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 1750 Daniel Gardner was born.
Before 1767 Daniel Gardner [aged 16] was a pupil of George Romney [aged 32].
In 1767 Daniel Gardner [aged 17]. Portrait of George Montagu Dunk 2nd Earl Halifax [aged 50] in conversation with his secretaries. He wearing his Leg Garter.
In 1770 Daniel Gardner [aged 20] travelled to London and became a student at the Royal Academy of Arts where he was taught by Johan Joseph Zoffany [aged 36].
Around 1773. Daniel Gardner [aged 23]. Portrait of Angelica Kauffmann [aged 31].
In 1775 Daniel Gardner [aged 25]. "The Three Witches from Macbeth". From the National Portrait Gallery: "This unusual group portrait depicts three of the most politically influential and socially notorious women of the period. They are, from left to right, the society ladies and political hostesses Elizabeth Lamb [aged 23], Viscountess Melbourne, Georgiana [aged 17], Duchess of Devonshire and the sculptor Anne Seymour Damer [aged 26]. All three women were intimate friends sharing a common passion for Whig politics and the arts."
Around 1776. Daniel Gardner [aged 26]. Portrait of Emma Colebrooke Countess Tankerville [aged 24].
Emma Colebrooke Countess Tankerville: In 1752 she was born to James Colebrooke 1st Baronet. On 7th October 1771 Charles Bennet 4th Earl Tankerville and she were married at Gatton, Surrey. She by marriage Countess Tankerville. He the son of Charles Bennet 3rd Earl Tankerville and Alice Astley Countess Tankerville. In 1836 Emma Colebrooke Countess Tankerville died.
Around 1780 Daniel Gardner [aged 30]. Portrait of Jane Maxwell Duchess Gordon [aged 32] wearing a green riding habit.
1783. Daniel Gardner [aged 33]. Portrait of Mary Whitbread Lady Grey [aged 13].
Mary Whitbread Lady Grey: In 1770 she was born to Samuel Whitbread and Mary Cornwallis. On 18th June 1795 George Grey 1st Baronet and she were married. Her brother Samuel had married her husband George's sister Elizabeth six years earlier. See Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. He the son of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey. On 29th July 1814 George Grey 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Grey of Fallodon. She by marriage Lady Grey of Fallodon. On 9th May 1858 she died at Eaton Place Pimlico.
Before 1804 Daniel Gardner [aged 53]. Portrait of Charlotte Augusta Hill Countess Talbot.
Before 1805 Daniel Gardner [aged 54]. Portrait of Charlotte Granville Lady Williams-Wynn [aged 50].
Charlotte Granville Lady Williams-Wynn: Around 1754 she was born to George Granville and Elizabeth Wyndham at Llanforda, Oswestry. In December 1771 Watkin Williams-Wynn 4th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Williams of Gray's Inn. On 29th September 1830 Charlotte Granville Lady Williams-Wynn died.
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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Before 1805 Daniel Gardner [aged 54]. Portrait of Albinia Bertie Countess Buckinghamshire [aged 66].
On 8th July 1805 Daniel Gardner [aged 55] died.