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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On 7th February 1812 Charles Dickens was born.
On 2nd April 1836 Charles Dickens (age 24) and Catherine Dickens nee Hogarth (age 20) were married.
On 29th October 1839 [his daughter] Catherine "Kate" Perugini nee Dickens was born to Charles Dickens (age 27) and [his wife] Catherine Dickens nee Hogarth (age 24). She married (1) 1860 Charles Allston Collins (2) 4th June 1874 Charles Edward Perugini.
On 17th December 1843 the first print run of 6,000 copies of Charles Dicken's (age 31) 'A Christmas Carol' was completd. On 19th December 1843 it was made available to the public and all 6,000 copies sold out by the end of Christmas Eve. The book included for colour and four black and white etchings by John Leech: 1. Marley’s Ghost, 2. Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball, 3. Scrooge’s Third Visitor, 4. The Last of the Spirits.
1859. William Powell Frith (age 39). "Charles Dickens (age 46) in His Study".
In 1860 [his son-in-law] Charles Allston Collins (age 31) and [his daughter] Catherine "Kate" Perugini nee Dickens (age 20) were married.
1870. Frederick Hollyer (age 31). Photograph of Charles Dickens (age 57).
On 9th June 1870 Charles Dickens (age 58) died.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 22nd November 1879 [his former wife] Catherine Dickens nee Hogarth (age 64) died.