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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Paternal Family Tree: Delves
Before 4th October 1652 [his father] Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 23] were married.
On 4th October 1652 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet was born to [his father] Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 23].
On 2nd December 1654 [his mother] Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 25] died.
On 23rd May 1663 [his grandfather] Henry Delves 2nd Baronet [aged 65] died. His son [his father] Thomas [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire.
On 13th August 1674 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 21] and Jane Knightley [aged 21] were married.
On 4th October 1678 [his daughter] Elizabeth Delves was born to Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 26] and [his wife] Jane Knightley [aged 25]. She married 10th February 1710 Brian Broughton 3rd Baronet, son of Thomas Broughton 2nd Baronet and Rhoda Amcotts Lady Broughton, and had issue.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th June 1690. Sonday, (Whitsonday) his Majesty [aged 39] went from Peele to Chester; (Portland [aged 40], Scarborough [aged 40] & Warrington [aged 38] in the coach with him interl); I, Bidolph & one of his servants followed the Guards, &c.( the Mayor, Aldermen met him at Boughton, the Livery & Bearers in the streete interl); he went directly to the Cathedral [Map], sate in the Bishops seate; the Bishop [aged 57] attended him as Clarke of the Closet; then preached; after sermon took coach immediately at the church doore, soe to dinner at Geaton, &c. I had 2 pockets picked in the church & severall others besides myselfe; the Mayor invited me but I refused him; I, Bidolph & G.Mainwaring [aged 47] dined with Streete; severall came here to us; Bellot & I went thence to visit Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37], &c. I left Bellot there; went to Jacksons; there were Bidolph, Streete, G.Mainwaring, my 2 sons, Warburton, Wright, Governor (but he stayd not), Colonel Harman, another officer,&c. I and Bidolph & Roger left them past 7; came home neare 9; found Mr Offley there, he stayd all night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th June 1690. Wednesday, a messenger came from Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37] to let us know his lady was not well, soe could not dine with us; but would call to morrow; Bidolph Offley & Roger dined with us; there came 2 men to speake with him about Boudlers money, stayd not, &c. after dinner came Kelsall; sayed Lord Warrington [aged 38] & Mainwaring would be here about 3; would eate a bitt of meate, &c. but he went away about 5; his Lordship staying late at Chester could not call; Mainwaring came past 8.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 12th June 1690. Thursday, Nat Boothe came about 9, went about 10; Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37], his lady, cosen Mainwaring, Foster, Forbes, Angell, Lee, &c. dined with us; after diner came Lady Crew, Mrs Offley, Mrs Aston, &c. these stayd till after supper; Delves,&c. went about 5, Angell soone after them; after supper came Sir Rowland Gwynne [aged 32], Mr LeLeck; Roe: Manley; G.Mainwaring [aged 47] stayd all night, soe did Offley & Nat. Lee.
On 24th December 1692 [his wife] Jane Knightley [aged 39] died.
In or before 1697 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 44] and Elizabeth Booth [aged 23] were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Henry Booth 1st Earl Warrington and Mary Langham Countess Warrington. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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In 1697 [his wife] Elizabeth Booth [aged 24] died.
In or before 1700 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 47] and Elizabeth Barker were married.
In 1700 [his son] Henry Delves was born to Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 47] and [his wife] Elizabeth Barker.
On 10th February 1710 [his son-in-law] Brian Broughton 3rd Baronet [aged 32] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Delves [aged 31] were married. She her father's heiress.
On 15th May 1713 [his father] Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet [aged 82] died. His son Thomas [aged 60] succeeded 4th Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire.
In 1725 [his son] Henry Delves [aged 25] died.
On 12th September 1727 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 74] died. Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire extinct.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Delves
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Delves
10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Delves
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Delves 1st Baronet
12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Henry Delves 2nd Baronet
13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet
14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Wilbraham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Wilbraham
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Egerton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helena Egerton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Wilbraham
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Grosvenor
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Grosvenor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Grosvenor
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Cotton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Cotton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Brereton
GrandMother: Mary Wilbraham
Thomas Delves 4th Baronet
15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Ravenscroft
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Ravenscroft of Bretton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Ravenscroft
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Ravenscroft
GrandFather: Hall Ravenscroft
Mother: Elizabeth Ravenscroft