Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire is in Home Counties.

917 Battle of Tempsford

1290 Eleanor Crosses

1461 Second Battle of St Albans

1513 Battle of Flodden

1528 Sweating Sickness Outbreak

1757 Execution of Admiral John Byng

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Ampthill

On 19 Nov 1516 Elizabeth Hussey Countess Kent died at Ampthill.

Ampthill Castle

After 1415 Ampthill Castle [Map] was commissioned by John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke (age 51) paid for with ransoms from the the Battle of Agincourt.

On 11 Dec 1443 John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke (age 79) died at Ampthill Castle [Map]. He was buried at Blackfriars Preachers Ludgate. Baron Fanhope, Baron Milbroke extinct.

Letters and Papers 1528. 09 Jul 1528. R. O. St. P. I. 312. 4486. Hennege (age 48) to Wolsey.

I delivered the King your letters, for which he thanks you, especially for the good news out of Italy from Dr. Stevyns. He has heard that my Lady Marquese of Exeter (age 25) is sick of the sweat, and he will therefore remove upon Saturday to Ampthill [Map]. He has ordered all who were in the Marquis's company to depart. He is glad you have made your will, "and ordered yourself anenst God," as he has done. He intends to send his will to you, by which you will perceive his hearty mind towards you above all men living. By the death of one of his chapel, divers gifts have fallen, which he desires may be stayed until you have further knowledge of his pleasure. "Also he desireth your Grace that he may hear every second day from you how you do; for I assure you every morning, as soon as he cometh from the Queen, he asketh whether I hear anything from your Grace." He has told Herytage what alterations he desires here. Tittenhanger [Map], 9 July.

Letters and Papers 1528. 22 Jul 1528. R. O. 4546. Hennege to Wolsey.

This day I received your letter, with one to the chapter of Lincoln, in favor of my brother, the archdeacon of Oxford, for the deanery of Lincoln; which, without your aid, had not taken effect. As the plague is at Grafton [Map], the King will not go there. As for your wish that Wilson should have some promotion, the King is in doubt whether he shall give the archdeaconry of Oxford to Mr. Wilson or Dr. Bell. The King cannot write, in consequence of his head, and begs you will send him the presentation of the prebend of Ripon, as you promised him. The vicarage you gave to Dr. Wilson was resigned to Dr. Daycots for a pension five years ago. The King wishes you to dispatch the earl of Angus's servant. He will not fail to send you "these letters of Ireland" in two or three days, but his head is not the best, or he would have dispatched them now. He desires you to be good lord to his barber Penne, for the daughter and ward unto your Grace, of one Chevall, within the liberties of St. Alban's, for his money. It is not in value above £12 a year, her father hath tangled it so, and laid it to mortgage for £60. Cade can inform you of the truth. Ampthill [Map], 22 July, about 7 in the afternoon. Signed.

Pp. 2. Add. Endd. Wolsey has written at the back "intangellyd."

Wriothesley's Chronicle. Around 08 Apr 1533. And the Wednesdaie before the good Queene Katherinf was deposed at Hanthill [Map]a by the Duke of Norfolke (age 60), the Duke of Suffolke (age 49), and Lord Marques of Exceter (age 37), my Lorde of Oxforde (age 62), Lord Chamberlaine of the Kinges howse, Mr. Treasorer and Mr. Controwler of the Kinges howse. And from that dale after to be called Ladie Catherin, wife of Prince Arthur, dowarie of Englande,b she to have by yearelie pencion for her dowarie eight thousand poundes sterlinge.

Note f. The general opinion in England was distinctly adverse to the divorce. See Calendar of State Papers preserved in the Archives of Venice, vol. iv. 1532-3.

Note a. Ampthill [Map], in Bedfordshire, to which place Queen Katharine retired while the question of her dirorce was under discussion. This castle had been erected by Lord Fanhope, and reverted with the manor to the Crown in the reign of Edward IV, by whom it was conferred on Lord Grey of Ruthin, Earl of Kent, from whose descendants it passed again to the Crown about 1530, and became a palace of Henry VIII (age 41).

Note b. Princess Dowager of Wales, which designation was displeasing to the ex-queen, who refused to resign herself to the judgment passed. She went so far as to obliterate with her own pen the words "Princess Dowager" whererer they had been written by her Chamberlain, Mountjoy (age 55), in his report to the King (age 41).

Ellis' Letters S1 V2 Letter CXIV. IN my most hartie wise I commende me unto you and even so woulde be right gladd to here of your welfare, &c. Thes be to advertise you that inasmoche as you nowe and than take some paynes in writyng vnto me, I woulde be lothe you shuld thynke your Labour utterly lost and forgotten for lake of wrytyng agayne; therefore and by cause I reken you be somedele desirous of suche newis as hathe byn here with us of late in the Kyngis Graces matters, I entend to enforme you a parte therof accordyng to the tenure and purporte vsyd in that behalf.

