Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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Paternal Family Tree: Hamilton
In 1532 [his father] James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 16) and [his mother] Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault were married. She by marriage Countess Arran. She the daughter of [his grandfather] James Douglas 3rd Earl Morton and [his grandmother] Catherine Stewart Countess Morton (age 37). He the son of [his grandfather] James Hamilton 1st Earl Arran and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Home Countess Arran. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Before 9th June 1546 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley was born to [his father] James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 30) and [his mother] Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault.
On 9th June 1546 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley was baptised.
On 10th September 1547 an English army commanded by Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 47) defeated a Scottish army commanded by [his father] James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 31) and Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus (age 58) at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh at Musselburgh.
The English army included John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 43), Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 47), Miles Partridge and Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth (age 22). John Thynne (age 32) and Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos (age 25) were knighted.
William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 26) accompanied Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset.
Edward Shelley of Worminghurst Park (age 44) was killed.
John Forbes 6th Lord Forbes (age 82), Christopher Coningsby (age 31) and Edward Clere were killed.
John Thynne was knighted after the battle.
George Sandes (age 29) was killed.
The Scottish army included John Gordon 11th Earl Sutherland (age 22) who commanded the Rearguard and Gilbert Kennedy 3rd Earl Cassilis (age 32). John Stewart, Robert Douglas (age 41), John Livingston, Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield and Hugh Montgomerie were killed. John Hay 4th Lord Hay was captured but soon released.
Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming (age 53) was killed. His son James (age 13) succeeded 4th Lord Fleming. [his sister] Barbara Hamilton Lady Fleming by marriage Lord Fleming.
Robert Graham Master of Montrose and James Gordon of Lochinvar were killed.
On 12th March 1558 [his brother-in-law] George Gordon 5th Earl Huntley and [his sister] Anne Hamilton Countess Huntley (age 23) were married. She the daughter of [his father] James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 42) and [his mother] Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault. He the son of George Gordon 4th Earl Huntley (age 44). They were second cousins.
On 28th October 1562 George Gordon 4th Earl Huntley (age 48) died. His son [his brother-in-law] George succeeded 5th Earl Huntley. [his sister] Anne Hamilton Countess Huntley (age 27) by marriage Countess Huntley.
On 2nd May 1568 Mary Queen of Scots (age 25) escaped from Lochleven Castle, Kinross with the help of George Douglas of Helenhill (brother of William Douglas 6th Earl Morton (age 28), the castle's owner) and Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 21).
On 13th May 1568 the army of Mary Queen of Scots (age 25) commanded by Archibald Campbell 5th Earl Argyll (age 34) was defeated by the army of the Regent her illegitimate half-brother James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent (age 37).
John Campbell was killed.
William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig and [his future brother-in-law] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 15) fought.
Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 21) and [his future father-in-law] George Seton 7th Lord Seton (age 37) fought for the Queen.
John Graham 6th Earl Menteith fought for the Earl of Moray.
After 17th April 1574 [his sister] Anne Hamilton Countess Huntley (deceased) died.
After 16th June 1574 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 28) and Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 17) were married. He the son of James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 58) and Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault. They were third cousin once removed.
On 22nd January 1575 [his father] James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 59) died. His son [his brother] James (age 43) succeeded 3rd Earl Arran.
On 12th August 1575 [his son] James Hamilton 1st Earl Abercorn was born to Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 29) and [his wife] Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 18). He married his fourth cousin twice removed Marion Boyd Countess Abercorn and had issue.
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 30th December 1577 [his brother] John Hamilton 1st Marquess Hamilton (age 42) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Lyon Marchioness Hamilton were married. She by marriage Marchioness Hamilton. He the son of [his father] James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran and [his mother] Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault. They were second cousins.
On 24th May 1579 [his mother] Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault died.
In 1582 [his brother-in-law] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 29) and Margaret Montgomerie Countess Winton were married. She the daughter of [his brother-in-law] Hugh Montgomerie 3rd Earl Eglinton (age 51) and Agnes Drummond Countess Eglinton (age 59). They were second cousins.
In 1585 [his brother] John Hamilton 1st Marquess Hamilton (age 50) was restored 4th Earl Arran.
