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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Biography of Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden 1800-1873

Paternal Family Tree: Smith aka Vernon

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Sheppard 1617

In 1797 [his father] Robert Percy Smith [aged 26] and [his mother] Caroline Vernon were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Vernon [aged 70] and [his grandmother] Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory.

On 23rd February 1800 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden was born to [his father] Robert Percy Smith [aged 29] and [his mother] Caroline Vernon.

In 1823 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 22] and Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 15] were married. She the illegitmate daughter of John Fitzpatrick 2nd Earl Upper Ossory and Elizabeth Mary Wilson. They were half first cousins.

On 27th April 1824 [his son] Fitzpatrick Vernon 2nd Baron Lyveden was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 24] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 16]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%. He married (1) 21st June 1853 Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Baroness Lyveden, daughter of Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam and Mary Dundas (2) 1896 Julia Kate Emary Baroness Lyveden.

On 9th November 1825 [his son] Gowran Charles Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 25] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 17]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%.

On 27th July 1828 [his son] Courtenay John Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 28] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 20]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%.

In 1829 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 28] was elected MP Tralee which seat he held until 1831.

On 5th September 1829 [his daughter] Evelyn Elizabeth Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 29] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 21]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%. She married 19th September 1850 George Wodehouse Currie.

In 1831 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 30] was elected MP Northampton which seat he held until 1859.

On 6th March 1835 [his son] Greville Richard Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 35] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 27]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%. He married 13th April 1858 Susan Caroline Cockerell and had issue.

On 10th March 1845 [his father] Robert Percy Smith [aged 74] died at 20 Savile Row.

Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

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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In 1846 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 45] changed the surname of his children to Vernon when his wife inherited the estates of her father [his uncle] John Fitzpatrick 2nd Earl Upper Ossory.

On 19th September 1850 [his son-in-law] George Wodehouse Currie [aged 24] and [his daughter] Evelyn Elizabeth Vernon [aged 21] were married.

On 21st June 1853 [his son] Fitzpatrick Vernon 2nd Baron Lyveden [aged 29] and [his daughter-in-law] Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Baroness Lyveden [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 67] and Mary Dundas.

In 1858 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 57] was created 1st Baron Lyveden. [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 50] by marriage Baroness Lyveden.

On 13th April 1858 [his son] Greville Richard Vernon [aged 23] and [his daughter-in-law] Susan Caroline Cockerell were married.

In 1859 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 58] changed his surname to Vernon.

On 15th January 1872 [his son] Gowran Charles Vernon [aged 46] died.

On 22nd January 1873 [his daughter] Evelyn Elizabeth Vernon [aged 43] died.

On 10th November 1873 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 73] died. He was buried in Brigstock, Boughton. His son Fitzpatrick [aged 49] succeeded 2nd Baron Lyveden. Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Baroness Lyveden [aged 44] by marriage Baroness Lyveden.

After 10th November 1873. St Andrew's Church, Brigstock [Map]. Monument to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [deceased] sculpted by Matthew Noble [aged 56].

On 22nd September 1882 [his former wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 74] died.

Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden 1800-1873 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden 1800-1873

Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden 1800-1873

Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Vernon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Vernon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Muriel Vernon 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Corbet 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

GrandFather: Richard Vernon 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

Mother: Caroline Vernon 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Gower 2nd Baronet

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Leveson-Gower 4th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Leveson Baroness Gower 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Leveson-Gower 1st Baron Gower 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Granville 1st Earl Bath

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Granville Baroness Gower

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Wyche

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Gower 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Manners 1st Duke Rutland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Montagu Countess Rutland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Manners Baroness Gower 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandMother: Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pierrepont of Thoresby 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harries aka Harris

Great x 2 Grandfather: Evelyn Pierrepont 1st Duke Kingston upon Hull 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Wiltshire

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Evelyn

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coxe

Great x 1 Grandmother: Evelyn Pierrepont Baroness Gower 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Feilding 1st Earl Desmond 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bridget Stanhope Countess Desmond 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Fielding Countess Kingston upon Hull 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth