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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Alonso Sánchez Coello is in Painters.
In 1531 Alonso Sánchez Coello was born.
Around 1557 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 26). Portrait of Joanna of Austria Princess Portugal (age 21).
Joanna of Austria Princess Portugal: On 26th June 1535 she was born to Charles V Holy Roman Emperor and Isabel Aviz Queen Consort Spain. Coefficient of inbreeding 10.98%. In 1552 John Manuel Aviz Prince Portugal and she were married. She the daughter of Charles V Holy Roman Emperor and Isabel Aviz Queen Consort Spain. He the son of John III King Portugal and Catherine of Austria Queen Consort Portugal. They were double first cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. On 7th September 1573 Joanna of Austria Princess Portugal died.
Around 1563 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 32). Portrait of Jane Dormer Duchess Feria (age 24).
Around 1564 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 33). Portrait of Carlos Habsburg Spain (age 18).
Carlos Habsburg Spain: On 8th July 1545 he was born to Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain and Maria Aviz. Coefficient of inbreeding 20.02%. On 12th August 1545 Maria Aviz died from childbirth one month after giving birth to her son Carlos Habsburg Spain. On 24th July 1568 Carlos Habsburg Spain died.
Around 1564 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 33). Portrait of Carlos Habsburg Spain (age 18).
Around 1567 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 36). Portrait of Joanna of Austria Princess Portugal (age 31).
Around 1567 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 36). Portrait of Rudolf II Holy Roman Emperor (age 14).
Around 1570 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 39). Self-Portrait.
Around 1570 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 39). Portrait of Anna of Austria Queen Consort Spain (age 20).
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Around 1571 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 40). Portrait of Anna of Austria Queen Consort Spain (age 21).
Around 1577 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 46). Portrait of Albert Habsburg Spain VII Archduke Austria (age 17).
Around 1584 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 53). Portrait of Unknown Lady.
On 8th August 1588 Alonso Sánchez Coello (age 57) died.
Between 1683 and 1693. Alonso Sánchez Coello. Portrait of Mariana of Austria Queen Consort Spain (age 48).