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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Paternal Family Tree: Sandes aka Sandys
In or before 1513 [his father] William Sandes (age 24) and [his mother] Margaret Dixon of Lindale (age 15) were married.
In 1519 Archbishop Edwin Sandes was born to [his father] William Sandes (age 31) and [his mother] Margaret Dixon of Lindale (age 22) at Esthwaite Hall, Hawkshead.
On 23rd August 1540 [his father] William Sandes (age 52) died.
After 1548 [his mother] Margaret Dixon of Lindale (deceased) died.
In 1559 Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 40) was consecrated Bishop of Worcester.
In 1559 five new Bishops were consecrated including:
Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 40) was consecrated Bishop of Worcester.
Bishop William Barlow (age 61) was consecrated Bishop of Chichester.
Archbishop Edmund Grindal (age 40) was consecrated Bishop of London.
On 19th February 1559 Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 40) and Cecily Wilford were married.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th February 1559. The xxv day of Feybruary dyd pryche Sandes (age 40).
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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Henry Machyn's Diary. 11th June 1559. The xj day of June dyd pryche at Powlles [Map] master [Sandys] (age 40), and ther was my lorde mayre (age 50) and the althermen, and my lord of Bedford (age 32), and with dyvers odur nobull men; and postulles [Apostles] masse mad an end that day, and masse a' Powlles was non that day, and the new dene toke possessyon that was afore, by my lord of Bedford, and thys was on sant Barnabe day; and the sam nyght thay had no evyng-song at Powlles.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 11th March 1560. The xj day of Marche dyd pryche at the court doctur Sandes (age 41) byshope of Wosseter.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 24th March 1560. The xxiiij day of Marche, was mydlentt sonday, dyd pryche at Powlles [Map] [doctor] Sandes (age 41) the nuw byshope of Wosseter, and ther was m[y lord mayor (age 64)] and the althermen, and he prychyd in ys rochet [and chiminer,] and ther was my lord the erle of Bedford (age 33), and dyvers g[entlemen] and grett audyens of pepull.
On 28th December 1560 [his son] Samuel Sandes was born to Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 41) and [his wife] Cecily Wilford. He married 1586 Mercy Culpepper and had issue.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th February 1561. The furst sunday prychyd a-for the quen (age 27) master Sandys (age 42), the bysshope of Wossetur.
On 1st January 1562 the New Years Gift Giving was held. Those who gave gifts provide an interesting who's who of the Elizabethan Court soon after Elizabeth I's Coronation. Queen Elizabeth (age 28) was present since a number are described as "With the Qene her Majestie."
For 'dimy' read 'demi' ie half-sovereigns.
Neweeyeur's Gyftes gevon to the Quene her Majestie by those Parsons whose Names hereafter ensue, the first of January, the Yere above wrytten.
By the Lady Margaret Strainge (age 22), a little round mounte of golde to conteyne a pomaunder in it. With the Qene her Majestie. Note. Lady Margaret Strange married Henry Stanley Lord Strange (age 30) on 07 Feb 1555. In 1561 he had not succeeded to Earldom of Derby and was known by the courtesy title Lord Strange. She is listed first since she was one of the few remaining direct descendants of Henry VII, being a great-granddaughter by his daughter Mary Tudor. Margaret Clifford was first in line to succeed in 1568 but died in 1596 before Elizabeth I.
Dukes, Marquises and Earls.
By the Duke of Norfolke (age 25), in a purse of purple silke and golde knit, in sundry coynes of golde £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Winchester (age 79), High Threasourer of Englande, in a purse of crymsen satten, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Marquis of Northampton (age 50), in a purse of crymsen silke and gold knit, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Arundell (age 49), Lord Steward, in a paper, in angels, £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Shrewesburye (age 34), in a red silke purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Darbye (age 52), in a purse of crymsen satten, embraudered with golde, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Pembroke (age 61), in a purse of black silk and silver knit, in new angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Bedforde (age 35), in a purse of black silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Rutlande (age 35), in a purse of red silk and golde knytt, in dimy soveraigns and angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Huntingdon, in a red silk purse, in angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Westmerlande (age 37), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Oxforde (age 46), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £10 0s 0d.
By the Earle of Northumberlande (age 34), in a purse of black silke and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d. With the Quene her Highness.
By the Earle of Warwike (age 32), a smocke wrought with black silk, a peire of slevis, and a partelett wrought with gold, silver, and black silke. Delivered to the Baroness Cobham (age 23).
By the Viscounte Mountague (age 33), in a purse of cloth of golde, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Bishops. The list of Bishops ends with "With her said Majestie"; unclear whether this refers to all the Bishops listed.
By the Archbusshop of Caunterbury (age 57), in a red silk purse, in dimy soveraigns £40 0s 0d.
By the Archbusshop of York (age 61), in soveraigns £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Duresme (age 42), in a purse of crymson silk and gold knytt, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Ely (age 69), in a red vellat purse, in angells £30 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Wynchester (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt and set with pearles, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of London (age 43), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Salisbury (age 39), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Worcester (age 43), in a black vellat purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lyncoln (age 42), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chychester (age 64), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Norwich (age 50), in a blew silk purse £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Hereforde (age 52), in a green silk purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Lychfield and Coventry (age 48), in a red satten purse, in angells £13 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Rochester (age 48), in a red purse, in gold £13 6s 8d.
By the Busshop of Saint Davies (age 55), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Bathe, in a purse of red silk, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Exetour, in a blew silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Peterborowe, in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Busshop of Chester, in a red purse, in angells and soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Duchesses and Countesses.