Ande fyrste as towchyng the small determynacion and concludyng of the matter of devorse betwene my Lady Kateren and the Kyngs Grace, whiche said matter after the Convocacion in that behalf hadde determyned and aggreed accordyng to the former consent of the Vniversites, yt was thowght convenient by the Kyng and his lernyd Councell that I shuld repayre unto Dunstable, which ys within iiij. myles vnto Amptell [Map], where the said Lady Kateren (age 47) kepeth her howse, and there to call her before me, to here the fynall Sentance in this said mateir. Notwithstandyng she would not att all obey therunto, for whan she was by doctour Lee cited to appear by a daye, she utterly refused the same, sayinge that inasmoche as her cause was before the Pope she would have none other judge; and therfore woulde not take me for her judge.

Westoning Ampthill

Around 1155 William Boclande was born at Westoning Ampthill.

On 28 Mar 1222 Maud Saye (age 67) died at Westoning Ampthill.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Arlessey

In 1483 John Greene (age 38) died at Arlessey.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Battlesden

On 04 Mar 1687 John Duncombe of Battlesden (age 64) died at Battlesden.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Biggleswade

In 1263 Warin Lisle was born to Robert Lisle (age 17) and Mabel Muscgros at Biggleswade.

Before 07 Dec 1296 Warin Lisle (age 33) died at Biggleswade.

Pepy's Diary. 22 Jul 1661. Up by three, and going by four on my way to London; but the day proves very cold, so that having put on no stockings but thread ones under my boots, I was fain at Bigglesworth to buy a pair of coarse woollen ones, and put them on.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Sep 1663. Lord's Day. Up, and finding my father somewhat better, walked to Huntingdon [Map] church, where in my Lord's pew, with the young ladies, by my Lord's own showing me the place, I stayed the sermon, and so to Hinchingbroke [Map], walking with Mr. Shepley and Dr. King, whom they account a witty man here, as well as a good physician, and there my Lord took me with the rest of the company, and singly demanded my opinion in the walks in his garden, about the bringing of the crooked wall on the mount to a shape; and so to dinner, there being Collonel Williams and much other company, and a noble dinner. But having before got my Lord's warrant for travelling to-day, there being a proclamation read yesterday against it at Huntingdon [Map], at which I am very glad, I took leave, leaving them at dinner, and walked alone to my father's, and there, after a word or two to my father and mother, my wife and I mounted, and, with my father's boy, upon a horse I borrowed of Captain Ferrers, we rode to Bigglesworth by the help of a couple of countrymen, that led us through the very long and dangerous waters, because of the ditches on each side, though it begun to be very dark, and there we had a good breast of mutton roasted for us, and supped, and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 05 Aug 1664. Thence forward to Barnett [Map], and there drank, and so by night to Stevenage, Hertfordshire, it raining a little, but not much, and there to my great trouble, find that my wife was not come, nor any Stamford coach gone down this week, so that she cannot come. So vexed and weary, and not thoroughly out of pain neither in my old parts, I after supper to bed, and after a little sleep, W. Joyce comes in his shirt into my chamber, with a note and a messenger from my wife, that she was come by Yorke coach to Bigglesworth, and would be with us to-morrow morning. So, mightily pleased at her discreete action in this business, I with peace to sleep again till next morning. So up, and [continued tomorrow]

Blunham Biggleswade

On 09 Aug 1250 Henry Hastings (age 52) died at Blunham Biggleswade.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Brickhill

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Jul 1675. Our cause was pleaded in behalf of the mother, Mrs. Howard (age 49) and her daughters, before Baron Thurland (age 68), who had formerly been steward of Courts for me; we carried our cause, as there was reason, for here was an impudent as well as disobedient son (age 26) against his mother (age 49), by instigation, doubtless, of his wife, one Mrs. Ogle (age 23) (an ancient maid), whom he had clandestinely married, and who brought him no fortune, he being heir-apparent to the Earl of Berkshire (age 60) [Note. The reference to heir apparent is incorrect insofar as Charles Howard 2nd Earl Berkshire (age 60) having a younger brother Thomas Howard 3rd Earl Berkshire (age 55) who did inherit the Earldom]. Craven in line to inherit in the event the 2nd or 3rd Earl didn't have issue which proved to be the case but Craven had died by that time so his son Henry Bowes Howard 4th Earl Berkshire 11th Earl Suffolk became the 4th Earl. We lay at Brickhill, in Bedfordshire, and came late the next day to our journey's end.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Bury Hatley

Around 1406 Reginald Cockayne was born to John Cockayne (age 46) and Ida Grey (age 38) at Bury Hatley.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Campton

On 20 Jan 1288 Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle was born to Warin Lisle (age 25) and Alice Montfort Baroness Fitzwalter at Campton.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Cardington

On 18 Jan 1764 Samuel Charles Whitbread was born to Samuel Whitbread (age 43) and Harriet Hayton at Cardington.

On 29 Jun 1816 William Frederick Waldegrave was born to William Waldegrave 8th Earl Waldegrave (age 27) and Elizabeth Whitbread in Cardington.

On 13 Sep 1819 Bishop Samuel Waldegrave was born to William Waldegrave 8th Earl Waldegrave (age 30) in Cardington.

On 17 May 1821 Laura Waldegrave Countess Selborne was born to William Waldegrave 8th Earl Waldegrave (age 32) in Cardington.

St Mary's Church Cardington [Map]

St Mary's Church Cardington [Map]. N transept has monument to Whitbread family. W one to Ive Whitbread and ancestors, by Peter Scheemakers, after 1766, has inscription to base, supporting 2 busts and obelisk. N one to Samuel Whitbread d. 1796, by John Bacon R A, showing Whitbread lying on couch, supported by Faith, who points to heaven, whilst mourning woman kneels at feet. E one to Samuel Whitbread d. 1815, by H. Weekes (dated 1849), showing husband and wife kneeling. N. Chapel has plain wall monument to Henrietta Howard d.l765, with brief inscription to husband John Howard, philanthropist and prison reformer, d. 1790.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Chalgrave

Church of All Saints Chalgrave [Map]

Church of All Saints Chalgrave [Map]. A fine little church with some nice medieval paintings on the walls and what I think are 2 rather nice late Fourteenth century monuments of knights, one of which displays the arms of the Loring family on his tomb,widely believed to be the tomb of Sir Nigel Loring one of the first Knights of the Garter he fought at the battles of Sluys 1340, Crecy 1346,Poitiers 1356 and at Najera in Spain under the command of the Black prince. The other monument is believed to be to Sir John Broughton who was related to the Loring family via marriage. Both monuments very similar but nice to see two in one small church. Foot Note I forgot to add Sir Nigel Loring was the main character in two of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books Sir Nigel and The white company..

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Clifton

On 15 Jan 1812 Diana Dashwood (age 66) died at Clifton.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Cockayne Hatley

On 04 Oct 1744 Mildred Porteus was born to Robert Porteus Junior (age 39) at Cockayne Hatley.

On 26 Jul 1754 Robert Porteus Junior (age 49) died at Cockayne Hatley.

Church of St John, Cockayne Hatley

On 22 May 1429 John Cockayne (age 69) died at Ashbourne [Map]. He was buried at Church of St John, Cockayne Hatley.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Colmworth

Around 1307 Gerard Braybrooke was born at Colmworth.

Around 1332 Gerard Braybrooke was born to Gerard Braybrooke (age 25) at Colmworth.

Around 1356 Reginald Braybrooke was born to Gerard Braybrooke (age 24) at Colmworth.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Cople

Around 1406 John Peake was born at Cople.

Around 1432 William Mordaunt was born at Cople.

In 1434 John Peake (age 28) died at Cople.

On 21 Apr 1434 Margaret Peake was born to John Peake at Cople.

In 1480 John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt was born to John Mordaunt (age 24) and Edith Latimer (age 30) at Cople.

In 1481 William Mordaunt (age 49) died at Cople.

Around 1484 Joan Mordaunt was born to John Mordaunt (age 28) and Edith Latimer (age 34) at Cople. Date changed to 1484 to be consistent with birth of son Henry in 1500.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Dunstable [Map]

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1123. In this year was the King Henry (age 55), at Christmastide at Dunstable [Map], and there came to him the ambassadors of the Earl of Anjou (age 34).

Chronicle of Gregory 1461. Ande the xvij day nexte folowynge Kyng Harry (age 39) roode to Synt Albonys [Map], and the Duke of Northefolke (age 45) with hym, the Erle of Warwycke (age 32), the Erle of Arundelle (age 43), the Lorde Bouser (age 30), the Lorde Bonvyle (age 68), with many grete lordys, knyghtys, and squyers, and commyns of an C [Hundred] Ml men. And there they hadde a grete batayle whythe the Quene (age 30), for she come ever on fro the jornaye of Wackefylde tylle sche come to Synt Albonys, with alle the lordys a fore sayde; and hyr mayny and every lorde ys men bare hyr lordys leverey, that every man myghte knowe hys owne feleschippe by hys lyverey. And be-syde alle that, every man and lorde bare the Pryncys (age 7) levery, that was a bende of crymesyn and blacke with esteryge ys fetherys. The substance that gate that fylde were howseholde men and feyd men. I wene there were not v Mlmen that fought in the Quenys party, for [t]emoste parte of Northeryn men fledde a-way, and sum were take and spoylyd owte of hyr harnysse by the way as they fledde. And sum of them robbyd evyr as they yede, a petyffulle thynge hit ys to hyre hit. But the day before that batayle there was a jornay at Dunstapyl [Map]; but the kyngys mayny lackyd good gydyng, for sum were but newe men of warre, for the chevyste captayne was a boucher of the same towne; and there were the kyngys mayny ovyr throughe only by the Northeryn men. And sone aftyr the bocher, for schame of hys sympylle gydynge and loste of the men, the nombyr of viij C, for very sorowe as hyt ys sayde, hynge hym selfe; and sum men sayde that hyt was for loste of hys goode, but dede he ys-God knowythe the trought.