Around 1585 [his daughter] Margaret Hamilton Countess Angus was born to Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 38) and [his wife] Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 28). She married 1601 her half third cousin once removed William Douglas 1st Marquess Douglas, son of William Douglas 10th Earl Angus and Elizabeth Oliphant Countess Angus, and had issue.
In 1587 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 40) was created 1st Lord Paisley. [his wife] Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 30) by marriage Lord Paisley.
In 1590 [his son] Frederick Hamilton was born to Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 43) and [his wife] Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 33).
Before 1st July 1592 [his brother-in-law] Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline (age 37) and Lillas Drummond were married.
On 15th April 1599 [his brother] John Hamilton 1st Marquess Hamilton (age 64) was created 1st Marquess Hamilton.
On 16th November 1600 [his brother-in-law] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 47) was created 1st Earl Winton at Holyrood House, Holyrood. Margaret Montgomerie Countess Winton by marriage Countess Winton.
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 1601 [his son-in-law] William Douglas 1st Marquess Douglas (age 12) and [his daughter] Margaret Hamilton Countess Angus (age 16) were married. He the son of William Douglas 10th Earl Angus (age 49) and Elizabeth Oliphant Countess Angus. They were half third cousin once removed.
After 27th October 1601 [his brother-in-law] Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline (age 46) and Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On the 22nd or 24th March 1603 [his brother-in-law] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton (age 50) died. His son Robert (age 18) succeeded 2nd Earl Winton.
On 26th April 1604 [his brother] John Hamilton 1st Marquess Hamilton (age 69) died. His son [his nephew] James (age 15) succeeded 2nd Marquess Hamilton. Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton (age 19) by marriage Marchioness Hamilton.
In 1605 [his brother-in-law] Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline (age 50) was created 1st Earl Dunfermline. Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline by marriage Countess Dunfermline.
After 15th November 1607 [his brother-in-law] Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline (age 52) and Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline were married. She by marriage Countess Dunfermline. They were second cousin once removed.
In March 1609 [his brother] James Hamilton 3rd Earl Arran (age 77) died.
In 1614 [his son] Claud Hamilton died.
In 1616 [his wife] Margaret Seton Lady Paisley (age 59) died.
On 23rd March 1618 [his son] James Hamilton 1st Earl Abercorn (age 42) died. His son [his grandson] James (age 14) succeeded 2nd Earl Abercorn.
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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Before 3rd May 1621 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley (age 74) died.
[his son] John Hamilton was born to Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley and Margaret Seton Lady Paisley.
[his son] Claud Hamilton was born to Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley and Margaret Seton Lady Paisley.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Son of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Hamilton
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Hamilton 1st Lord Hamilton
GrandFather: James Hamilton 1st Earl Arran 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Robert III of Scotland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King James I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Annabella Drummond Queen Consort Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: King James II of Scotland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset 
Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Stewart Countess Arran 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Egmont
Great x 3 Grandfather: Arnold Egmont Duke Guelders
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Adolph de la Marck I Duke Cleves 7 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine de la Marck 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Valois Duchess Cleves 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Father: James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alexander Home 1st Lord Home
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Home
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander Home 2nd Lord Home
GrandMother: Elizabeth Home Countess Arran
Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Douglas 1st Lord Dalkeith 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Douglas 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Lady Dalkeith 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Douglas 1st Earl Morton 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Gifford
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gifford
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Douglas 2nd Earl Morton 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Robert III of Scotland 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King James I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Annabella Drummond Queen Consort Scotland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Stewart Countess Morton 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: James Douglas 3rd Earl Morton 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Crtichton 2nd Lord Crichton
Great x 3 Grandfather: David Crichton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Patrick Crichton of Cranstoun Riddell
Great x 1 Grandmother: Janet Crichton Countess Morton
Mother: Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King James I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King James II of Scotland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King James III of Scotland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnold Egmont Duke Guelders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine de la Marck 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: King James IV of Scotland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Dietrich Count of Oldenburg 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Christian I King of Denmark
Great x 4 Grandmother: Helvig of Schauenburg
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Oldenburg Queen Consort Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "The Alchemist" Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothea of Brandenburg
Great x 4 Grandmother: Barbara of Saxe-Wittenberg
GrandMother: Catherine Stewart Countess Morton 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Boyd