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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Hospital of St Cross, Winchester is in Parish of St Faith, Winchester [Map].
Exterior of the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester [Map].
Letters of John Chamberlain 1.58. [17th January 1603] Dr. Bennett8 deane of Windsore is preferred to the bishopricke of Hereford: there is much canvassing for his Deanry, and mastership of St. Crosse9 which George Brooke (age 34)10 wold faine ingrosse.
Note 8. Robert Bennet.
Note 9. The hospital of St. Cross, near Winchester [Map].
Note 10. Brother of Henry, eighth [11th] Lord Cobham.
On 25th March 1920 Bishop Edgar Jacob (age 75) died at the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester [Map]. Memorial at the Cathedral Church St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne [Map].
The River Itchen rises at New Cheriton, Hampshire [Map] from where it flows past Tichbourne, Hampshire [Map], Ovington, Hampshire [Map], Itchen [Map], Easton, Hampshire [Map], through Winchester, Hampshire [Map], past Hospital of St Cross, Winchester [Map], Twyford, Hampshire [Map], Bishopstoke, Hampshire [Map], under Mansbridge [Map], Cobden [Map] and Northam [Map] bridges before passing east Southampton, Hampshire [Map] and joining the Solent.