And in the myddys of the batayle Kynge Harry (age 39) wente unto hys Quene (age 30) and for-soke alle hys lordys, ande truste better to hyr party thenne unto hys owne lordys. And thenn thoroughe grete labur the Duke of Northefolke (age 45) and the Erle of Warwycke (age 32) a schapyd a-waye; the Byschoppe of Exceter (age 29), that tyme Chaunceler of Ingelond, and brother unto the Erle of Warwycke, the Lorde Bouser (age 30), whythe many othyr knyghtys, squyers, and comyns fledde, and many men slayne in bothe partys. And the Lorde Bonevyle (age 68) was be-heddyd, the comyn sayynge that hys longage causyd hym to dye. The Prynce (age 7) was jugge ys owne sylfe. Ande ther was slayne that manly knyght Syr Thomas Keryel (age 65). The nomber of ded men was xxxv C an moo [t]at were slayne. The lordys in Kyng Harrys (age 39) party pycchyd a fylde and fortefyd hyt fulle stronge, and lyke unwyse men brake hyr raye and fyld and toke a-nothyr, and or that they were alle sette a buskyd to batayle, the Quenys parte was at hond whythe hem in towne of Synt Albonys [Map], and then alle [t]yng was to seke and owte of ordyr, for hyr pryckyers come not home to bryng no tydyng howe ny that the Quene (age 30) was, save one come and sayd that she was ix myle of. And ar the goners and borgeners couthe levylle hyr gonnys they were besely fyghtyng, and many a gynne of wer was ordaynyd that stode in lytylle a-vayle or nought; for the burgeners hadde suche instrumentys that wolde schute bothe pellettys of ledde and arowys of an elle of lenghthe with vj fetherys, iij in myddys and iij at the othyr ende, with a grete myghty hedde of yryn at the othyr ende, and wylde fyre with alle. Alle thes iij thyngys they myght schute welle and esely at onys, but in tyme of nede they couthe not schut not one of thes, but the fyre turnyd backe a-pon them that wold schute thys iij thyngys. Also they hadde nettys made of grete cordys of iiij fethem of lengthe and of iiij fote brode, lyke unto an haye, and at every ij knott there was an nayl stondyng uppe ryght, that there couthe no man passe ovyr hyt by lyckely hode but he shulde be hurte. Alle so they hadde pavysse bore as a dore i-made with a staffe foldynge uppe and downe to sette the pavys where the lykyd, and loupys with schyttyng wyndowys to schute owte at, they stondyng by hynde [t]e pavys, and the pavys as fulle of iijdnayle aftyr ordyr as they myght stonde. And whenn hyr schotte was spende and done they caste the pavysse by-fore hem, thenn there myght noo man come unto them ovyr the pavysse for the naylys that stode up-ryghte, but yf he wolde myschyffe hym sylfe. Alle so they hadde a thynge made lyke unto a latysse fulle of naylys as the net was, but hit wolde be mevyd as a man wolde; a man myght bryse hyt to-gedyr that the lengythe wolde be more then ij yerdys long, and yf he wolde he myght hale hyt a brode, thenn hit wolde be iiij square. And that servyd to lye at gappys there at horsemen wolde entyr yn, and many a caltrappe. And as the substaunce of men of worschyppe that wylle not glose nor cory favyl for no parcyallyte, they cowthe not undyrstond that alle thys ordenaunce dyd any goode or harme but yf hyt were a mong us in owre parte with Kyng Harry (age 39). There fore hyt ys moche lefte, and men take hem to mallys of ledde, bowys, swyrdys, gleyvys, and axys. As for speremen they ben good to ryde be-fore the foote men and ete and drynke uppe hyr vetayle, and many moo suche prety thyngys they doo, holde me excusyd thoughe I say the beste, for in the fote men ys alle the tryste.

Evelyn's Diary. 15 Aug 1688. I went to Althorpe [Map], in Northamptonshire, seventy miles. A coach and four horses took up me and my son at Whitehall, and carried us to Dunstable [Map], where we arrived and dined at noon, and from thence another coach and six horses carried us to Althorpe [Map], four miles beyond Northampton, where we arrived by seven o'clock that evening. Both these coaches were hired for me by that noble Countess of Sunderland (age 42), who invited me to her house at Althorpe, where she entertained me and my son with very extraordinary kindness; I stayed till the Thursday.

Evelyn's Diary. 23 Aug 1688. I left this noble place and conversation, my lady having provided carriages to convey us back in the same manner as we went, and a dinner being prepared at Dunstable [Map] against our arrival. Northampton, having been lately burned and re-edified, is now become a town that for the beauty of the buildings, especially the church and townhouse, may compare with the neatest in Italy itself.

Crowne Inn Dunstable

Roger Whitley's Diary. 06 Feb 1690. Thursday, severall people came to take leave of us (Tovey, Kent, Kenrick, brother &c). we took 3 coaches, set out past 8; stayd awhile at the Greene Man in Barnet; dined at Bull in St Albans; lay at the Sugar Loaf (the Crowne being full) at Dunstable.

