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: Jones
Maternal Family Tree: Catherine Fenton Countess Cork 1585-1629
In 1630 [his father] Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh [aged 20] and [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 14] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Boyle 1st Earl Cork [aged 63] and [his grandmother] Catherine Fenton Countess Cork.
On 8th February 1641 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh was born to [his father] Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh [aged 31] and [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 25].
In 1643 [his grandfather] Roger Jones 1st Viscount Ranelagh [aged 54] died. His son [his father] Arthur [aged 33] succeeded 2nd Viscount Ranelagh. [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 27] by marriage Viscountess Ranelagh.
On 28th October 1662 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 21] and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 29] were married.
In 1663 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 21] was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
In 1665 [his daughter] Elizabeth Jones Countess Kildare was born to Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 23] and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 32]. She married 12th June 1684 her second cousin John Fitzgerald 18th Earl of Kildare, son of Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare.
On 7th January 1670 [his father] Arthur Jones 2nd Viscount Ranelagh [aged 60] died. His son Richard [aged 28] succeeded Viscount Ranelagh. [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 37] by marriage Viscountess Ranelagh.
In 1672 [his daughter] Catherine Jones was born to Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 30] and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 39].
Around 1673 [his daughter] Frances Jones was born to Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 31] and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 40]. She married 23rd April 1698 her second cousin Thomas Coningsby 1st Earl Coningsby and had issue.
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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In 1674 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 32] was created 1st Earl Ranelagh. [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 41] by marriage Countess Ranelagh.
Before 7th December 1680 Peter Lely [aged 62]. Portrait of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 39].
In 1683 John Stawell 2nd Baron Stawell [aged 14] and [his future wife] Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 11] were married. She the daughter of James Cecil 3rd Earl Salisbury [aged 35] and Margaret Manners Countess of Salisbury.
On 12th June 1684 [his son-in-law] John Fitzgerald 18th Earl of Kildare [aged 23] and Elizabeth Jones Countess Kildare [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Kildare. She the daughter of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 43] and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 51]. He the son of Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare. They were second cousins.
On 8th August 1689 Ralph Stawell 1st Baron Stawell [aged 48] died at Low Ham, Somerset. His son John [aged 20] succeeded 2nd Baron Stawell of Somerton in Somerset. [his future wife] Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 17] by marriage Baroness Stawell of Somerton in Somerset.
On 3rd December 1691 [his mother] Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh [aged 76] died.
On 1st August 1695 [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh [aged 62] died.
On 9th January 1696 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 54] and Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Countess Ranelagh. The difference in their ages was 30 years. She the daughter of James Cecil 3rd Earl Salisbury and Margaret Manners Countess of Salisbury.
On 23rd April 1698 [his son-in-law] Thomas Coningsby 1st Earl Coningsby [aged 41] and Frances Jones [aged 25] were married. She the daughter of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 57] and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh. They were second cousins.
On 5th January 1712 Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh [aged 70] died. His daughter Catherine Jones [aged 40] inherited Ranelagh House.
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.'
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On 21st February 1728 [his former wife] Margaret Cecil Countess Ranelagh [aged 56] died.
Grammont. Mrs. Middleton was the first whom he attacked: she was one of the handsomest women in town, though then little known at court: so much of the coquette as to discourage no one: and so great was her desire of appearing magnificently, that she was ambitious to vie with those of the greatest fortunes, though unable to support the expense. All this suited the Chevalier de Grammont; therefore, without trifling away his time in useless ceremonies, he applied to her porter for admittance, and chose one of her lovers for his confidant.
This lover, who was not deficient in wit, was at that time a Mr. Jones, afterwards Earl of Ranelagh: what engaged him to serve the Chevalier de Grammont, was to traverse the designs of a most dangerous rival, and to relieve himself from an expense which began to lie too heavy upon him. In both respects the Chevalier answered his purpose.
Immediately spies were placed, letters and presents flew about: he was received as well as he could wish: he was permitted to ogle: he was even ogled again: but this was all: he found that the fair one was very willing to accept, but was tardy in making returns. This induced him, without giving up his pretensions to her, to seek his fortune elsewhere.
GrandFather: Roger Jones 1st Viscount Ranelagh
Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh
GrandFather: Richard Boyle 1st Earl Cork 
Mother: Katherine Boyle Viscountess Ranelagh
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Fenton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Geoffrey Fenton
GrandMother: Catherine Fenton Countess Cork