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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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Paternal Family Tree: Ridley of Blagdon Hall, Northumberland
On 14th November 1711 Matthew Ridley was born to [his father] Richard Ridley of Heaton and Newcastle upon Tyne.
In 1724 Matthew Ridley (age 12) commenced his education at Westminster School [Map].
In December 1727 Matthew Ridley (age 16) matriculated St John's College, Oxford University.
In 1730 Matthew Ridley (age 18) was awarded Master of Arts.
In 1733 Matthew Ridley (age 21) was elected Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne.
On 18th November 1742 Matthew Ridley (age 31) and Elizabeth White (age 21) were married.
On 28th October 1745 [his son] Matthew White Ridley 2nd Baronet was born to Matthew Ridley (age 33) and [his wife] Elizabeth White (age 24).
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 5th March 1749 [his son] Nicholas Ridley of Link House, Blyth was born to Matthew Ridley (age 37) and [his wife] Elizabeth White (age 28). He married 23rd November 1790 Letitia Atkins.
In 1756 [his brother-in-law] Matthew White 1st Baronet (age 29) was created 1st Baronet White of Blagdon in Northumberland, with remainder to the heirs male of his sister [his wife] Elizabeth White (age 35), wife of Matthew Ridley (age 44).
In 1764 [his wife] Elizabeth White (age 43) died.
On 6th April 1778 Matthew Ridley (age 66) died. Monument at the Cathedral Church St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne [Map] sculpted by John "The Elder" Bacon (age 37).