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: Sandes aka Sandys
1520 Field of the Cloth of Gold
1528 Sweating Sickness Outbreak
1532 Anne Boleyn's Investiture as Marchioness of Pembroke
1536 Trial of Anne and George Boleyn
18 Apr 1540 Thomas Cromwell created Earl of Essex and Great Chamberlain
In or before 1470 [his father] William Sandes [aged 31] and [his mother] Margaret Cheney [aged 16] were married.
In 1470 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne was born to [his father] William Sandes [aged 32] and [his mother] Margaret Cheney [aged 17] at The Vyne, Sherbourne St John [Map].
In or before 1487 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 16] and Margret Bray were married.
Around 1487 [his daughter] Alice Sandys was born to William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 17] and [his wife] Margret Bray. She married 1527 Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford Heytesbury and had issue.
On 26th October 1496 [his son] Thomas Sandys 2nd Baron Sandys of the Vyne was born to William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 26] and [his wife] Margret Bray. He married in or before 1520 Elizabeth Manners Baroness Sandys Vyne, daughter of George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley and Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley, and had issue.
Before 10th September 1497 [his brother-in-law] Ralph Neville [aged 27] and [his half-sister] Edith Sandys Baroness were married. He the son of Ralph Neville 3rd Earl of Westmoreland [aged 41] and Isabel Booth.
On 26th October 1497 [his father] William Sandes [aged 59] died.
Around 1500 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Templehurst [aged 33] and [his half-sister] Edith Sandys Baroness were married.
On 17th October 1509 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Templehurst [aged 42] was created 1st Baron Darcy of Darcy aka Templehurst. [his half-sister] Edith Sandys Baroness by marriage Baroness Darcy of Darcy aka Templehurst.
In 1518 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 48] was appointed 277th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 26].
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 or before 1520 [his son] Thomas Sandys 2nd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 23] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Manners Baroness Sandys Vyne were married.
In June 1520 Henry VIII [aged 28] hosted Field of the Cloth of Gold at Balinghem [Map].
Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 42] carried the Sword of State.
Bishop John Stokesley [aged 45] attended as Henry VIII's chaplain.
Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye [aged 36], Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth [aged 42], Anthony Poyntz [aged 40], William Coffin [aged 25], William "Great" Courtenay [aged 43], Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 37], William Paston [aged 41], William Denys [aged 50], Richard Cecil [aged 25], William Parr 1st Baron Parr of Horton [aged 37], [his nephew] Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 22], John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt [aged 40], Henry Guildford [aged 31], Marmaduke Constable [aged 40], William Compton [aged 38], William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy [aged 42], Thomas Cheney [aged 35], Henry Willoughby [aged 69], John Rodney [aged 59], John Marney 2nd Baron Marney [aged 36], William Sidney [aged 38], John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford [aged 20], John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 49], Edmund Walsingham [aged 40], William Skeffington [aged 55] and Thomas West 8th Baron De La Warr 5th Baron West [aged 63] attended.
William Carey [aged 20] jousted.
William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 50] organised.
Jane Parker Viscountess Rochford [aged 15] attended.
Thomas Brooke 8th Baron Cobham [aged 50], Robert Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 10th Baron Latimer [aged 48], Anthony Wingfield [aged 33], William Scott [aged 61], Thomas Wriothesley [aged 32], Bishop Thomas Ruthall [aged 48], Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 20] and Edward Chamberlayne [aged 36] were present.
After June 1520 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 50] was created 1st Baron Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire for having organised the Field of the Cloth of Gold.
In 1526 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 56] was appointed Lord Chamberlain of the Household to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 34].
In 1527 [his son-in-law] Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford Heytesbury [aged 24] and [his daughter] Alice Sandys [aged 40] were married.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1528. 1st July 1528. R. O. 4450. Sir William Sandys [aged 58] to Wolsey.
Does not presume to visit the King or Wolsey, as he has had the sweat in his house. Desires to have some of the offices of the late Sir William Compton [deceased]. He was steward to Cicester, Malmesbury, and many other religious places. Desires Wolsey would write letters to them, willing them to give the said stewardships to Sandys. At the Vyne, 1 July.
P.S.—Begs some of the offices for his poor brother, who has much chargeable business. Sends a schedule of the vacant places.
On 22nd August 1529 [his half-sister] Edith Sandys Baroness died.
