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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Chronicle of Greyfriars 1542 is in Chronicle of Greyfriars.
13th February 1542. And the 13th day of February was the Queen Katherine [aged 19] and Lady Rocheford [aged 37] be-heddyd within the tower, and there burryd.
28th March 1542. And the 28th day of March there was an affray made at the Counter in Breadstreet [Map] of a sergeant at arms of the parliament house by Robert Tomsone the yeoman and Thomas Craker of the same house for arrest of Robert Taylor sergeant of maysse, the which master shreffes ware sent for to the council, and they were sent unto the tower of London, and were there a three or four dayes.
10th March 1542. And the 10th day of March was a maid boiled in Smithfield for poisoning of diverse persons.