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: Egerton
In 1540 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley was born illegitimately to [his father] Richard Egerton [aged 30] and [his mother] Alice Sparkes of Bickerton at Dodleston, Cheshire [Map].
In 1559 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 19] graduated Bachelor of Arts at Brasenose College, Oxford University.
In 1576 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 36] and Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 32] were married.
In 1577 [his son] Thomas Egerton was born to Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 37] and Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 33]. He married before 1594 his third cousin Isabella Venables and had issue.
Before 1579 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 38] was appointed Queen's Counsel.
In 1579 [his son] John Egerton 1st Earl Bridgewater was born to Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 39] and Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 35]. He married 27th June 1602 Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater, daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby, and had issue.
In 1579 [his daughter] Mary Egerton was born to Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 39] and Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 35]. She married before 1601 Francis Leigh and had issue.
On 6th January 1579 [his father] Richard Egerton [aged 69] died. He was buried at St Boniface's Church, Bunbury [Map].
On 28th June 1581 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 41] was appointed Solicitor General.
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 1584 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 44] was elected MP Cheshire.
Before 1594 [his son] Thomas Egerton [aged 16] and [his daughter-in-law] Isabella Venables [aged 17] were married. They were third cousins.
In 1594 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 54] was knighted.
In 1596 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 56] and Elizabeth More were married.
On 20th October 1600 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 60] and Alice Spencer Countess Derby [aged 51] were married.
Before 1601 [his son-in-law] Francis Leigh [aged 21] and [his daughter] Mary Egerton [aged 21] were married.
On 8th February 1601 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 61] and three others were held hostage by Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex [aged 35] at Essex House. Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley attempted to rouse London but his support never materialised. When he returned to Essex House he found the hostages gone. Essex House was besieged by the Queen's men under Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham [aged 65]. Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton [aged 27] surrendered. Charles Danvers [aged 33] and Christopher Blount [aged 36] took part. Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 24] was implicated and was imprisoned for several months. He was fined £30000; a staggering amount three times more than any other conspirator.
On 27th June 1602 [his son] John Egerton 1st Earl Bridgewater [aged 23] and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater [aged 19] were married. She the daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby [aged 53].
In 1603 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 63] was appointed Lord Chancellor.
On 21st July 1603 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 37] created a number of new Baronies...
Thomas Egerton [aged 63] was created 1st Baron Ellesmere. Alice Spencer Countess Derby [aged 54] by marriage Baroness Ellesmere.
Robert Spencer [aged 33] was created 1st Baron Spencer Wormleighton.
John Harrington [aged 63] was created 1st Baron Harington of Exton. Anne Keilway Baroness Harington [aged 49] by marriage Baroness Harington of Exton.
In 1607 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 67] was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.
Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2.243. 243. To Sir Dudley Carleton [aged 43]. [S. P. Dom., Jac. I, lxxxvii, 51.] London, June 8, 1616.
My very goode Lord: When I wrote last I left the earle of Somerset [aged 29] pleading for his life, but that he saide for himself was so litle that he was found guilty by all his peeres: which did so litle appall him that when he was asked what he could say why sentence shold not be pronounced, he stoode still upon his innocence, and could hardly be brought to refer himself to the Kinges mercie: upon which termes he stands still, and having leave to write to the King, hath only required that his judgement of hanging shold be chaunged to heading, and that his daughter might have such of his lands as the King doth not resume and reserve in his owne handes. The Lady Knolles [aged 33] and some other frends have had accesse to the Lady [aged 26] divers times since her conviction, and caried her younge daughter to her twise or thrise; but I heare not of any that comes at him. He hath ben much urged and fayre offered to confesse the offence both before his arraignment and since, but he stands firme in denial: though by all circumstances and most pregnant, (yea almost infallible) probabilities he be more faulty and fowle then any of the companie, which makes the King marvayle that all the rest that have gon before having so franckly confessed the matter after theyre condemnation, he only shold continue so confident. Whether this or any other reason be the cause of stay of execution I know not, but they live yet and for ought I can learne so are like to do many a day. Sir Thomas Mounsons [aged 51] arraignment which shold have ben yesterday, was then put of again till the Tewsday after the terme, which procrastination from time to time makes the world thincke we shall heare no more of this busines, the rather for that the Lord Cooke [aged 64] of late is fallen (I know not how) into disfavor, so far foorth that the King hath ben very bitter to him, both in privat and publike, as upon Thursday last when all the Judges were called before the King at Whitehall, to geve a reason of theyre proceeding in the exchecquer chamber to argue a case of commendams contrarie to his commaundment by expresse message, and sending a letter subscribed by them all, not so respectively and reverently written as might become them, they all stoode upon the very words and termes of law and statutes and upon the strictnes of theyre oath: but the heaviest burthen lighted on him, wherin he behaved and caried himself so well and confidently, that the matter goes on, and they argue yt again this day, contrarie to the expectation and hope of all the bishops. But the worst is that the Lord Chauncellor [aged 76], the atturny [aged 55] and sollicitor [aged 49] prosecute him implacablie, and have won so much ground upon him, that there is a commission graunted to the Lord Archbishop, the Lord Knollis [aged 72], Sir Thomas Lake [aged 48] and Sir Fulke Grivell to call him before them and examine him upon articles and points touching the premunire: and withall, the whole course of his life is like to be ript up and looked into which yf yt be severely followed many men feare yt may be his utter overthrow. But he holdes up his head, and geves no way, which makes his frends thincke he will passe over this storme and tempest well enough. Our goode frend [aged 53] stands only firme to him in what he may, which many marvayle at, and sticke not to say he is corrupted, which I thincke is as far from the one as the other: but howsoever, I could wish he shold not presume so much on the strength of his shoulders, as to thincke he alone were able to beare up the ruines of a building that is falling: and to say truth in many such cases I observe he hath more courage then needs, not weighing his owne strength, nor that yt is soma d'altri homeri [the burden of other men], for I perceve he hath litle appoggio [support, baking] to the maine piller [aged 23] that now stands upright.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 7th November 1616 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 76] was created 1st Viscount Brackley. Alice Spencer Countess Derby [aged 67] by marriage Viscountess Brackley.
Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2.252. [14th November 1616] On Saterday the Knights of the Bath were entertained by the Lord Mayor at Drapers Hall with a supper and a play, where some of them were so rude and unruly and caried themselves so insolently divers wayes but specially in putting citizens wives to the squeake, so far foorth that one of the sheriffes brake open a doore upon Sir Edward Sackvile [aged 25], which gave such occasion of scandall, that they went away without the banket though yt were redy and prepared for them. Neither did they forbeare these disorders among themselves, for there were divers picques and quarrells at their severall meetings, but specially at the Miter in Fleetstreet, insomuch that younge Parker [aged 16] sonne to the Lord Mountegle [aged 41], and Will Howard the Lord Treasurers [aged 55] youngest sonne went into the feild, but were there prevented and reconciled. There was a greater busines towards in that kind betwixt the earle of Dorset [aged 27] and the Lord Clifford [aged 25], upon notice wherof the King and counsaile have taken order that they forbeare one another, and try out theyre controversies by warres in Westminster Hall. The Lady Compton [aged 46] (the Lord Villers [aged 24] mother) appeares not here this terme, which is much noted, and thought to be sore against her will, but the reason is saide to be certain letters from her sonne with advise to forbeare, for that her entermedling in matters is not so well taken. The Lord Chauncellor [aged 76] comes litle abrode since his new dignitie1, beeing overtaken with a cold, or as some interpret yt in suspence what wold become of the Lord Cooke.
Note 1. Thomas Egerton was created Viscount Brackley on the 7th November 1616.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 14th March 1617. The 14th I made an end of my Irish stitch cushion. This afternoon Basket came from London and told me that my Lord [aged 27] and my Uncle were agreed and the writings sealed.
The King set forward this day on his journey to Scotland, the Queen and Prince going with him to Thibalds1.
Note 1. The 14th being Friday my Uncle Cumberland and my Coz. Clifford came to Dorset House where my Lord and they signed and sealed the writings and made a final conclusion of my business and did what they could to cut me off from my right, but I referred my cause to GOD.
Upon this Friday or Saturday died my Lord Chancellor Egerton [aged 77], Lady Derby's [aged 67] husband.
On 15th March 1617 Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley [aged 77] died. His son John [aged 38] succeeded 2nd Viscount Brackley, 2nd Baron Ellesmere. Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater [aged 34] by marriage Viscountess Brackley.
Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 9th October 1621. Michaelmas Term beginning upon Tuesday, the 9th day of October, John Williams [aged 39], Doctor of Divinity, Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Lincoln, took his place in the Chancery, as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Viscount Mandeville [aged 58], Lord President, administering the oath to him. Much talk there was of this divine's sudden rising, being a Welchman by birth, and, but a few years before, a poor subsizar in St. John's College in Cambridge of little regard or learniug. After he had taken his oath, he made a long, learned, and ho&est speech in the Chancery Court; but little practised it, as the sequel too plainly verified. I heard it confidently reported, that the old Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Ellesmere, prophesied of him, being then his household chaplain, that he would prove another Wolsey, which was as strangely verified many years after by his fall, as now by his rising.
Autobiography Simon D'Ewes. 9th January 1622. Sir Edward Coke [aged 69], who had been of the House of Commons in the late Parliament and since about the end of December last foregoing, imprisoned in the Tower [Map], was now granted liberty of walking in any part of it. He was a great common lawyer, had been Attorney General, afterwards Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and lastly Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, out of which place he had been put divers years before upon his attempting to bring the old Lord Chancellor, Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Ellesmere, within the compass of a premunire. He did notable good service in the House of Commons during the last Parliament, and thereby won much love and credit.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Urian "The Younger" Egerton 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Egerton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Amelia de Warburton
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Egerton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip Egerton
GrandFather: Ralph Egerton
Father: Richard Egerton
Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley
Mother: Alice Sparkes of Bickerton