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 of Rutland

Earl of Rutland is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically.

1415 Battle of Agincourt

1460 Battle of Wakefield

1525 Knighting of Henry Fitzroy

There have been three creations of Earl of Rutland:

1st. 25th February 1390. Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle. Extinct. 25th October 1415. Battle of Agincourt.

2nd. 1446. Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland. Extinct. 30th December 1460. Battle of Wakefield.

3rd. 18th June 1525. Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland. Extant.

Earl of Rutland 1st Creation 1390

Summary

25th February 1390. Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle [aged 17] created.

25th October 1415. Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle extinct. See Battle of Agincourt.

On 25th February 1390 Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle [aged 17] was created 1st Earl of Rutland. Beatrice Burgundy Countess Rutland and Cork [aged 17] by marriage Countess of Rutland.

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.

Earl of Rutland 2nd Creation 1446

Summary

1446. Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 2] created.

30th December 1460. John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford [aged 25] extinct. See Battle of Wakefield.

In 1446 Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 2] was created 1st Earl of Rutland by King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 24].

On 30th December 1460 the Lancastrian army took their revenge for the defeats of the First Battle of St Albans and the Battle of Northampton at the Battle of Wakefield near Sandal Castle [Map]. The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter [aged 30], Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 24] and Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland [aged 39], and included John Courtenay 7th or 15th Earl Devon [aged 25] and William Gascoigne XIII [aged 30], both knighted, and James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde [aged 40], John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford [aged 25], John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby [aged 50], Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 33], Henry Roos and Thomas St Leger [aged 20].

The Yorkist army was heavily defeated.

Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York [aged 49] was killed. His son Edward [aged 18] succeeded 4th Duke York, 7th Earl March, 9th Earl of Ulster, 3rd Earl Cambridge, 9th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.

Thomas Neville [aged 30], and Edward Bourchier were killed.

Father and son Thomas Harrington [aged 60] and John Harrington [aged 36] were killed, the former dying of his wounds the day after.

William Bonville 6th Baron Harington [aged 18] was killed. His daughter Cecily succeeded 7th Baroness Harington.

Thomas Parr [aged 53] fought in the Yorkist army.

Following the battle Richard Neville Earl Salisbury [aged 60] was beheaded by Thomas "Bastard of Exeter" Holland. William Bonville [aged 40] was executed.

Edmund York 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 17] was killed on Wakefield Bridge [Map] by John "Butcher" Clifford. Earl of Rutland extinct.


Earl of Rutland 3rd Creation 1525

Summary

18th June 1525. Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 33] created. See Knighting of Henry Fitzroy.

20th September 1543. Son Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland [aged 16] succeeded.

17th September 1563. Son Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [aged 14] succeeded.

14th April 1587. Brother John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 36] succeeded.

24th February 1588. Son Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 11] succeeded.

26th June 1612. Brother Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 34] succeeded.

17th December 1632. Brother George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland [aged 52] succeeded.

29th March 1641. Second Cousin John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland [aged 36] succeeded.

29th September 1679. Son John Manners 1st Duke Rutland [aged 41] succeeded.

10th January 1711. Son John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland [aged 34] succeeded.

22nd February 1721. Son John Manners 3rd Duke Rutland [aged 24] succeeded.

29th May 1779. Grandson Charles Manners 4th Duke Rutland [aged 25] succeeded.

24th October 1787. Son John Henry Manners 5th Duke Rutland [aged 9] succeeded.

20th January 1857. Son Charles Manners 6th Duke Rutland [aged 41] succeeded.

3rd March 1888. Brother John Manners 7th Duke Rutland [aged 69] succeeded.

5th August 1906. Son Henry John Brinsley Manners 8th Duke Rutland [aged 54] succeeded.

8th May 1925. Son John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland [aged 38] succeeded.

22nd April 1940. Son Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland [aged 20] succeeded.

4th January 1999. Son David Manners 11th Duke of Rutland [aged 39] succeeded.

On 18th June 1525 Henry Fitzroy [aged 6] was taken by barge to Bridewell Palace [Map] where he was enobled by his father King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 33].

In the morning Henry Fitzroy was created 1st Earl Nottingham.

In the afternoon Henry Fitzroy was created 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset.

Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland [aged 47] carried the Sword of State. Thomas More [aged 47] read the patents of nobility. Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 41], Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 47],

Henry Courtenay [aged 29] was created 1st Marquess Exeter. Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter [aged 22] by marriage Marchioness Exeter.

Henry Clifford [aged 32] was created 1st Earl of Cumberland, Warden of the West Marches and Governor of Carlisle Castle.

Thomas Manners [aged 33] was created 1st Earl of Rutland. Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 30] by marriage Countess of Rutland. He was given the Earldom of Rutland to reflect his descent from Anne York Duchess Exeter sister of the previous Earl of Rutland. At the same time his arms Manners Arms were augmented with the Manners Augmented Arms

Henry Brandon [aged 2] was created 1st Earl Lincoln.

Robert Radclyffe [aged 42] was created 1st Viscount Fitzwalter.

Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 48] was created 1st Viscount Rochford. Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 45] by marriage Viscountess Rochford.

Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 52], William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel [aged 49] and John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford [aged 25] attended.

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On 20th September 1543 Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 51] died. He was buried in the Chancel of St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son Henry [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Earl of Rutland, 13th Baron Ros Helmsley. Margaret Neville Countess Rutland by marriage Countess of Rutland.

On 17th September 1563 Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland [aged 36] died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son Edward [aged 14] succeeded 3rd Earl of Rutland, 14th Baron Ros Helmsley. Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland became a ward of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 30] and was specially under the charge of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 43].

On 6th June 1573 Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [aged 23] and Isabel Holcroft Countess Rutland [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland, Baroness Ros Helmsley. He the son of Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland and Margaret Neville Countess Rutland.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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On 14th April 1587 Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [aged 37] died at his home Ivy Bridge on the Strand [Map] or at Puddle Wharf aka Dock [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Elizabeth [aged 12] succeeded 15th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother John [aged 36] succeeded 4th Earl of Rutland. Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 34] by marriage Countess of Rutland. He would be Earl for ten months only dying on 24 Feb 1588.

Robert Constable [aged 65] was one of the principal mourners at his funeral.

On 24th February 1588 John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] died. His son Roger [aged 11] succeeded 5th Earl of Rutland.

On 5th March 1599 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 22] and Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland. Childless, unhappy and possibly not consummated. She the daughter of Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 32]. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland.

On 26th June 1612 Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland [aged 35] died. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His brother Francis [aged 34] succeeded 6th Earl of Rutland. Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland by marriage Countess of Rutland.

On 17th December 1632 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 54] died at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire [Map]. On 20th February 1633 he was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Katherine [aged 30] succeeded 18th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother George [aged 52] succeeded 7th Earl of Rutland. Frances Carey Countess Rutland [aged 61] by marriage Countess of Rutland.

On 29th March 1641 George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland [aged 61] died. His second cousin John [aged 36] succeeded 8th Earl of Rutland. Frances Montagu Countess Rutland [aged 27] by marriage Countess of Rutland. Monument sculpted by Grinling Gibbons at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].

On 29th September 1679 John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland [aged 75] died at Nether Haddon, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son John [aged 41] succeeded 9th Earl of Rutland. Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland [aged 22] by marriage Countess of Rutland.

On 10th January 1711 John Manners 1st Duke Rutland [aged 72] died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son John [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Duke Rutland, 2nd Marquess Grandby, 10th Earl of Rutland, 2nd Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland [aged 34] by marriage Duchess Rutland.

On 22nd February 1721 John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland [aged 44] died. His son John [aged 24] succeeded 3rd Duke Rutland, 3rd Marquess Grandby, 11th Earl of Rutland, 3rd Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Bridget Sutton Duchess Rutland [aged 21] by marriage Duchess Rutland.

On 29th May 1779 John Manners 3rd Duke Rutland [aged 82] died. His grandson Charles [aged 25] succeeded 4th Duke Rutland, 4th Marquess Grandby, 12th Earl of Rutland, 4th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Mary Isabella Somerset Duchess Rutland [aged 22] by marriage Duchess Rutland.

Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

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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On 24th October 1787 Charles Manners 4th Duke Rutland [aged 33] died at Phoenix Park Lodge, Phoenix Park, Dublin. His son John [aged 9] succeeded 5th Duke Rutland, 5th Marquess Grandby, 13th Earl of Rutland, 5th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire.

On 20th January 1857 John Henry Manners 5th Duke Rutland [aged 79] died. His son Charles [aged 41] succeeded 6th Duke Rutland, 6th Marquess Grandby, 14th Earl of Rutland, 6th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire.

On 3rd March 1888 Charles Manners 6th Duke Rutland [aged 72] died unmarried at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His brother John Manners [aged 69] succeeded 7th Duke Rutland, 7th Marquess Grandby, 15th Earl of Rutland, 7th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Janetta Hughan [aged 51] by marriage Duchess Rutland.

On 5th August 1906 John Manners 7th Duke Rutland [aged 87] died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son Henry [aged 54] succeeded 8th Duke Rutland, 8th Marquess Grandby, 16th Earl of Rutland, 2nd Baron Roos of Belvoir in Leicestershire. Violet Lindsay Duchess Rutland [aged 50] by marriage Duchess Rutland.

On 8th May 1925 Henry John Brinsley Manners 8th Duke Rutland [aged 73] died. His son John [aged 38] succeeded 9th Duke Rutland, 9th Marquess Grandby, 17th Earl of Rutland, 9th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire, 3rd Baron Roos of Belvoir in Leicestershire. Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland [aged 30] by marriage Duchess Rutland.

On 4th January 1999 Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland [aged 79] died. His son David [aged 39] succeeded 11th Duke Rutland, 11th Marquess Grandby, 19th Earl of Rutland, 11th Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire, 5th Baron Roos of Belvoir in Leicestershire.