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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
St Withburga's Church, Holkham is in Holkham, Norfolk, Churches in Norfolk.
Around 1250. St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. The tower circa 13th Century. The rest of the church extensively rebuilt in 1767. It is now located in the grounds of Holkham Hall, Norfolk. It was built on a mound which may pre-date the church and may represent high ground near to the coast which is now further from the church as a consequence of land reclamation. The church is uniquely dedicated to Saint Wihtburh Wuffingas.
After 1636 . St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. Monument to members of the Wheatley family including Anthony Wheatley and Meriall Wheatley, and their daughter Meriall Wheatley, and her husband John Coke [aged 45]. Left John Coke and Meriall Wheatley. Middle Anthony Wheatley and Anne Armiger. Right William Wheatley and Martha Skinner.
Probably sculpted by Robert Pook who was an assistant to Nicholas Stone [aged 49].
On 10th February 1639 Susan Doyly [aged 5] died aged five. Grave slab at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
Susan Doyly: Around 1634 he was born to Edmund Doyly and Bridget Coke.
On 10th May 1639 Miles Armiger died unmarried. Monument at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. Probably sculpted by Robert Pook who was an assistant to Nicholas Stone [aged 52].
Miles Armiger: he was born to William Armiger of North Creeke.
On 1st August 1671 John Coke [aged 35] died. Grave slab at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
John Coke: On or before 8th September 1635 he was born to John Coke and Meriall Wheatley. He was baptised on 8th September 1835. Around 1664 Andrew Fountaine became acquainted with John Coke who he apparently saved from drowning. The pair subsequently travelled to the Continent together. Thereafter Andrew Fountaine became steward to John Coke and is reported to have extracted large sums of money from the estate. In 1694 Andrew Fountaine reached a final settlement with the Coke family over the leases given to him by John Coke; all leases and income to be surrendered by Andrew Fountaine in exchange for £10,000. A year later Andrew Fountaine purchased Narford Hall.
On 15th September 1794 Thomas Anson 1st Viscount Anson [aged 27] and Anne Margaret Coke Viscountess Anson [aged 15] were married at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. She the daughter of Thomas Coke 1st Earl of Leicester [aged 40] and Jane Dutton [aged 40].
After 23rd March 1821. St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. Grave slab to Anne Dutton [deceased].
Anne Dutton: Samuel Blackwell and she were married. Around 1743 she was born to James Lenox Dutton and Jane Bond. On 23rd March 1821 Anne Dutton died at Holkham Hall, Norfolk.
On 21st April 1870 Juliana Whitbread Countess Leicester [aged 44] died. Memorial at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map] sculpted by Joseph Boehm [aged 35].
Juliana Whitbread Countess Leicester: On 3rd June 1825 she was born to Samuel Charles Whitbread and Julia Brand. On 20th April 1843 Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester and she were married. She by marriage Countess of Leicester. He the son of Thomas Coke 1st Earl of Leicester and Anne Amelia Keppel Countess Leicester. They were half fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 5th November 1878 Thomas Francis Anson 3rd Earl Lichfield [aged 22] and Mildred Coke Countess Lichfield [aged 24] were married at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. She the daughter of Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 55] and Juliana Whitbread Countess Leicester. He the son of Thomas George Anson 2nd Earl Lichfield [aged 53] and Harriet Georgiana Louisa Hamilton Countess Lichfield [aged 44]. They were half first cousin twice removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 24th January 1909 Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 86] died. His son Thomas [aged 60] succeeded 3rd Earl of Leicester. Alice Emily White Countess Leicester [aged 53] by marriage Countess of Leicester. St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
Thomas William Coke 3rd Earl of Leicester: Before 09 Jul 1880 Thomas William Coke 3rd Earl of Leicester and Alice Emily White Countess Leicester were married. He the son of Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester and Juliana Whitbread Countess Leicester. On 20th July 1848 he was born to Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester and Juliana Whitbread Countess Leicester. On 19th November 1941 Thomas William Coke 3rd Earl of Leicester died. His son Thomas succeeded 4th Earl of Leicester.
Alice Emily White Countess Leicester: On 29th September 1855 she was born to Luke White 2nd Baron Annaly.
1914. Memorial to WW1 and WW2 at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
On 21st May 1915 Lieutenant Arthur George Coke [aged 33] was killed in action at Sedel Bahr, Gallipoli, whilst serving with the Royal Naval Air Service. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial at Gallipoli. Memorial at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
Lieutenant Arthur George Coke: On 6th April 1882 he was born to Thomas William Coke 3rd Earl of Leicester and Alice Emily White Countess Leicester.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 24th April 1936 Alice Emily White Countess Leicester [aged 80] died. Memorial at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
In 1937 Georgina Caroline Cavendish Countess Leicester [aged 85] died. Memorial at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
Georgina Caroline Cavendish Countess Leicester: In 1852 she was born to William George Cavendish 2nd Baron Chesham and Henrietta Frances Lascelles Baroness Chesham. On 26th August 1875 Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester and she were married. She by marriage Countess of Leicester. The difference in their ages was 29 years. He the son of Thomas Coke 1st Earl of Leicester and Anne Amelia Keppel Countess Leicester.
On 9th December 1941 David Arthur Coke [aged 26] was killed in action by enemy Bf 109s in Acroma, Libya. He was buried at the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma. Memorial at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
On 21st April 1956 Colin Tennant 3rd Baron Glenconner [aged 29] and Anne Veronica Coke Baroness Glenconner [aged 23] were married at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map]. Bishop Percy Herbert [aged 70] presided. The guests included Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon Queen Consort England [aged 55] and Princess Margaret [aged 25]. Princess Margaret's future husband Antony Armstrong-Jones 1st Earl of Snowdon [aged 26] took the photographs. She the daughter of Major Thomas William Edward Coke 5th Earl of Leicester [aged 47] and Elizabeth Mary Yorke Countess of Leicester [aged 44].
On 25th April 2015 Edward Douglas Coke 7th Earl of Leicester [aged 78] died. His son Thomas [aged 49] succeeded 8th Earl of Leicester. He was buried at St Withburga's Church, Holkham [Map].
Edward Douglas Coke 7th Earl of Leicester: On 6th May 1936 he was born to Anthony Louis Lovel Coke 6th Earl of Leicester. On 19th June 1994 Anthony Louis Lovel Coke 6th Earl of Leicester died. His son Edward succeeded 7th Earl of Leicester.
Thomas Coke 8th Earl of Leicester: On 6th July 1965 he was born to Edward Douglas Coke 7th Earl of Leicester.