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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York School of Carving

Church of St Oswald, Methley Church of St Michael and All Angels, Thornhill

York School of Carving is in Carvers.

After 17th January 1425. Monument in Church of St Oswald, Methley [Map] to Robert Waterton (deceased) and Cecily Fleming.

York School of Carving. Crocketed arch. He in Early Plate Bascinet Period armour. Large Orle highly decorated with head resting on great helm with feathered crest. Beard with spiral twists. Collar Esses and Crowns Alternating. Misericorde. Hip Belt with decorated buckle. She wearing a squared crespine headress and small Esses Collar. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields. Chunky Lions Mane.

Cecily Fleming: she was born to Robert Fleming of Woodhall. Before 1398 Robert Waterton and she were married. Around 1424 she died.

1482. Monument at Church of St Michael and All Angels, Thornhill [Map]. Some discussion as to whose monument it is. Some say it is John Savile of Thornhill (age 75) and his wife Alice Gascoigne (age 66). Others say Thomas Savile and Margaret Pilkington which appears to early but monuments sometimes erected long after the death of its subjects.

Alabaster chest tomb. Possibly York School of Carving. Similarities with the monuments at All Saints Church Harewood [Map] which are also Gascoigne, Church of St Helen and the Holy Cross Sheriff Hutton [Map] and Church of St Oswald, Methley [Map]. Suns and Roses Collar. Lion of March Pendant. Maidens Head Crest from Thornhill family; the Savile family obtained Thorhill through marriage.