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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Biography of Abigail Heveningham 1550-1611

Paternal Family Tree: Heveningham

Maternal Family Tree: Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury 1364-1424

Before 7th February 1546 [her father] Anthony Heveningham (age 45) and Catherine Calthorpe were married.

After 7th February 1546 [her father] Anthony Heveningham (age 45) and [her mother] Mary Shelton (age 36) were married. They were first cousin once removed.

Around 1550 Abigail Heveningham was born to [her father] Anthony Heveningham (age 49) and [her mother] Mary Shelton (age 40) at Ketteringham, Norfolk. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%.

On 22nd November 1557 [her father] Anthony Heveningham (age 56) died.

After 22nd November 1557 Philip Appleyard (age 29) and [her mother] Mary Shelton (age 47) were married.

On 15th November 1558 John Digby died. He was buried at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Coleshill [Map]. His son [her future husband] George Digby (age 8) became a ward of Francis Knollys (age 46).

On or before 8th January 1571, the day she was buried at the Church of St Margaret, Heveningham, [her mother] Mary Shelton (age 61) died.

In or before 1574 George Digby (age 23) and Abigail Heveningham (age 23) were married. They were fifth cousin once removed.

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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In 1574 [her son] Robert Digby was born to [her husband] George Digby (age 23) and Abigail Heveningham (age 24). He married 19th April 1598 his third cousin once removed Lettice Fitzgerald, daughter of Gerald Fitzgerald Baron Offaly and Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly, and had issue.

In February 1580 [her son] John Digby 1st Earl Bristol was born to [her husband] George Digby (age 29) and Abigail Heveningham (age 30) at Coleshill, Warwickshire. He married 1609 Beatrice Walcott and had issue.

In or before 1586 [her future husband] Edward Cordell (age 50) and Elizabeth Harrison were married.

In April 1587 [her husband] George Digby (age 36) died at Coleshill, Warwickshire. He had made his will the previous April. It was proved 11 May 1587. He divided his lands between his widow Abigail Heveningham (age 37) and his eldest surviving son [her son] Robert Digby (age 13), and was buried at Coleshill.

After April 1587 Edward Cordell (age 51) and Abigail Heveningham (age 37) were married.

On 9th December 1590 [her husband] Edward Cordell (age 54) died. He was buried at St Dunstan's in the West, Fleet Street [Map] where his wife Abigail Heveningham (age 40) commissioned a monument, His will was proved 20 Jan 1591. He left to his wife and sole executrix all his freehold and other lands in several counties, together with his house in Fleet Street, and made provision for the almshouse his brother had founded at Long Melford.

On 19th April 1598 [her son] Robert Digby (age 24) and [her daughter-in-law] Lettice Fitzgerald (age 18) were married. They were third cousin once removed.

In 1609 [her son] John Digby 1st Earl Bristol (age 28) and [her daughter-in-law] Beatrice Walcott were married.

In 1611 Abigail Heveningham (age 61) died

Royal Ancestors of Abigail Heveningham 1550-1611

Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Abigail Heveningham 1550-1611
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [1]

Ancestors of Abigail Heveningham 1550-1611

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Heveningham

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Heveningham

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Heveningham

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Reddisham

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Heveningham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Savile of Thornhill

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Savile 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Gascoigne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Savile 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Harrington

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Harrington 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dacre 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandFather: John Heveningham of Ketteringham 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Father: Anthony Heveningham 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Shelton

GrandMother: Alice Shelton

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Clere

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Clere

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Uvedale

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Uvedale

Abigail Heveningham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Shelton

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Shelton

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Clere

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Clere

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Uvedale

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Uvedale

GrandFather: John Shelton

Mother: Mary Shelton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Boleyn

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Jane Bracton

Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bracton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Bracton

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Boleyn 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Hoo

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hoo 1st Baron Hoo and Hastings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Felton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ann Hoo 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Wychingham of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wychingham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

GrandMother: Anne Boleyn 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Butler 3rd Earl Ormonde 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: James "White Earl" Butler 4th Earl Ormonde 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Welles Countess Ormonde 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Butler 7th Earl Ormonde 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp 1st Baron Abergavenny 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp Countess Ormonde 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Fitzalan Baroness Bergavenny 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Butler 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Hankford

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Hankford

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Hankford Countess Ormonde 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montagu 3rd Earl Salisbury 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Montagu Duchess Exeter 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury