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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Biography of Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln 1126-1156

Paternal Family Tree: Gaunt

1138 Battle of the Standard aka Northallerton

1141 First Battle of Lincoln

Around 1126 Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln was born to [his father] Walter Gaunt [aged 46] and [his mother] Maud Penthièvre [aged 45].

On 21st April 1135 [his mother] Maud Penthièvre [aged 54] died.

Battle of the Standard aka Northallerton

On 22nd August 1138 [his father] Walter Gaunt [aged 58] died. Possibly at the Battle of the Standard aka Northallerton?

After 1141 Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 15] and Rohese Clare Countess Lincoln were married. She the daughter of Richard de Clare and Alice Gernon. They were half fourth cousin once removed.

First Battle of Lincoln

On 2nd February 1141 the army of Empress Matilda [aged 38] commanded by Robert Normandy 1st Earl Gloucester [aged 42] defeated the army of King Stephen I England [aged 47]. Matilda's army included Ranulf Gernon 4th Earl Chester [aged 42] and Madog ap Maredudd Mathrafal Prince Powys. King Stephen I England, Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 15], William "The Younger" Peverell [aged 61] and Ilbert Lacy 3rd Baron Pontefract were captured. William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York [aged 40] fought for Stephen, his cousin.

In 1148 Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 22] founded Rufford Abbey, Nottinghamshire [Map].

Around 1149 Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 23] was created 1st Earl Lincoln. [his wife] Rohese Clare Countess Lincoln by marriage Countess Lincoln.

In 1156 Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 30] died. Earl Lincoln merged with the Crown.

[his daughter] Alice Gaunt Countess Huntingdon and Northampton was born to Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln and Rohese Clare Countess Lincoln. She married before 1185 her fifth cousin once removed Simon Senlis 7th Earl Huntingdon 6th Earl of Northampton, son of Simon Senlis 4th Earl Huntingdon 4th Earl of Northampton and Isabel Beaumont Countess Huntingdon and Northampton.

[his father] Walter Gaunt and [his mother] Maud Penthièvre were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Stephen Penthièvre Count Tréguier and [his grandmother] Hawise Guingamp. They were half fourth cousins.