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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Coventry Leet Book is in Late Medieval Books.
[24th July 1469] Lord Herbert (Earl of Pembroke) was taken in a battle by Banbury with Robin of Redesdale and his fellows on S. James' Eve (Jul 24) 1469, and was taken to Northampton, and there beheaded, and Lord Richard Herbert likewise with others.
Memorandum, quod dominnus Herbert fuit captus in bello juxta Banbery cum Robarto Ryddesdale & sociis suis in vigilia S. Jacobi apostoli, a. r. Edwardi ixo & fuit ductus ad villam de Northehampton & ibi erat decollatus, & dominus Ric. Herber similiter cum aliis.
On Aug. 12 [1469] in the same year Lord Rivers then Treasurer of England was beheaded at Gosford Green [Map], and Lord John Woodville, his son, likewise; they had been taken at Chepstow.
Item, xijo die Augusti eodem anno dominus le Revers tunc thesaurarius Anglie fuit decollattus apud Gosfordgrene & dominus Joh. Wodvyle, filius eius similiter, qui capti fuerunt apud Chapstowe.