Dunstable Priory [Map]

On 11 Dec 1290 Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (deceased) body rested at Dunstable Priory [Map].

Archaeologia Volume 29 Section XIII. This was not the usual route from those parts of the kingdom to London. The ordinary route in those times was from Stamford by Walmesford to Huntingdon, and from thence by Royston, Puckeridge, and Cheshunt. But it was intended that the august procession should pass through a more frequented part of the country, where the Queen was well known. It was also a part of the plan to take some of the greater religious houses by the way, and to have suitable places at which to rest: hence the deviation from the direct line from Stratford to Dunstable, to take in Woburn.

We have two notices of occurrences in this solemnity. One of what passed at Dunstable, the other Walsingham's account of what was done at Saint Alban's.

They enable us to form some idea of what was done at other places where the body rested. In the Annals of Dunstableh. we read that the body rested there one night, and that there was given to the house two rich cloths of Baudekyn and fourscore pounds of wax and more, and that when the procession left Dunstable [Map] the herse remained standing "in medio Fori [in the middle of the Forum]" says the printed copy, a manifest error for "in medio Chori," meaning in the midst of the choir of the Priory-church there. I need not say that by "herse" is meant a temporary frame of wood on which the coffin was placed, covered with black cloth. The Annals further say that the herse remained standing until the Chancellor and other eminent persons came to Dunstable and marked out the place on which the Memorial Cross was to be erected. When the procession approached Saint Alban's [Map], the whole Convent "solemniter revestitus in capis [solemnly clothed on the head]" went out to meet it as far as the church of Saint Michael at the entrance of the town. The body was taken immediately to their church and placed before the high altar, and all night long the whole convent was engaged in divine offices and holy vigils. The words of Walsingham, few and simple as they are, call up a very impressive spectacle. But if this were a proper occasion to introduce any thing for which we have no special evidence, and only know that it must have existed from what we can collect of the usages of the time, and from the common principles of human nature, it would be easy to shew that this funeral procession was one of the most striking spectacles that England ever witnessed.

Sugar Loaf Inn Dunstable

Roger Whitley's Diary. 06 Feb 1690. Thursday, severall people came to take leave of us (Tovey, Kent, Kenrick, brother &c). we took 3 coaches, set out past 8; stayd awhile at the Greene Man in Barnet; dined at Bull in St Albans; lay at the Sugar Loaf (the Crowne being full) at Dunstable.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Eaton

In 1204 William Cantilupe Baron (age 45) was granted the manor of Eaton.

Around 1548 Richard Catesby (age 48) and Elizabeth Bray were married at Eaton.

On 08 Mar 1553 Richard Catesby (age 53) died at Eaton.

Eaton Bray

On 21 Mar 1501 Anne Braye Baroness Cobham was born to Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye (age 17) and Jane Halwell Baroness Bray at Eaton Bray.

Around 1524 Dorothy Braye Baroness Chandos and Knollys was born to Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye (age 40) and Jane Halwell Baroness Bray at Eaton Bray.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Eyeworth

In 1568 Katherine Anderson Lady Dunham Massey was born to Edmund Anderson (age 43) at Eyeworth.

In 1581 Francis Anderson was born to Edmund Anderson (age 56) at Eyeworth.

In 1589 Grizel Anderson was born to Edmund Anderson (age 64) at Eyeworth.

On 01 Aug 1605 Edmund Anderson (age 80) died at Eyeworth.

On 19 Feb 1773 Stephen Anderson 3rd Baronet (age 64) died at Eyeworth. Baronet Anderson of Eyeworth in Bedfordshire extinct.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Great Barford [Map]

Great Barford Bridge [Map]

Around 1425. Great Barford Bridge [Map] is an early fifteenth century bridge with seventeen arches, originally built from limestone and sandstone that spans the River Great Ouse.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Harrold [Map]

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Higham Gobion

On 20 Jan 1609 Henry Boteler (age 71) died at Higham Gobion.

On 27 May 1637 John Boteler 1st Baron Boteler (age 71) died at St Martin in the Fields [Map]. He was buried at Higham Gobion. After 27 May 1637 His son William Boteler 2nd Baron Boteler succeeded 2nd Baron Boteler of Brantfield, 2nd Baronet Boteler of Hatfield Woodhall in Hertfordshire.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Hockcliffe [Map]

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Leagrave [Map]

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Lidlington

On 08 Jun 1575 Roger Dudley (age 35) and Susannah Thorne (age 15) were married at Lidlington. The difference in their ages was 20 years.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Melchbourne

On 05 Oct 1828 Frederick Montagu was born to George Montagu 6th Duke Manchester (age 29) and Millicent Sparrow Duchess Manchester (age 30) at Melchbourne.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Milton Bryant

On 03 Aug 1803 Joseph Paxton was born at Milton Bryant.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Milton Ernest [Map]

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Odell

Church of All Saints Odell [Map]

Church of All Saints Odell [Map]. Monuments including one by Bacon to the Alston Baronets of Odell. Near Bedford. In the chancel is a monument by Bacon, to Lieut. Thomas Alston, 40th Regt. who fell at Monte Video in 1807, and there are many others to this family of earlier date, including Frances, wife of Thomas Alston, 1644; William Alston esq, 1637; Sir Thomas Alston bart. 1678; and Elizabeth, his wife, 1677; Thomas Alston, their son, 1668; Sir Rowland Alston bart. 1697; and Temperance, his wife, 1728; Vere John Alston, rector, 1762; two later baronets and numerous descendants.

