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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: Ricketts aka Jervis
On 19th April 1757 [his father] William Henry Ricketts (age 20) and [his mother] Mary Jervis (age 20) were married.
On 4th November 1764 Captain William Henry Ricketts aka Jervis was born to [his father] William Henry Ricketts (age 27) and [his mother] Mary Jervis (age 27) at Park Street, Grosvenor Square, Belgravia.
In 1781 William Ricketts (age 16) entered the service aboard the Foudroyant commanded by his uncle [his uncle] John Jervis (age 45).
On 20th April 1782 the Foudroyant captured the Pégase 74 after a long chase off Brest. William Ricketts (age 17) was present.
On 5th September 1782 William Ricketts (age 17) was promoted to Lieutenant, and he joined the Success.
On 5th September 1782 William Ricketts (age 17) was promoted to Commander.
On 29th January 1790 [his brother] Edward Jervis Ricketts aka Jervis 2nd Viscount St Vincent (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Cassandra Twisleton (age 15) were married.
In 1792 [his future wife] Elizabeth Jane Lambert (age 16) was awarded damages of four thousand guineas against a newspaper which had alleged that she had eloped with a footman.
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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On 9th November 1793 Captain William Henry Ricketts aka Jervis (age 29) and Elizabeth Jane Lambert (age 18) were married.
In 1799 [his brother] Edward Jervis Ricketts aka Jervis 2nd Viscount St Vincent (age 31) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Cassandra Twisleton (age 24) were divorced.
In 1799 Captain William Henry Ricketts aka Jervis (age 34) and Elizabeth Jane Lambert (age 23) were divorced by an Act of Parliament following Elizabeth's infidelity with a Captain Hargrave of the Lancashire Fencibles, whereupon Jervis was awarded a thousand guineas damages.
On 5th October 1799 [his father] William Henry Ricketts (age 62) died. Captain William Henry Ricketts aka Jervis (age 34) and [his brother] Edward Jervis Ricketts aka Jervis 2nd Viscount St Vincent (age 32) jointly inherited the estate of Mount Ricketts in Jamaica with a deferral of twenty-one years, together with the estate of Canaan on that island.
The London Gazette 15336. Whitehall, April 21, 1801. The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Viscount of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honorable [his uncle] John Earl of St. Vincent (age 66), Knight of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and Admiral of the White Squadron of His Majesty's Fleet, and to the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten by the Name, Style, and Title of Viscount St. Vincent, of Meaford, in the County of Stafford, with Remainders severally and successively to William Henry Ricketts (age 36), Esq; Captain in the Royal Navy, and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten; to [his brother] Edward Jervis Ricketts (age 34), Esq; Barrister at Law, Brother of the said William Henry Ricketts, and Sons of [his mother] Mary Ricketts (age 64) by [his father] William Henry Ricketts. Esq; late of the Island of Jamaica, deceased, and Sister to the said John Earl of St. Vincent, and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, and the Dignity of Viscountess St. Vincent, of Meaford, in the said County.of Stafford, to the Right Honourable [his sister] Mary Countess of Northesk (age 32), Daughter of the said Mary Ricketts, and Widow of William Henry Ricketts aforesaid, and the Dignity of Viscount St. Vincent to the Heirs Male of her Body lawfully be gotten.
On 26th January 1805 Captain William Henry Ricketts aka Jervis (age 40) drowned at Brest when the four-oared gig in which he and Captain Patrick Campbell of the Doris had set off to attend Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Cotton (age 47) aboard his flagship San Josef capsized. Campbell survived by clinging to an oar, but Jervis died despite the valiant efforts of his coxswain who stayed with his captain until he could no longer save him.
On 17th January 1830 [his former wife] Elizabeth Jane Lambert (age 54) died.
Father: William Henry Ricketts
Captain William Henry Ricketts aka Jervis
GrandFather: Swynfen Jervis
Mother: Mary Jervis