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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Agnes Lexham was born to [her father] William Lexham.
Before February 1466 John Cheyne of Drayton Beauchamp (age 76) and Agnes Lexham were married.
A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3: Parishes: Chenies. On Sir [her husband] John Cheyne's (age 78) death without issue in 146833 his widow Agnes married [her future husband] Edmund Molyneux, who was sheriff of the county in 147534 and presented to the church in 147935. He died in 148436, and Agnes survived him ten years. By her will 20 November 1494 her first husband's great-great-nephew John Cheyne of Chesham Bois (q.v.) obtained Drayton Beauchamp, Grove and Cogenhoe Manors, but Chenies [Map] passed to Agnes Cheyne's niece Anne (age 35) wife of David Philip37. Anne and David Philip, who was sheriff in 149838, had some difficulty in inducing the trustees to hand over the manor39, but were in possession in 1500, when Chenies was settled on Anne and her issue40. She died seised of it in 1510, when it passed to her granddaughter Anne wife of John Broughton and daughter and heir of Guy Sapcote (age 19), son of Anne Philip by a former husband (age 39)41.
Note 33. Chan. Inq. p.m. 8 Edw. IV, no. 51.
Note 34. P.R.O. List of Sheriffs, 2.
Note 35. Lipscomb, Bucks. iii, 252.
Note 36. Brass in church.
Note 37. Add. MS. 5840, fol. 39.
Note 38. P.R.O. List of Sheriffs, 2.
Note 39. Early Chan. Proc. bdle. 218, no. 30.
Note 40. De Banco R. Hil. 15 Hen. VII, m. 297; Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxv, 162.
Note 41. Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), xxv, 162.
In or after 1468 Edmund Molyneux and Agnes Lexham were married.
On 15th August 1468 [her husband] John Cheyne of Drayton Beauchamp (age 78) died at Drayton Beauchamp, Buckinghamshire.
21st January 1484. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of [her husband] Edmund Molyneux and Agnes Lexham inscribed "Here lies Dame Agnes Cheyne sometime wife of Sir John Cheyne knight who died day A.D. and Edmund Molyneux Esq. Second husband of the aforesaid lady who died 21 January A.D. 1484 on whose souls may God have mercy".
Note. Agnes Lexham was married, firstly to [her former husband] John Cheyne of Drayton Beauchamp and, secondly, to Edmund Molyneux.
On 21st June 1485 [her husband] Edmund Molyneux died at Chenies Manor House, Buckinghamshire [Map].
Around 20th November 1494 Agnes Lexham died. Her will was dated 20th November 1494.