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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Earl Suffolk is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically.
There have been three creations of Earl Suffolk:
1st. January 1337. Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk. Extinct. 15th February 1382.
2nd. 1385. Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk. Forfeit. 30th April 1513. Execution of Edmund de la Pole.
3rd. 1603. Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk. Extant.
Earl Suffolk is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
January 1337. Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 38] created. See 1337 Creation of Earls.
4th November 1369. Son William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 31] succeeded.
15th February 1382. William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk extinct.
In January 1337 King Edward III of England [aged 24] created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France...
William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 36] was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury [aged 33] by marriage Countess Salisbury.
William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 27] was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 24] by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester [aged 46] was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford [aged 19] having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford [aged 35].
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 38] was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk [aged 51] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 4th November 1369 Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 71] died. His son William [aged 31] succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk, 3rd Baron Ufford. Joan Montagu Countess Suffolk [aged 20] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 12th June 1376 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 38] and Isabella Beauchamp Countess Suffolk were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. She the daughter of Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick and Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick. He the son of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk.
On 15th February 1382 William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 43] died at Westminster Hall [Map]. Earl Suffolk, Baron Ufford extinct.
Around 1418 Thomas Ughtred 3rd Baron Ughtred [aged 34] died. His son Robert [aged 11] succeeded 4th Baron Ughtred. Joan Aske Countess Suffolk [aged 1] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
Earl Suffolk is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Forfeit Earldoms of England.
Summary
1385. Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 55] created.
5th September 1389. Son Michael de la Pole 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 28] succeeded.
17th September 1415. Son Michael de la Pole 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 21] succeeded. See Siege of Harfleur.
25th October 1415. Brother William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 19] succeeded. See Battle of Agincourt.
1st May 1450. Son John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk [aged 7] succeeded. See Murder of William de la Pole.
27th October 1492. Son Edmund Pole 3rd Duke of Suffolk [aged 21] succeeded.
30th April 1513. Edmund Pole 3rd Duke of Suffolk forfeit. See Execution of Edmund de la Pole.
In 1385 Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 55] was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Katherine Wingfield Countess Suffolk [aged 45] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 5th September 1389 Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 59] died in Paris [Map]. His son Michael [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk, 2nd Baron Pole.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Before 1394 Michael de la Pole 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 32] and Katherine Stafford Countess Suffolk [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. She the daughter of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 59]. He the son of Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk and Katherine Wingfield Countess Suffolk.
On 17th September 1415 Michael de la Pole 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 54] died of dysentery. His son Michael [aged 21] succeeded 3rd Earl Suffolk, 3rd Baron Pole. Elizabeth Mowbray Countess Suffolk [aged 21] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 25th October 1415 King Henry V of England [aged 29] defeated a French army at the Battle of Agincourt.
The battle is described by three Chroniclers who were present:
Jean de Waurin: "1, the author of this work, know the truth of the matter, for in that assembly I was among the French".
Jean le Fevre de St Remy: "I who write this, seated on a horse among the baggage at the rear of the battle, along with the other priests who were present".
The anonymous author of the Gesta Henrici Quinti i.e. Deeds of Henry V: "while I was on the other side with the English".
Thomas Camoys 1st Baron Camoys [aged 64] commanded the Rearguard. Richard de Vere 11th Earl of Oxford [aged 30] commanded. Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 25] was wounded, and was protected by his brother King Henry V of England.
Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle [aged 42], commander of the Vanguard, was killed; the most senior English casualty. Duke Albemarle, Earl of Rutland and Earl Cork extinct. His nephew Richard [aged 4] succeeded 3rd Duke York and inherited his estates including Conisbrough Castle [Map].
John Fortescue [aged 35], Dafydd Gam Brecon [aged 35] and Edward Burnell [aged 44] and Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine [aged 38] were killed.
Michael de la Pole 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 21] was killed. His brother William [aged 19] succeeded 4th Earl Suffolk, 4th Baron Pole.
On 11th November 1430 William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 34] and Alice Chaucer Duchess Suffolk [aged 26] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. He the son of Michael de la Pole 2nd Earl Suffolk and Katherine Stafford Countess Suffolk. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England.
On 1st May 1450 William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 53] was beheaded at sea whilst travelling into exile his ship having been intercepted by the Nicholas of the Tower, or by Admiral Nicholas of the Tower. His son John [aged 7] succeeded 2nd Marquess Suffolk, 5th Earl Suffolk, 5th Baron Pole. Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond [aged 6] by marriage Marchioness Suffolk. Earl Pembroke forfeit.
Before 27th October 1492 John de la Pole 2nd Duke of Suffolk [aged 50] died. He was buried at Wingfield, Suffolk. His son Edmund [aged 21] succeeded 3rd Duke Suffolk, 3rd Marquess Suffolk, 6th Earl Suffolk, 6th Baron Pole.
