert Burden Stableman

Mother: Jane Morris nee Burden

GrandMother: Ann Maizey Domestic Servant