On 18 Jul 1774 Thomas Alston 5th Baronet (age 50) died. He left his estate to his housekeeper Margaret Lee through whom it eventually made its way to his illegitimate son Thomas Alston. He was buried at the Church of All Saints Odell [Map]. His brother Rowland Alston 6th Baronet (age 49) succeeded 6th Baronet Alston of Odell in Bedfordshire.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Offord

Offord and Buckden Railway Station

1850. Offord Railway Station was opened in 1850. Its name was changed in Sep 1851 to Offord and Buckden Railway Station.

On 02 Feb 1859 Offord and Buckden Railway Station closed for passengers.

On 07 Sep 1869 Charles Stuart Champion (age 9) was killed accidentally at Offord and Buckden Railway Station. It isn't clear that is was a railway accident since no records for a railway accident on 07 Sep 1869 are extant.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Pabenham

Around 1335 Laurence Pavenham was born at Pabenham.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Sharnbrook [Map]

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Shefford

Chicksands

On 17 Nov 1715 Danvers Osborn 3rd Baronet was born to John Osborn at Chicksands.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, South Mylles

In 1532 Elizabeth Empson (age 97) died at South Mylles.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Southill

All Saints Church Southill

Bing Vault, All Saints Church, Southill

On 23 Jan 1747 Pattee Byng 2nd Viscount Torrington (age 47) died. He was buried at Bing Vault, All Saints Church, Southill. His brother George Byng 3rd Viscount Torrington (age 45) succeeded 3rd Viscount Torrington.

On 14 Mar 1757 Admiral John Byng (age 52) was executed by firing squad for having been found guilty of his perceived failure to relieve the garrison at Menorca. The execution caused public outrage among fellow officers and the country at large. He was buried in the Bing Vault, All Saints Church, Southill.

On 17 Feb 1759 Charlotte Montagu Viscountess Torrington (age 54) died. She was buried at Bing Vault, All Saints Church, Southill.

Southill Park

On 14 Dec 1812 George Byng 4th Viscount Torrington (age 72) died. His brother John Byng 5th Viscount Torrington (age 69) succeeded 5th Viscount Torrington. He enjoyed the Viscountcy for only twenty-four days dying on 08 Jan 1813. Further, the seat of the Viscountcy Southill Park had been sold to pay off debts. Bridget Forrest Viscountess Byng (age 64) by marriage Viscountess Torrington.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, St Neots [Map]

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Stotfold

In 1445 John Greene was born at Stotfold.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Stratton

On 12 Sep 1702 John Cotton 3rd Baronet (age 81) died in Stratton. His grandson John Cotton 4th Baronet (age 22) succeeded 4th Baronet Cotton of Conington in Huntingdonshire.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Sutton

On 08 Mar 1316 Alicia Ledet Baroness Latimer Corby (age 65) died at Sutton.

All Saint's Church, Sutton

On 16 Sep 1677 John Burgoyne 2nd Baronet (age 59) died. He was buried at All Saint's Church, Sutton. His son John Burgoyne 3rd Baronet (age 26) succeeded 3rd Baronet Burgoyne of Sutton in Bedfordshire. Constance Lucy Lady Burgoyne (age 18) by marriage Lady Burgoyne of Sutton in Bedfordshire.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Tempsford [Map]