On 20th February 1532 [his daughter] Alice Sandys [aged 45] died.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1532. Grants in Sep 1532.
1. Anne Rocheford (Anne Boleyn [aged 31]), one of the daughters of Thomas earl of Wiltshire and Ormond [aged 55], keeper of the Privy Seal. Charter, granting her, in tail male, the title of marchioness of Pembroke. Witnesses not given [1 Sept.].— S.B. Pat. 24 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 26.
(2.) Two drafts of the preceding in R. O. in Wriothesley's hand, with witnesses as in the next charter.
2. Anne Rocheford, who was created marchioness of Pembroke on the 1st Sept. inst. Charter granting her and her heirs the prerogative and pre-eminence due to her title of marchioness in the realms of England and France. Witnesses: Edward archbp. of York; Stephen bp. of Winchester, the King's secretary; John bp. of London; Thomas duke of Norfolk [aged 59], treasurer of England; Charles duke of Suffolk [aged 48], steward marshal; Thomas earl of Wiltshire, keeper of the Privy Seal; John earl of Oxford [aged 61], the King's chamberlain; George earl of Shrewsbury [aged 64], steward of the King's household; Thomas Audeley [aged 44], knt., keeper of the Great Seal; William lord Sandys of Vynes [aged 62], chamberlain of the King's household; Walter Devereux lord Ferrers; William Fitzwilliam, treasurer of the King's household, and William Powlet, comptroller of the same, knts., and others. Windsor, 1 Sept. 24 Hen. VIII. — S.B. Pat. p. 1, m. 26.
(2.) Draft of the preceding in Wriothesley's hand in R. O.
3. Anne Rocheford, one of the daughters and heirs of Thomas earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, keeper of the Privy Seal, created marchioness of Pembroke by charter 1 Sept. 24 Hen. VIII. Annuity of £1,000. for life out of the issues of the honor, manor, or lordship of Hunnesdon, Herts, and of the manors of Stansted Abbot, Roydon, Bourehouse, Pisso, Filolls, and Coxhall, Herts and Essex; and of all Crown lands in co. Pembroke, and in Gilgarran, Emlyn, Diffrynbryan, Maynardove, Kenendrym, Llanstephan, Penryn, Oyesterlowe, Traynclynton, Westhaverforde, Llewelleston, Roche, Sayntismells, and Camrosse, S. Wales.— S B. (undated.) Pat. 24 Hen. VIII. p. 1, m. 25 (undated).
(2.) Fair copy of the preceding in R. O. Large paper, pp. 2.
Register of the Order of the Garter Volume 1. In the twenty eighth Year of the most noble King Henry the Eighth, and on the twenty third of April [23rd April 1536], a Day dedicated to their Patron St. George, a choice Number of Knights Companions came to Grenewych [Map] to keep that Festival there as usual with the Sovereign. There were two Dukes, six Earls, one Lord, one Knight, viz. the Dukes of Rychmond [aged 16] and Northfolk [aged 63], the Earls of Northumberland [aged 34], [his nephew] Westmerland [aged 38], Wyltschire [aged 59], Suffex, Rutland [aged 44] and Oxford [aged 65], Lord Sandys [aged 66], and Sir William Fytzwylliams [aged 46]; who after the due Celebration of the first Vespers of the Eve, with the Mattins of the following Day, and the solemn Sacrifice [of the Mass] did at the next Vespers, before they entered the Choir, turn off to the King's Chappel to hold there the usual Chapter. When the Sovereign demanding whether any Body present knew of any weighty Matter which might be then determined, and no Body offered any Thing of that kind, be then added, that at least two Things should be treated of, one of which happened every Year, viz. to determine the Time when the Feast of that Saint should be kept as Order required at Wyndesor, and the Persons to be assigned for it, and the other, to substitute a new One in Stead of the deceased Knight. Whereupon it was Enacted, That the Feaft should be kept at Wyndesor the twenty first of May following, and that the Earl of Northumberland should then Supply the Sovereign's Place, having for his Colleges the Earls of Rutland and Oxford, with Sir William Fytzwylliams. The Earl of Westmerland too was admonished to be one present, unless he could plead such urgent Affairs of Business as might justly excuse him. It was also ordered, That at the Time of the Vespers then coming on, the Register should take the Votes of the Knights present, for the Election of a news one; which, taking from them on one Side and the other, and back again, as the Variety of the Knights sitting required, he carefully performed, as this following Description will shew. For they named [see images below]
Nicholas Carew of Beddington in Surrey [aged 40] 10 votes.
