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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Earl York is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
22nd August 1138. William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York [aged 37] created.
20th August 1179. Hawise Blois 2nd Countess Albemarle and Essex extinct.
After 22nd August 1138 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York [aged 37] was created 1st Earl York for his role at the Battle of the Standard; see Chronicle of John Prior of Hexham.
Around 1158 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York [aged 57] and Cecily Skipton Countess Aumale and York [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Albemarle, Countess York. The difference in their ages was 37 years. He the son of Stephen Blois Count Aumale and Hawise Mortimer Countess Aumale.
On 20th August 1179 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York [aged 78] died. His daughter Hawise succeeded 2nd Countess Albemarle. Earl York extinct. The succession of the Earldom of York is somewhat unclear; it may have been created for life only, or for male succession only.