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 917. This year, before Easter, King Edward (age 43) ordered his men to go to the town of Towcester [Map], and to rebuild it. Then again, after that, in the same year, during the gang-days, he ordered the town of Wigmore [Map] to be repaired. The same summer, betwixt Lammas and midsummer, the army broke their parole from Northampton and from Leicester; and went thence northward to Towcester, and fought against the town all day, and thought that they should break into it; but the people that were therein defended it, till more aid came to them; and the enemy then abandoned the town, and went away. Then again, very soon after this, they went out at night for plunder, and came upon men unaware, and seized not a little, both in men and cattle, betwixt Burnham-wood and Aylesbury. At the same time went the army from Huntington and East-Anglia, and constructed that work at Ternsford [Map] which they inhabited and fortified; and abandoned the other at Huntingdon [Map]; and thought that they should thence oft with war and contention recover a good deal of this land. Thence they advanced till they came to Bedford [Map]; where the men who were within came out against them, and fought with them, and put them to flight, and slew a good number of them. Then again, after this, a great army yet collected itself from East-Anglia and from Mercia, and went to the town of Wigmore, Herefordshire [Map]; which they besieged without, and fought against long in the day; and took the cattle about it; but the men defended the town, who were within; and the enemy left the town, and went away. After this, the same summer, a large force collected itself in King Edward's dominions, from the nighest towns that could go thither, and went to Temsford [Map]; and they beset the town, and fought thereon; until they broke into it, and slew the king, and Earl Toglos, and Earl Mann his son, and his brother, and all them that were therein, and who were resolved to defend it; and they took the others, and all that was therein. After this, a great force collected soon in harvest, from Kent, from Surrey, from Essex, and everywhere from the nighest towns; and went to Colchester [Map], and beset the town, and fought thereon till they took it, and slew all the people, and seized all that was therein; except those men who escaped therefrom over the wall. After this again, this same harvest, a great army collected itself from East-Anglia, both of the land-forces and of the pirates, which they had enticed to their assistance, and thought that they should wreak their vengeance. They went to Maldon [Map], and beset the town, and fought thereon, until more aid came to the townsmen from without to help. The enemy then abandoned the town, and went from it. And the men went after, out of the town, and also those that came from without to their aid; and put the army to flight, and slew many hundreds of them, both of the pirates and of the others. Soon after this, the same harvest, went King Edward (age 43) with the West-Saxon army to Passham [Map]; and sat there the while that men fortified the town of Towcester [Map] with a stone wall. And there returned to him Earl Thurferth, and the captains, and all the army that belonged to Northampton northward to the Welland, and sought him for their lord and protector. When this division of the army went home, then went another out, and marched to the town of Huntingdon; and repaired and renewed it, where it was broken down before, by command of King Edward (age 43). And all the people of the country that were left submitted to King Edward (age 43), and sought his peace and protection. After this, the same year, before Martinmas, went King Edward (age 43) with the West-Saxon army to Colchester [Map]; and repaired and renewed the town, where it was broken down before. And much people turned to him, both in East-Anglia and in Essex, that were before under the power of the Danes. And all the army in East-Anglia swore union with him; that they would all that he would, and would protect all that he protected, either by sea or land. And the army that belonged to Cambridge chose him separately for their lord and protector, and confirmed the same with oaths, as he had advised. This year King Edward (age 43) repaired the town of Gladmouth; and the same year King Sihtric slew Neil his brother.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Thursley

In 1497 Alexander St John was born to John St John (age 46) and Sybil of Lansgtone Manor (age 35) at Thursley.

In 1551 Alexander St John (age 54) died at Thursley.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Toddington [Map]

Henry Machyn's Diary. After 25 May 1562. [The .. day of May was the funeral of lady Cheyne, late wife of ser Thomas Cheyne councillor to] kyng Edward the vj and unto quen Mary and queen Elesabett (age 28) tyll he ded, and she was beried at Toddington [Map] with mony mornars; master Garter (age 52) and master Norrey (age 64) [were] the haroldes, and (the) dene of Powlles (age 45) dyd pryc[h the sermon,] for ther was grett chere, and a grett dole [as ever] in that contrey sene-iij mylles from Donstabull.

Note. P. 282. Funeral of lady Cheney. See the note on sir Thomas Cheney in p. 369. There is an effigy of the lady at Toddington; see the Topographer, 1846, vol. i. p. 156.

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Turvey

On 30 Dec 1455 John Mordaunt was born to William Mordaunt (age 23) and Margaret Peake (age 21) at Turvey.

On 01 Sep 1504 Edith Latimer (age 54) died at Turvey. She was buried at All Saints Church, Turvey [Map].

On 11 Sep 1504 John Mordaunt (age 48) died at Turvey. He was buried at All Saints Church, Turvey [Map].

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Willinton

St Michael's Church, Willington

On 15 Apr 1545 John Gostwick (age 65) died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Willington.

Willington Manor

In 1529 John Gostwick (age 49) bought Willington Manor from Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 56).

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Woburn

On 10 Dec 1290 Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (deceased) body rested at Woburn. Work on the cross here started in 1292 and was complete in ealy 1293.

On 27 Aug 1562 Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 29) died at Woburn. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies.

In 1657 Anne Russell (age 7) died at Woburn.

Woburn Abbey [Map]

In 1145 Woburn Abbey [Map] was established as a Cistercian Monastery. It was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1538.

Ellis' Letters S1 V1 Letter XXXII. 16 Sep 1513. Queen Catherine (age 27) to King Henry VIII (age 22)th, after the Battle of Flodden Field. A. D. 1513.

[MS. COTTON. VESP. F. in. fol. 15. Orig.]

