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Paternal Family Tree: Cooke
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Fitzwilliam 1504-1588
Before 1523 [her father] Anthony Cooke (age 18) and [her mother] Anne Fitzwilliam (age 18) were married.
In 1526 Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley was born to [her father] Anthony Cooke (age 22) and [her mother] Anne Fitzwilliam (age 22).
In 1541 [her future husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 20) and Mary Cheke were married.
On 21st December 1546 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 26) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 20) were married.
On 22nd February 1547 Thomas Fitzherbert (age 33) was knighted. [her father] Anthony Cooke (age 43) was created Knight of the Bath.
In 1548 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 27) was appointed Master of Requests.
On 4th June 1550 Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester (age 17) and Amy Robsart (age 17) were married at Sheen Palace [Map]. King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 12) and [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 29) attended. He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 46) and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland (age 41).
On 5th September 1550 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 29) was appointed Secretary of State.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In April 1551 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 30) was appointed Chancellor of the Order of the Garter.
In 1553 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 32) was elected Knight of the Shire Lincolnshire.
In 1555 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 34) was elected Knight of the Shire Lincolnshire.
Around 1556 [her daughter] Frances Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 35) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 30).
On 5th December 1556 [her daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 36) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 30). She married Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford, son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford, and had issue.
In 1558 Nicholas Bacon (age 47) was appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal following Elizabeth I's accession. He was supported in the appointment by his brother-in-law [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 37).
In 1559 [her son] William Cecil died.
In 1559 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 38) was elected Knight of the Shire Lincolnshire.
In 1559 [her son] William Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 38) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 33). He died aged less than one years old.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In February 1559 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 38) was elected Chancellor Cambridge University.
In 1561 [her son] William Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 40) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 35). He died aged less than one years old.
In 1561 [her son] William Cecil died.
In January 1561 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 40) was appointed Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries.
Henry Machyn's Diary. July 1562. The .. day of July was christened the dowther of Wylliam Harve (age 52) aleas Clarenceux king of armes, in the parryche of sant Brydes, the godfather Cordall master of the rolles knyght, and the godmothers my [her sister] lade Bacon (age 35) my lord keper('s) (age 51) wyff, and my lade Sysselle (age 36) [Note. Sister of Anne Cooke] wife of ser [her husband] Wylliam Sysselle (age 41); and after unto master Clarenshux('s), and ther was a grett bankett as I have sene, and wassail, of epocras, Frenche wyne, Gaskyn wyne, and Reynys [wine,] with grett plente, and all ther servandes had a banekett in the hall with dyvers dyssys [dishes].
In 1563 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 42) was elected Knight of the Shire Northamptonshire.
On 1st June 1563 [her son] Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 42) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 37). He married 1589 Elizabeth Brooke, daughter of William Brooke 10th Baron Cobham and Frances Newton Baroness Cobham, and had issue.
On 17th September 1563 Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland (age 36) died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son Edward (age 14) succeeded 3rd Earl of Rutland, 14th Baron Ros Helmsley. Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland became a ward of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 30) and was specially under the charge of [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43).
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 1st July 1564 [her daughter] Elizabeth Cecil was born to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43) and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 38). She married 26th February 1582 William Wentworth, son of Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth and Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth.
In August 1564 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 30) visited Cambridge University accompanied by William Howard 1st Baron Howard (age 54) and [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 43). William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley was created Master of Arts: Cambridge University.
John Astley (age 57) was created Master of Arts: Cambridge University.
On 10th August 1564 Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland (age 15) was created Master of Arts: Cambridge University.
In or before 1566 [her step-son] Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter (age 23) and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter (age 17) were married.
Around August 1566 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 32) visited Oxford University. [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 45) was created Master of Arts: Oxford University.
On 25th February 1571 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 50) was created 1st Baron Burghley. Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 45) by marriage Baroness Burghley.
On 16th December 1571 a triple wedding was celebrated at Whitehall Palace [Map].. with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38) present...
Edward Sutton 4th Baron Dudley (age 46) and Mary Howard Baroness Dudley (age 23) were married. She by marriage Baroness Dudley. The difference in their ages was 23 years. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
[her son-in-law] Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford (age 21) and [her daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. He the son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford.
Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 21) and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Worcester. She the daughter of Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon (age 60). He the son of William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester (age 45) and Christina North Countess of Worcester. They were third cousin once removed.
In 1572 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 51) was appointed 356th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38).
In 1572 [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 51) was appointed Lord High Treasurer.
On 11th June 1576 [her father] Anthony Cooke (age 72) died.
On 4th October 1581 Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton (age 36) died. His son Henry (age 7) succeeded 3rd Earl of Southampton. His wardship was sold by the Queen to her kinsman, Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham (age 45), for £1000. Howard then transferred his wardship to [her husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 61).
On 26th February 1582 [her son-in-law] William Wentworth (age 27) and [her daughter] Elizabeth Cecil (age 17) were married.
On 5th June 1588 [her mother] Anne Fitzwilliam (age 84) died.
On 5th June 1588 [her daughter] Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford (age 31) died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map]. She shares a monument with her mother Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 62). The monument rises to twenty-four feet, and is constructed of various coloured marbles, after a design of the Corinthian order. The Latin inscriptions, which are very long, were written by [her husband] Lord Burleigh (age 67) himself, and set forth the varied accomplishments and the virtues of the two ladies who are represented in effigy in the lower part of the monument. The figure of Lord Burleigh, in his robes, and in a kneeling attitude, appears in the upper part of the monument.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1589 [her son] Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury (age 25) and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Brooke (age 25) were married.
On 4th April 1589 or 5th April 1589 Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley (age 63) died. She was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].
On 4th August 1598 [her former husband] William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 77) died. His son [her former step-son] Thomas (age 56) succeeded 2nd Baron Burghley. He was buried at St Martin's Church, Stamford [Map] with a large free-standing Elizabethan Period monument under the north chapel arch, in coloured marbles with a figure on tomb chest under an arched canopy supported on paired columns. Attributed to Cornelius Cure. The emblem of the Knights of the Garter on William's left shoulder. Leg Garter. In his right-hand he is holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office; originally white.
The inscription on the monument is on contained within three panels: two on the south (Chancel) side, and one on the north (Chapel) side.
Sacred to God most good and great, and to memory. The most honourable and far renowned Lord William Cecil, Baron of Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England, President of the Court of Wards, knight of the most noble order of the Garter, Privy Counsellor to the most serene Elizabeth, Queen of England, &c., and Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, under this tomb awaits the second coming of Christ: Who for the excellent endowments of the mind, was first made Privy Counsellor to Edward the sixth, King of England; afterwards to Queen Elizabeth: under whom being intrusted with the greatest and most weighty affairs of this kingdom, and above all others approved, in promoting the true religion, and providing for the safety and honour of the commonwealth; by his prudence, honesty, integrity, and great services to the nation, he obtained the highest honours: and when he had long enough to nature, long enough for glory, but not long enough to his country, quietly fell asleep in Christ. He had two wives: Mary, sister of Sir John Cheeke, knight, of whom ie begat one son, Thomas, now Baron of Burghley; and Mildred, daughter of Sir [her father] Anthony Cooke, knight, who bore to him Sir [her son] Robert Cecil (age 35), knight, Privy Counsellor to Queen Elizabeth and President of the Court of Wards; [her daughter] Anne, married to [her former son-in-law] Edward, Earl of Oxford (age 48); and [her daughter] Elizabeth (age 34) to [her former son-in-law] William Wentworth, eldest son of Baron Wentworth.
Mary Cheke: she was born to Peter Cheke. In 1541 William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and she were married. In February 1543 Mary Cheke died.
Elizabeth Cecil: On 1st July 1564 she was born to William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley. On 26th February 1582 William Wentworth and she were married.
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Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Cooke of Lavenham in Suffolk
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cooke
Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip Cooke
GrandFather: John Cooke of Gidea Hall
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Belnap
Father: Anthony Cooke
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Saunders of Banbury in Oxfordshire
GrandMother: Alice Saunders
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Spencer of Hodnell in Warwickshire 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Spencer
Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzwilliam 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fitzwilliam 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Cromwell 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Bernake 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Fitzwilliam 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: William Fitzwilliam 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Mother: Anne Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England