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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MP Shaftesbury is in Member Parliament.
In 1421 John Hody was elected MP Shaftesbury. He was re-elected in 1422, 1423, 1425 and 1427.
In 1547 John Arundell (age 17) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
In 1597 John Davies (age 27) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
In 1604 Robert Hopton of Witham (age 29) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
In 1621 Percy Herbert 2nd Baron Powis (age 23) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
In 1701 John Cropley 2nd Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Shaftesbury unopposed. He was re-elected unopposed in 1702, 1705 and 1708. He was defeated in 1710. He didn't stand in 1713.
Between 1718 and 1734 Edward des Bouverie 2nd Baronet (age 28) was elected MP Shaftesbury in three Parliaments.
In 1726 Stephen Fox-Strangways 1st Earl of Ilchester (age 21) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
In 1754 James Brudenell 5th Earl Cardigan (age 28) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
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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In 1790 Charles Duncombe 1st Baron Feversham (age 25) was elected MP Shaftesbury.
In 1820 Edward Harbord 3rd Baron Suffield (age 38) was elected MP Shaftesbury.