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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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Wem, Shropshire is in Shropshire.
Around 1289 Isabel Boteler was born to William Boteler 1st Baron Wem and Oversley (age 14) and Beatrice Unknown at Wem, Shropshire.
In or before 1309 Ankaret Boteler Baroness Strange Blackmere was born to William Boteler 1st Baron Wem and Oversley (age 34) and Ela Herdeburgh Baroness Wem and Oversley at Wem, Shropshire. She married before 1320 her fifth cousin John Strange 2nd Baron Strange Blackmere, son of Fulk Strange 1st Baron Strange Blackmere and Eleanor Giffard Baroness Strange Blackmere, and had issue.
On 14th September 1335 William Boteler 1st Baron Wem and Oversley (age 61) died at Wem, Shropshire. His son William (age 39) succeeded 2nd Baron Wem and Oversley. Margaret Fitzalan Baroness Wem and Oversley (age 47) by marriage Baroness Wem and Oversley.
In 1340 Alice Boteler was born to William Boteler 3rd Baron Wem and Oversley (age 30) at Wem, Shropshire.
In 1345 Elizabeth Boteler Baroness Ferrers Wem was born to William Boteler 3rd Baron Wem and Oversley (age 35) at Wem, Shropshire. She married (1) her fifth cousin once removed John Saye, son of Geoffrey Saye 2nd Baron Say and Maud Beauchamp Baroness Say, and had issue (2) before 1373 her fourth cousin once removed Robert Ferrers Baron Wem and Oversley, son of Robert Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley and Joan Mote Baroness Ferrers Chartley, and had issue.
In 1375 Alice Boteler (age 35) died at Wem, Shropshire. Her sister Elizabeth (age 30) abeyance terminated 4th Baroness Wem and Oversley. Robert Ferrers Baron Wem and Oversley (age 34) by marriage Baron Wem and Oversley. Some sources suggest her husband was created Baron Ferrers of Wem and Oversley in this own right. Since his son Robert Ferrers (age 2) didn't succeed to a title when his father died it appears Robert Ferrers was summoned to Parliament in right of his wife ie jure uxoris, rather than being created a Baron in his won right.
Around 1385 John Boteler 5th Baron Sudeley was born to Thomas Boteler 4th Baron Sudeley (age 26) and Alice Beauchamp Baroness Sudeley (age 19) at Wem, Shropshire.
In 1389 Ralph Boteler 6th and 1st Baron Sudeley was born to Thomas Boteler 4th Baron Sudeley (age 30) and Alice Beauchamp Baroness Sudeley (age 23) at Wem, Shropshire. He married (1) 1418 Elizabeth Norbury Baroness Sudeley and had issue (2) 1463 his fifth cousin once removed Alice Deincourt 6th Baroness Deincourt and Grey, Baroness Lovel and Sudeley, daughter of John Deincourt 5th Baron Deincourt and Joan Grey 5th Baroness Grey.
On 10th August 1643 Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle (age 57) reached Nantwich, Cheshire [Map] where he was joined by William Brereton 1st Baronet (age 38). The proceeded on 4th September 1643 to Market Drayton, Shropshire, Wem, Shropshire on 11th September 1643, which they seized, garrisoned and made their Shropshire headquarters.
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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On 24th June 1724 John Astley was born at Wem, Shropshire. He married (1) 7th December 1759 Penelope Vernon (2) 1777 Mary Wagstaffe.