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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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

Earl Desmond

Earl Desmond is in Earl Ireland.

See: Earl Desmond, Earl Desmond.

In 1418 James Fitzgerald 6th Earl Desmond succeeded 6th Earl Desmond.

In 1462 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond succeeded 7th Earl Desmond.

In 1468 James Fitzgerald 8th Earl Desmond (age 9) succeeded 8th Earl Desmond.

On 7th December 1487 James Fitzgerald 8th Earl Desmond (age 28) was murdered by John Murtagh at the instigation of his brother John at Rathkeale, County Limerick. His brother Maurice succeeded 9th Earl Desmond.

In 1520 Maurice Fitzgerald 9th Earl Desmond died. His son James (age 25) succeeded 10th Earl Desmond.

On 8th June 1529 James Fitzgerald 10th Earl Desmond (age 34) died at Dingle. He was buried at Tralee. His uncle Thomas (age 75) succeeded 11th Earl Desmond.

In 1534 Thomas Fitzgerald 11th Earl Desmond (age 80) died. His brother John succeeded 12th Earl Desmond.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In December 1536 John Fitzgerald 12th Earl Desmond died. His son James succeeded 13th Earl Desmond.

On 14th October 1558 James Fitzgerald 13th Earl Desmond died. His son Gerald (age 25) succeeded 14th Earl Desmond.

On 22nd November 1622 George Feilding 1st Earl Desmond (age 8) was created 1st Earl Desmond, 1st Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 1st Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary. Bridget Stanhope Countess Desmond (age 7) by marriage Countess Desmond.

On 31st January 1665 George Feilding 1st Earl Desmond (age 51) died. His son William (age 24) succeeded 2nd Earl Desmond, 2nd Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 2nd Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary.

On 22nd June 1695 Basil Feilding 3rd Earl Desmond 4th Earl Denbigh (age 27) and Hester Firebrace Countess Desmond and Denbigh (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond and Countess Denbigh. He the son of William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh and Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh.

Before 3rd January 1719 William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh (age 22) and Isabella Jong Countess Desmond and Denbigh were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond, Countess Denbigh. He the son of Basil Feilding 3rd Earl Desmond 4th Earl Denbigh and Hester Firebrace Countess Desmond and Denbigh (age 42).

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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 12th April 1757 Basil Feilding 5th Earl Desmond 6th Earl Denbigh (age 38) and Mary Cotton Countess Desmond and Denbigh (age 4) were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond, Countess Denbigh. The difference in their ages was 33 years. He the son of William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh and Isabella Jong Countess Desmond and Denbigh.

On 21st July 1783 Basil Feilding 5th Earl Desmond 6th Earl Denbigh (age 64) and Sarah Farnham Countess Desmond and Denbigh were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond, Countess Denbigh. He the son of William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh and Isabella Jong Countess Desmond and Denbigh.

On 8th May 1822 William Feilding 6th Earl Desmond 7th Earl Denbigh (age 26) and Mary Elizabeth Kitty Moreton Countess Desmond and Denbigh (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond Countess Denbigh. She the daughter of Thomas Reynolds-Moreton 1st Earl Ducie (age 45) and Frances Herbert Baroness Ducie Tortworth (age 40).

Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes

Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

Earl Desmond

On 19th July 1619 Richard Preston 1st Earl Desmond was created 1st Earl Desmond.

Earl Desmond

In 1329 Maurice Fitzgerald 1st Earl Desmond was created 1st Earl Desmond. Eleanor Fitzmaurice Countess Desmond (age 21) by marriage Countess Desmond.

On 25th January 1356 Maurice Fitzgerald 1st Earl Desmond died at Dublin Castle, Dublin. His son Maurice succeeded 2nd Earl Desmond.

In 1358 Gerald Fitzgerald 3rd Earl Desmond (age 23) succeeded 3rd Earl Desmond.

In 1359 Gerald Fitzgerald 3rd Earl Desmond (age 24) and Eleanor Butler Countess Desmond were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond. She the daughter of James Butler 2nd Earl Ormonde (age 27) and Elizabeth Darcy Countess Ormonde (age 26). He the son of Maurice Fitzgerald 1st Earl Desmond and Eleanor Fitzmaurice Countess Desmond.

In 1398 John Fitzgerald 4th Earl Desmond succeeded 4th Earl Desmond.

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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

In 1399 Thomas Fitzgerald 5th Earl Desmond (age 13) succeeded 5th Earl Desmond.

On 22nd August 1455 Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl Desmond and Ellice Barry Countess Desmond (age 35) were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond. He the son of James Fitzgerald 6th Earl Desmond.