Biography of Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester 1568-1648

Paternal Family Tree: Chichester

Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Ilam 1460

In 1529 [his father] John Chichester and [his mother] Gertrude Courtenay (age 8) were married.

In 1568 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester was born to [his father] John Chichester and [his mother] Gertrude Courtenay (age 47).

In 1569 [his father] John Chichester died.

In 1605 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 37) and Anne Copleston (age 17) were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.

In 1606 [his brother] Arthur Chichester 1st Baron Chichester (age 42) and [his sister-in-law] Lettice Perrot Baroness Chichester (age 46) were married.

On 16th June 1606 [his son] Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal was born to Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 38) and [his wife] Anne Copleston (age 18). He married (1) before 1630 Dorcas Hill and had issue (2) after 1630 his half sixth cousin Mary Digby Countess Donegal, daughter of John Digby 1st Earl Bristol and Beatrice Walcott (3) 13th August 1651 Letitia Hicks Countess Donegal, daughter of William Hicks 1st Baronet and Margaret Paget Lady Beverston, and had issue.

In 1609 [his son] Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester was born to Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 41) and [his wife] Anne Copleston (age 21). He married before 1647 Mary Jones and had issue.

In 1611 [his son] Edward Chichester was born to Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 43) and [his wife] Anne Copleston (age 23).

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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In 1613 [his brother] Arthur Chichester 1st Baron Chichester (age 49) was created 1st Baron Chichester of Belfast. [his sister-in-law] Lettice Perrot Baroness Chichester (age 53) by marriage Baroness Chichester of Belfast.

In 1616 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 48) was knighted.

In 1616 [his wife] Anne Copleston (age 28) died.

In 1624 [his son-in-law] William Wrey 2nd Baronet (age 24) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Chichester Lady Wrey were married. They were half second cousin twice removed.

On 19th February 1625 [his brother] Arthur Chichester 1st Baron Chichester (age 61) died of pleurisy. He was buried in St Nicholas' Church, Carrickfergus, County Antrim.

After 19th February 1625 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 57) was created 1st Viscount Chichester of Carrickfergus, 1st Baron Chichester of Belfast.

After 19th February 1625 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 57) was appointed Lord High Admiral Lough Neagh.

After 19th February 1625 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 57) was appointed Governor of Carrickfergus.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

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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Before 1630 [his son] Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Dorcas Hill (age 22) were married.

After 1630 [his son] Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Digby Countess Donegal (age 18) were married. She the daughter of John Digby 1st Earl Bristol (age 49) and Beatrice Walcott. They were half sixth cousins.

Before 1647 [his son] Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester (age 37) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Jones were married.

In 1647 [his son] Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester (age 38) died.

On 8th July 1648 Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 80) died. His son Arthur (age 42) succeeded 2nd Viscount Chichester of Carrickfergus, 3rd Baron Chichester of Belfast. [his daughter-in-law] Mary Digby Countess Donegal (age 36) by marriage Viscountess Chichester of Carrickfergus.

[his daughter] Mary Chichester was born to Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester and Anne Copleston.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Chichester Lady Wrey was born to Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester and Anne Copleston. She married 1624 her half second cousin twice removed William Wrey 2nd Baronet, son of William Wrey 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Courtenay, and had issue.