George Boleyn Viscount Rochford [aged 33] 5 votes
This Set of Names being taken, the Register brought to the Sovereign, delivering it to him with all becoming Reverence, and he having perused it, put it in his Bosom. The next Day when they were to go to the mournful Sacrifice, which was to be offered for the Souls of the deceased Knights, they turned off to the same Chappel, where the Sovereign pulling out the said Paper declared that Persons were contained in it, who were indeed most exceeding worthy of their present Choice, but at that Time he thought good that Sir Nicholas Carew should be preserved in the Election, as well because the largest Number of Votes fell upon him, as because he was to be deemed highly fitting, by Reason of the Glory of his Family and Reputation, as of his many excellent and glorious Exploits. To which Declaration every of them them present assented with Applause. Being therefore called in by Garter, and introduced between two of the Noblemen then present, be fell down in a most humble Manner before the Sovereign, returning infinite Thanks to him, and the whole Presence, for that they had deigned to admit him, uwworthy as be thought himself, into the Honour of the most illustrious Order, and now that he was chose before others much worthier than himself, it was not at all to be ascribed to himself, to his Merits, or to any Actions of his, but was by him to be always acknowledged, as only owing to the King's excellent Goodness, and the good Will of the others who were present towards him; and when he had harangued further to the same Purpose, he was ordered by the Sovereign to be ensigned with such Badges as were proper at that Time and Place, being to complete every Thing else at Wyndesor.
On 15th May 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn [aged 35] tried at the King's Hall in the Tower of London [Map].
Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 63] was appointed Lord High Steward and presided. Henry Howard Earl of Surrey [aged 20] attended. Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu [aged 44] was one of the judges. Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester [aged 34] was the principal witness.
The jurors were:
Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 52].
Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 24].
Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 21].
George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 49].
Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 44].
John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt [aged 56].
[his nephew] Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 38].
Henry Parker 11th Baron Marshal 10th Baron Morley [aged 55].
Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby [aged 27].
Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 28].
John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 65].
Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth [aged 35].
Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester [aged 40].
Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland.
Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh [aged 48].
Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 40].
William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel [aged 60].
Henry Fitzalan 12th or 19th Earl of Arundel [aged 24].
Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden [aged 48].
Edward Powers Lord Powers.
William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 66].
Thomas Ware.
Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor [aged 69].
George Brooke 9th Baron Cobham [aged 39].
She was found guilty and sentenced to be beheaded. John Spelman [aged 56] signed the death warrant.
After Anne's trial her brother George Boleyn Viscount Rochford [aged 33] was also tried and found guilty.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1540. 18 April [1540]. 541. Cromwell, Earl of Essex [aged 55]. Hart. MS. 6,074, f. 57b. B. M. Account of the creation of Thos. lord Cromwell, as earl of Essex, at Westminster, 18 April 31 Hen. VIII., the patent of creation being read by Secretary Wriothesley. Immediately afterwards a patent sealed with yellow wax was presented by lord Sandes [aged 70], Chamberlain, and read by Secretary Sadler [aged 33], by which he was created High Chamberlain of England. The King then went to the Queen's chamber to dinner, and the dukes and earls to the Council chamber to dinner, when Mr. Garter proclaimed his style, viz., earl of Essex, Vice-gerent and High Chamberlain of England, Keeper of the Privy Seal, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Justice of the Forests beyond Trent.
The officers of arms had of the King 5 mks. and of the said Earl 10l., and his gown, &c., to Garter. At the same time the two secretaries, Wriothesley and Sadler, were made knights; and paid their fees, 20s. apiece.
Parchment, pp. 2.
On 4th December 1540 William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 70] died at Calais [Map]. His son Thomas [aged 44] succeeded 2nd Baron Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire. Elizabeth Manners Baroness Sandys Vyne by marriage Baroness Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire.
[his daughter] Mary Sandys was born to William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne and Margret Bray. She married William Pelham and had issue.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Sandes
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Sandes
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Sandes of East Cholderton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Sandes
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Bridges
GrandFather: Thomas Sandes
Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Warrener
Father: William Sandes
William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cheney
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Cheney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Shurland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Cheney
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cheney
GrandFather: John Cheney
Mother: Margaret Cheney