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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Barnstaple, Devon is in Devon.
In October 1553 Robert Carey (age 38) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1559 John Chichester was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1563 Arthur Bassett (age 22) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1571 Peter Wentworth (age 42) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1584 John Peryan of Exeter (age 43) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1661 John Chichester 1st Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1667.
In 1689 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1690.
John Evelyn's Diary. 12th October 1690. The French General, with Tyrconnel (age 60) and their forces, gone back to France, beaten out by King William. Cork [Map] delivered on discretion. The Duke of Grafton (deceased) was there mortally wounded and dies. Very great storms of wind. The 8th of this month Lord Spencer (age 49) wrote me word from Althorpe [Map], that there happened an earthquake the day before in the morning, which, though short, sensibly shook the house. The "Gazette" acquainted us that the like happened at the same time, half-past seven, at Barnstaple, Devon, Holyhead, Anglesey, and Dublin [Map]. We were not sensible of it here.
In 1713 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 53) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1718.
In 1734 John Chichester 4th Baronet (age 45) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1740.
In 1740 John Francis Bassett (age 26) was elected MP Barnstaple.
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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On 16th September 1791 Anne Palk Lady Wrey (deceased) was buried at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map]. Sacred to the Memory of ANNE The Lady of Sir BOURCHIER WREY (age 34) Baronet, and Daughter of Sir ROBERT PALK (age 73) Baronet, of Haldon House in this County who died the 5th day of September 1791, Aged 27 Years, leaving three infant children. Her Heart was pure and her manners unaffected. Her constant study was to know her Duty, and her greatest pleasure to discharge it, An affectionate Wife, a tender Parent, gentle, friendly, and benevolent. Taken from the World in the Prime of Years by a severe and lingering illness. She submitted to the will of Heaven with patient Resignation. Learn from her example that Virtue Is the loveliest ornament of Beauty!
Sculpted by W Youngs, Barum.
Anne Palk Lady Wrey: Around 1764 she was born to Robert Palk 1st Baronet and Anne van Sittart Lady Palk at Madras aka Chennai, India. On 14th March 1786 Bourchier Wrey 7th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Wrey of Trebitch in Cornwall. On 5th September 1791 Anne Palk Lady Wrey died.
Barnstaple Priory is also in Priories in England.
Letters and Papers. 22 April. R. O. 708. Lord Lisle to Hussey.
I have written to Master Wyndsor to send over my rent by my brother Aylmer, or, if he will not come, to deliver it to you, as you will see by his letter enclosed. Calais, 22 April.
Has also written to Mr. Page to request the King not to let young Whetyll have any room in Calais while Lisle is there; and Lisle will hereafter appoint no spear without sending him over immediately to the King, to be replaced by another if his Grace like him not. I hope you have received my last with the copy of Mr. Palmer's letter, which I trust will pacify the King. States that he has appointed no more spears than in his Letter No. 707, of which the third was given to Wynybank. Sends a bill for receipt of £60 of Sir Edward Seymour, of which £16 are to be paid to Mr. Wyllson, the parson of St. Martin's. The rest is for the King. Is to ask Mr. Norrys to move the King to give Lisle the Priory of Maudylis of Barstabyll [Map], paying the King £20 for a New Year's gift. Thinks it will not be long out of the King's hands.
Pp. 2. Add.: To my friend John Husse, at the sign of the Red Lion, in Southwark. Endd.: The copy of John Husse letter and Sir Richard Page, knight, the 22d day of April.
On 26th October 1408 John Blount (age 31) and Alice Bere were married at Bratton Fleming Barnstaple, Devon.
John Evelyn's Diary. 16th May 1684. I received £600 of Sr Charles Bickerstaff for the fee-farm of Pilton in Devon.
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton is also in Churches in Devon.
On 24th April 1627 Robert Chichester (age 49) died. He was buried in Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton [Map].
In 1815 John Lethbridge 1st Baronet (age 69) died. His son Thomas (age 36) succeeded 2nd Baronet Lethbridge of Westaway House in Devon and Winkley Court in Somerset. He was buried at Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton [Map] where there is a ledger stone inscribed as follows:
Here lyeth ye body of Phillip Bowchier, Gent., buried ye 3d day of Agust 1687 aged 64 years. Here also layeth the body of Agnes late wife of Phillip Bowchier, Gent., who departed this life ye 25th day of Nobr 1698 aged 66. Here lyes also buryed the body of Thomas Lethbridge, Gent., son of Thomas Lethbridge of Clement's Inne, Gent., a younger son of Christopher Lethbridge of Westaway, Esq., by Margaret his wife daughter of the above named Philip Bowchier. Obt 10th Augst 1744 aetatis 20"