By the Duchess of Norfolke (age 22), in a prse of crymsen silk and gold knyt, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Duchess of Somerset (age 65), in a purse of silver and black silk, in royalls and ducketts £14 0s 0d. Probably the Dowager Duchess of Somerset since her husband Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset had been executed in 1552, and their children disinherited as a result.
By the Countess of Surrey, in a purse of tawny silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Dowager since her husband Henry Howard 1516-1547, by courtesy Earl Surrey, had been executed in 1547.
By the Countess of Pembroke (age 38), in a cherry bag of crymsen satten, in new angells £15 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Bedford (age 36), in a purse of crymsen silk and silver knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Darby (age 51), in a purse of crymson sattin embrodred with gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Oxford (age 36), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury, Dowager (age 62), in a purse of black silk knytt, in dimy soveraignes £12 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Shrewisbury (age 37), in a red silk purse knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon, Dowager (age 51), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Huntingdon (age 24), in a red purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Northumberland (age 24), in a purse of black silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Countess of Rutland (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
Viscountesses.
By the Vicountess Hereford, Dowager (age 42), six hankercheffes edged with gold delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Vicountess Mountague (age 23), in a purse of cloth of gold, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
Lordes.
By the Lorde Keeper of the Great Seale, Bacon (age 51), in a purse of silver knytt, in angells £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde William Howard, Lord Chamberlen (age 52), in a purse of crymsen silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Pagett (age 56), in a greene purse in dimy soveraignes £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Clynton, Lord Admyrall (age 50), in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Riche (age 65), in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde North (age 66), in a purse of purple silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Lumley (age 29), in a paper, in angells £20 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Hastings of Loughboro (age 41), in a red silk purse, in French crowns £13 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Stafford (age 60), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Windsor (age 30), in a purse of crymsn silk and gold knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
by Lorde John Graye (age 38), a haunce pott of allabaster garnished with silver gilt. Delivered in charge to John Asteley, Esq Master and Threasourer of her Highnes Jewels and Plate. Lord John Grey assumed to be a courtesy title his father being Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset.
By the Lorde Barkeley (age 27), in a red purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Mountejoye (age 29), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Abergavennye (age 36), in a purse of red silke, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Scrowpe (age 28), in a purse of blak silk and silver knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Caree of Hundesdon (age 35), in a purse of crymsen silk, in double ducketts £13 6s 8d.
By the Lorde Strainge, in a purse of red silk and gold, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d. Lord Strange being the courtesy title for the Earldom of Derby. He wouldn't inherit until 1572.
By the Lorde Darcey of Chichey (age 30), in a red purse, in dimy soveraignes, £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shefild (age 24), in a red silk purse, in gold £10 0s 0d.
By the Lorde Shandowes (age 40), in a blak silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
Ladyes.
By the Baroness Howarde (age 47), in a purse of crymsen silk and knytt, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Clinton (age 35), a peire of sleevis of gold, pulled out with lawne. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Baroness Genevillet, in gold £6 13s 4d.
By the Lady Barkeley (age 24), Lord Barkeley's wife, in gold £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Mountejoye (age 30), in a red silk purse, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Abergavenny, in a red satten purse, in dimy soveraignes £5 0s 0d.
By the Lady Caree of Hundesdon (age 33), in a blak purse knytt, in angells £10 0s 0d.
By the Lady Taylboyes, Sir Peter Carewe's (age 48) wyfe, in a purse of blak silk and silver, in dimy soveraignes £10 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Baroness Cobham, a partelett and a peire of sleeves of sypers wrought with silver and blak silke. Re-delivered to herself.
By the Lady Dakers (age 21), a warming ball of gold, per oz. 3 oz. dim. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shefilde (age 20), a paire of sleeves wrought with fringe of blak silk and lozeng of gold. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Margaret Baroness Scrope (age 18), in a purse of blak silk and silver, in angells £7 0s 0d. With her said Majestie.
By the Lady Shandowes (age 38), a peire of sleeves and a partlett of gold and silver knytt, cawle fashion. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
By the Lady Knowlles (age 38), a feyne carpett of needleworke, theverende frienged and buttoned with gold and silk. Delivered to John Torneworth, Groom of the Privy Chamber.
By the Lady Butler, in a little white purse, in French crowns £6 0s 0d. With her said Majestie. Unclear as to who Lady Butler refers to.
By the Lady Raclyef, a peire of sleeves of cameryk, all over sett with purle, and two sweet bags. Delivered to the said Baroness Cobham.
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In 1570 Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 51) was consecrated Bishop of London.
In 1576 Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 57) was consecrated Archbishop of York.
In 1584 [his wife] Cecily Wilford died.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In 1586 Samuel Sandes (age 25) and Mercy Culpepper (age 24) were married at Southwell Minster [Map]. He the son of Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 67) and Cecily Wilford.
On 10th July 1588 Archbishop Edwin Sandes (age 69) died. He was buried in Southwell Minster [Map].
Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. This day was doctor Sandes,b Veron, Easy 11, and about v. prisoners more, removed out of the Tower to the Mershallsee.
Note b. Doctor Sandys (who was afterwards bishop of London) was vice-chancellor of Cambridge, and was compromised by the reception he had there given to the duke of Northumberland, and a sermon he had preached favourable to the accession of queen Jane. Veron and Basil had been committed, together with the more celebrated Bradford, as "seditious preachers," (see notes to Machyn's Diary, p. 332).
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Sandes of St Bees
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Sandes
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sandes
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sandes
GrandFather: George Sandes
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Rawson
Father: William Sandes
Mother: Margaret Dixon of Lindale