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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Ludlow Castle is in Ludlow, Shropshire [Map], Castles in Shropshire.
Ludlow Castle [Map] from the south of Ludlow, across the River Teme.
Before 1106 Roger de Lacy undertook building works at Ludlow Castle [Map].
After 1106 Roger de Lacy died. His kinswoman Sybil de Lacy inherited Ludlow Castle [Map].
Around 1115 Payn Fitzjohn [aged 29] and Sybil de Lacy were married. Through her marriage, Sybil transferred lands in several shires to her husband, including lands around Ludlow Castle [Map].
In 1139 Josce de Dinan and Sybil de Lacy were married by which he gained control of Ludlow Castle [Map]. The marriage arranged by King Stephen I England [aged 45].
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 13. From Wenloch, we passed by the little cell of Brumfeld,180 the noble castle of Ludlow [Map], through Leominster [Map] to Hereford [Map] leaving on our right hand the districts of Melenyth and Elvel; thus (describing as it were a circle) we came to the same point from which we had commenced this laborious journey through Wales.
Note 180. It appears that a small college of prebendaries, or secular canons, resided at Bromfield in the reign of king Henry I.; Osbert, the prior, being recorded as a witness to a deed made before the year 1148. In 1155, they became Benedictines, and surrendered church and lands to the abbey of St. Peter's at Gloucester, whereupon a prior and monks were placed there, and continued till the dissolution. An ancient gateway and some remains of the priory still testify the existence of this religious house, the local situation of which, near the confluence of the rivers Oney and Teme, has been accurately described by Leland.
Around 1207 Philip de Albini was appointed Governor of Ludlow Castle.
On 21st October 1314 Geoffrey Geneville 1st Baron Geneville [aged 88] died at Trim, County Meath. He was buried at Black Friary, Trim, County Meath. His granddaughter Joan [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Baroness Geneville. She and her husband Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March [aged 27] inherited the vast legacy of the de Lacy dynasty, including Ludlow Castle [Map].
On 11th November 1328 Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March was born to Edmund Mortimer [aged 25] and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 15] at Ludlow Castle [Map]. He married before 1352 Philippa Montagu Countess March, daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury, and had issue.
On 10th December 1376 Edmund Mortimer was born to Edmund Mortimer 3rd Earl March, Earl of Ulster [aged 24] and Philippa Plantagenet Countess March 2nd Countess Ulster [aged 21] at Ludlow Castle [Map]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married 30th November 1402 his fourth cousin once removed Catrin Mathrafal, daughter of Owain ap Gruffudd "Glyndŵr" Mathrafal Prince Powys and Margaret Hamner, and had issue.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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In 1402 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 24] was appointed Captain Ludlow Castle.
On 2nd April 1502 Prince Arthur Tudor [aged 15] died at Ludlow Castle [Map]. Earl Chester extinct. The cause of death unknown other than being reported as "a malign vapour which proceeded from the air". Catherine of Aragon [aged 16] had recovered.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 2nd April 1502. And in Easter weeke followinge the saide Prince Arthure [aged 15] deceased at Ludlowe [Map], in Wales, and was buried at Worcester [Map].b
Note b. Prince Arthur died on the Saturday following Easter Sunday in 1503, being April 2nd, and was buried in Worcester cathedral on the 27th April.
On 14th October 1559 John Williams 1st Baron Williams [aged 59] died at Ludlow Castle [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Thame. Isabel Williams [aged 37] inherited Thame, Oxfordshire. His son Francis succeeded 2nd Baron Williams of Thame although he died four months later at which time the Barony became extinct. Some sources don't mention Francis William 2nd Baron Thame regarding the Barony as extinct following the death of John Williams 1st Baron Williams.
On 22nd February 1574 Ambrosia Sidney [aged 9] died at Ludlow Castle [Map] where her father Henry Sidney [aged 45] was President of the Council of the Marches in Wales.
Around 1755 Samuel Scott [aged 53]. Ludlow Castle [Map] with Dinham Weir, from the South-West
Around 1855. Benjamin Brecknell Turner [aged 40]. Ludlow Castle [Map].
Around 1855. Benjamin Brecknell Turner [aged 40]. Ludlow Castle [Map].
18th July 1907. Godfrey Bingley [aged 65]. Ludlow Castle [Map].
1908. Susan Isabel Dacre [aged 64]. "Ludlow Castle [Map]".