On 30th April 1513 Edmund Pole 3rd Duke of Suffolk [aged 42] was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map] on the instruction of King Henry VIII after having been imprisoned for seven years. Duke Suffolk, Marquess Suffolk and Earl Suffolk, Baron Pole forfeit.
He, Edmund, was the son of Elizabeth York Duchess Suffolk, sister of Kings Edward IV and Richard III, and George, Duke of Clarence. He, arguably, had a better claim to the throne of England than King Henry VII if King Edward IV's children were illegitimate, and George's children barred from the succession as a consequence of George'a attainder although Anne St Leger's [aged 37] claim better since she descended from an older sister Anne.
He, Edmund, had been given to King Henry VII of England and Ireland as part of the treaty of Malus Intercursus aka Evil Treaty with the condition that he not be executed. King Henry VII in his will instructed his son King Henry VIII to have him executed; an act which attracted the criticism of Montaigne in Chapter 7 of his Essays.
Earl Suffolk is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
1603. Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 41] created.
28th May 1626. Son Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 43] succeeded.
3rd June 1640. Son James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 21] succeeded.
7th January 1689. Brother George Howard 4th Earl Suffolk [aged 63] succeeded.
21st April 1691. Brother Henry Howard 5th Earl Suffolk [aged 63] succeeded.
10th December 1709. Son Henry Howard 6th Earl Suffolk [aged 39] succeeded.
19th September 1718. Son Charles William Howard 7th Earl Suffolk [aged 25] succeeded.
8th May 1722. Uncle Edward Howard 8th Earl Suffolk [aged 50] succeeded.
22nd June 1731. Brother Charles Howard 9th Earl Suffolk [aged 56] succeeded.
28th September 1733. Son Henry Howard 10th Earl Suffolk [aged 26] succeeded.
22nd April 1745. Third Cousin Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk [aged 59] succeeded.
21st March 1757. Grandson Henry Howard 12th Earl Suffolk 5th Earl Berkshire [aged 17] succeeded.
7th March 1779. Son Henry Howard 13th Earl Suffolk 6th Earl Berkshire succeeded.
10th August 1779. Great Uncle Thomas Howard 14th Earl Suffolk 7th Earl Berkshire [aged 58] succeeded.
23rd February 1783. Son John Howard 15th Earl Suffolk 8th Earl Berkshire [aged 43] succeeded.
23rd January 1820. Fourth Cousin Thomas Howard 16th Earl Suffolk 9th Earl Berkshire [aged 43] succeeded.
4th December 1851. Son Charles Howard 17th Earl Suffolk 10th Earl Berkshire [aged 46] succeeded.
14th August 1876. Son Henry Charles Howard 18th Earl Suffolk 11th Earl Berkshire [aged 42] succeeded.
31st March 1898. Son Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire [aged 20] succeeded.
21st April 1917. Son Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th Earl Berkshire [aged 11] succeeded. See Battle of Istabulat.
12th May 1941. Son Michael Howard 21st Earl of Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire [aged 6] succeeded.
5th August 2022. Son Alexander Howard 22nd Earl of Suffolk 15th Earl of Berkshire [aged 48] succeeded.
In 1603 Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 41] was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 39] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 28th May 1626 Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 64] died at Charing Cross [Map]. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Theophilus [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk. Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk [aged 27] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 3rd June 1640 Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 57] died at Suffolk House, Suffolk Street. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son James [aged 21] succeeded 3rd Earl Suffolk, 3rd Baron Howard de Walden.
On 1st December 1640 James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 21] and Susannah Rich Countess Suffolk [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. She the daughter of Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland [aged 50] and Isabel Cope Countess Holland. He the son of Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk and Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk. They were fifth cousins.
Around February 1650 James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 30] and Barbara Villiers Countess Suffolk [aged 27] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. He the son of Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk and Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk.
Before 8th May 1682 James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 63] and Anne Montagu Countess Suffolk [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. The difference in their ages was 47 years. She the daughter of Robert Montagu 3rd Earl Manchester [aged 48] and Anne Yelverton Countess Manchester [aged 52]. He the son of Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk and Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 7th January 1689 James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 69] died at Great Chesterford. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. Baron Howard de Walden abeyant. His brother George [aged 63] succeeded 4th Earl Suffolk. Anne "Mary" Wroth Countess Suffolk by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 21st April 1691 George Howard 4th Earl Suffolk [aged 65] died. His brother Henry [aged 63] succeeded 5th Earl Suffolk. Mary Upton Countess Suffolk [aged 41] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 10th December 1709 Henry Howard 5th Earl Suffolk [aged 82] died. His son Henry [aged 39] succeeded 6th Earl Suffolk. Henrietta Somerset Countess Suffolk [aged 40] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 19th September 1718 Henry Howard 6th Earl Suffolk [aged 48] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Charles [aged 25] succeeded 7th Earl Suffolk.
On 8th May 1722 Charles William Howard 7th Earl Suffolk [aged 28] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His uncle Edward [aged 50] succeeded 8th Earl Suffolk.