Sir

MY Lord Howard (age 70) hath sent me a Lettre open to your Grace, within oon of myn, by the whiche ye shal see at length the grete Victorye that our Lord hath sent your subgetts in your absence; and for this cause it is noo nede herin to trouble your Grace with long writing, but, to my thinking, this batell hath bee to your Grace and al your reame the grettest honor that coude bee, and more than ye shuld wyn al the crown of Fraunce; thankend bee God of it: and I am suer your Grace forgetteth not to doo this, which shal be cause to send you many moo suche grete victoryes, as I trust he shal doo. My husband, for hastynesse, wt Rogecrosse I coude not sende your Grace the pece of the King of Scotts (deceased) cote [coat] whiche John Glyn now bringeth. In this your grace shal see how I can kepe my premys, sending you for your baners a Kings cote. I thought to sende hymself (deceased) unto you, but our Englishemens herts wold not suffre it. It shuld have been better for hym to have been in peax than have this rewards. Al that God sendeth is for the best.

My Lord of Surrey (age 40), my Henry, wold fayne knowe your pleasur in the buryeng of the King of Scotts (deceased) body, for he hath writen to me soo. With the next messanger your grace pleasur may bee herin knowen. And with this I make an ende: prayng God to sende you home shortly, for without this noo joye here can bee accomplisshed; and for the same I pray, and now goo to our Lady at Walsyngham [Map] that I promised soo long agoo to see. At Woborne [Map] the xvj. day of Septembre.

I sende your grace herin a bille founde in a Scottisshemans purse of suche things as the Frenshe King sent to the said King of Scotts to make warre against you, beseching your a to sende Mathewe hider assone this messanger commeth to bringe me tydings from your Grace.

Your humble wif and true servant

KATHERINE (age 27).

In 1538 Abbot Robert Hobbes was hanged, drawn and quartered outside Woburn Abbey [Map] for not supporting the Oath of Supremacy. Two of his monks, Laurence Blonham, alias Peck, and Richard Woburn, alias Barnes, were also executed as well as the vicar of Puddington.

Letters of Horace Walpole. Strawberry-Hill, Sept. 12, 1749.

I HAVE your two letters to answer of August 15th and 26th, and as far as I see before me, have a great deal of paper, which I don't know how to fill. The town is notoriously empty; at Kensington they have scarce company enough to pay for lighting the candles. The Duke has been for a week with the Duke of Bedford (age 38) at Woburn [Map]: Princess Emily (age 38) remains saying civil things; for example; the second time she saw Madame de Mirepoix, she cried out, "Ah! Madame, vous n'avez pas tant de rouge aujourdhui: la premiere fois que vous etes venue id, vous aviez une quantite horrible" This the Mirepoix herself repeated to me; you may imagine her astonishment,- I mean, as far as your duty will give you leave. I like her extremely; she has a great deal of quiet sense. They try much to be English, and whip into frocks without measure, and fancy they are doing the, fashion. Then she has heard so much of that villainous custom of giving money to the servants of other people, that there is no convincing her that women of fashion never give; she distributes with both hands. The Chevalier Lorenzi has dined with me here: I gave him venison, and as he was determined to like it, he protested it was as good as beef. You will be delighted with what happened to him: he was impatient to make his brother's compliments to Mr. Chute, and hearing somebody at Kensington call Mr. Schutz, he easily mistook the sound, and went up to him, and asked him if he had not been at Florence! Schutz with the utmost Hanoverian gravity replied, "Oui, oui, fai ete a Florence, oui, oui: - ma is ou est-il ce Florence?"

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Wrest House

Diary of Anne Clifford 1603. Mar 1603. About five miles from London there met them my Mother (age 42), my Lord of Bedford (age 30)1 and his Lady (age 23), my uncle Russell (age 45), and much other company, so that we were in number about three hundred, which did all accompany them to Bath House where they continued most of that summer, whither I went daily and visited them, and grew daily more inward with my cousin Frances (age 16) and Mrs Carey. About this time my Aunt Warwick went to meet the Queen (age 28), having Mrs Bridges (age 25) with her and my Aunt Vavisor (age 43). My Mother and I should have gone with them, but that her horse (which she borrowed of Mrs Elmes,) and old Mr Hickley were not ready, yet I went the same night and overtook my aunt at Tittinhanger, Lady Blount’s house, where my Mother came to me the next day about noon, my aunt being gone before. Then my Mother and I went on our journey to overtake her, and killed three horses that day with extremity of heat, and came to Wrest, my Lord of Kent’s, where we found the doors shut and none in the house but one servant, who only had the keys of the hall, so that we were forced to lie in the hall all night, till towards morning, at which time came a man and let us into the higher rooms where we slept three or four hours. This morning we hasted away betimes and came that night to Rockingham Castle [Map], where we overtook my Aunt Warwick, and her company, where we continued a day or two with old Sir Edward Watson (age 54) and his Lady (age 57), then we went to Lady Needham’s (age 43) who once served my Aunt of Warwick, and from thence to a sister of hers whose name I have forgotten.

Note 1. Edward, 3rd Earl (age 30), and his Lady, Lucy (age 23), daughter of Lord Harrington (age 63).

Europe, British Isles, England, Home Counties, Bedfordshire, Wymington

On 22 Oct 1407 Margaret St John (age 42) died at Wymington.