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: Booth
Around 1420 Archbishop Lawrence Booth was born illegitimately to [his father] John Booth of Barton in Lancashire (age 66).
In 1422 [his father] John Booth of Barton in Lancashire (age 68) died at Winmarleigh, Lancashire.
In 1449 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 29) was appointed Prebendary St Paul's Cathedral.
From 1454 to 1456 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 34) was appointed Archdeacon Richmond.
Around 1456 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 36) was appointed Lord Keeper of the Great Seal which position he held until 1460.
On 2nd November 1456 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 36) was appointed Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.
On 25th September 1457 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 37) was appointed Bishop of Durham.
Patent Rolls. 8th February 1462. Appointment of Laurence, Bishop of Durham (age 42), the king's kinsman John, Earl of Worcester (age 34), Robert Botell, prior of St. John of Jerusalem in England, John Wenlok of Wenlok, knight, and Master Robert Stillington (age 42), doctor of laws, keeper of the privy seal, as ambassadors to treat with the king's kinsman John de He, Earl of Rosse and lord of the Isles.
On 15th March 1465 [his half-brother] Bishop John Booth was appointed Bishop of Exeter.
On 27th July 1473 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 53) was appointed Lord Chancellor serving until May 1474.
In 1476 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 56) was translated to Archbishop of York.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Patent Rolls. 15th February 1478. Charter to the king's nephew Edward Plantagenet (age 4), first-born son of the said duke (age 25), creating him earl of Salisbury, with remainder to the heirs of his body, and granting to him and his said heirs £20 yearly from the issues of the county of Wilts. Witnesses: Th. cardinal archbishop of Canterbury (age 60), L. archbishop of York (age 58), Th. Bishop of Lincoln (age 54), the chancellor, J. Bishop of Rochester, keeper of the privy seal, Richard, duke of Gloucester, Henry, duke of Buckingham (age 23), Henry, Earl of Essex (age 74), treasurer of England, Anthony Earl of Ryvers (age 38), chief butler of England, and Thomas Stanley of Stanley (age 43), steward of the household, and William Hastynges of Hastynges (age 47), chamberlain of the household, knights. By p.s.
On 5th April 1478 [his half-brother] Bishop John Booth died.
On 19th May 1480 Archbishop Lawrence Booth (age 60) died. He was buried at Southwell Minster [Map].
GrandFather: Thomas Booth 