On 22nd June 1731 Edward Howard 8th Earl Suffolk [aged 59] died. His brother Charles [aged 56] succeeded 9th Earl Suffolk. Henrietta Hobart Countess Suffolk [aged 42] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 28th September 1733 Charles Howard 9th Earl Suffolk [aged 58] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Henry [aged 26] succeeded 10th Earl Suffolk.
On 13th May 1735 Henry Howard 10th Earl Suffolk [aged 28] and Sarah Inwen Countess Suffolk were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk. He the son of Charles Howard 9th Earl Suffolk and Henrietta Hobart Countess Suffolk [aged 46].
On 22nd April 1745 Henry Howard 10th Earl Suffolk [aged 38] died. His third cousin Henry [aged 59] succeeded 11th Earl Suffolk.
On 21st March 1757 Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk [aged 71] died. He was buried at All Saints Church, Charlton-All-Saints [Map]. His grandson Henry [aged 17] succeeded 12th Earl Suffolk, 5th Earl Berkshire, 5th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 5th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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On 14th August 1777 Henry Howard 12th Earl Suffolk 5th Earl Berkshire [aged 38] and Charlotte Finch Countess Suffolk and Berkshire [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk, Countess Berkshire. She the daughter of Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Aylesford and Charlotte Seymour Countess Aylesford [aged 46]. They were first cousins.
On 7th March 1779 Henry Howard 12th Earl Suffolk 5th Earl Berkshire [aged 39] died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. He was buried at All Saints Church, Charlton-All-Saints [Map]. On 8th August 1779 his postumous son His son Henry succeeded 13th Earl Suffolk, 6th Earl Berkshire, 6th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 6th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire although he died two days later.
On 10th August 1779 Henry Howard 13th Earl Suffolk 6th Earl Berkshire, who had been born posthumously, died two days old. His great uncle Thomas [aged 58] succeeded 14th Earl Suffolk, 7th Earl Berkshire, 7th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 7th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.
On 23rd February 1783 Thomas Howard 14th Earl Suffolk 7th Earl Berkshire [aged 61] died. His son John [aged 43] succeeded 15th Earl Suffolk, 8th Earl Berkshire, 8th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 8th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.
On 23rd January 1820 John Howard 15th Earl Suffolk [aged 80] died. His son Thomas [aged 43] succeeded 16th Earl Suffolk, 9th Earl Berkshire, 9th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 9th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire. Elizabeth Jane Dutton Countess Suffolk and Berkshire [aged 45] by marriage Countess Suffolk, Countess Berkshire.
On 4th December 1851 Thomas Howard 16th Earl Suffolk 9th Earl Berkshire [aged 75] died. His son Charles [aged 46] succeeded 17th Earl Suffolk, 10th Earl Berkshire, 10th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 10th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire. Isabella Catherine Mary Howard-Molyneux-Howard Countess Suffolk and Berkshire [aged 45] by marriage Countess Suffolk, Countess Berkshire.
On 14th August 1876 Charles Howard 17th Earl Suffolk 10th Earl Berkshire [aged 70] died. His son Henry [aged 42] succeeded 18th Earl Suffolk, 11th Earl Berkshire, 11th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 11th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire. Mary Eleanor Coventry Countess Suffolk and Berkshire [aged 28] by marriage Countess Suffolk, Countess Berkshire.
On 31st March 1898 Henry Charles Howard 18th Earl Suffolk 11th Earl Berkshire [aged 64] died. His son Henry [aged 20] succeeded 19th Earl Suffolk, 12th Earl Berkshire, 12th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 12th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.
On 21st April 1917 Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire [aged 39] was killed in action when a piece of shrapnel entered his heart. His son Charles [aged 11] succeeded 20th Earl Suffolk, 13th Earl Berkshire.
In March 1934 Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th Earl Berkshire [aged 27] and Minnie "Mimi" Forde-Pigott Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire [aged 36] were married. She by marriage Countess Suffolk, Countess Berkshire. He the son of Henry Molyneux Paget Howard 19th Earl Suffolk 12th Earl Berkshire and Margaret Hyde "Daisy" Leiter [aged 55].
On 12th May 1941 Charles Howard 20th Earl of Suffolk, 13th Earl Berkshire [aged 35] was killed. He had successfully defused thirty-four bombs. The thirty-fifth exploded at Erith Marshes, Kent bomb cemetery. The 250kg bomb, dropped six months earlier, contained a Zus 40 booby trap that detonated when the Type 17 fuse was withdrawn. The explosion killed fourteen people: the Earl, his chauffeur Fred Hards, his secretary Eileen Beryl Morden (who died in the ambulance), and eleven other people who were nearby.
Michael Howard 21st Earl of Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire [aged 6] succeeded 21st Earl Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire, 13th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 13th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.
On 5th August 2022 Michael Howard 21st Earl of Suffolk, 14th Earl Berkshire [aged 87] died. His son Alexander [aged 48] succeeded 22nd Earl Suffolk, 15th Earl Berkshire, 14th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 14th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire.