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All About History Books
The 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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Paternal Family Tree: Lyttelton
In or before 1505 [his father] Richard Littleton (age 52) and [his mother] Alice Winnesbury (age 52) were married.
In 1505 Edward Littleton was born to [his father] Richard Littleton (age 53) and [his mother] Alice Winnesbury (age 53).
On 18th May 1516 [his father] Richard Littleton (age 64) died.
by 1522 Edward Littleton (age 17) was appointed Gentleman Usher. Around the same time he was appointed Constable of Stafford Castle.
Before 1523 Edward Littleton (age 17) and Helen Swynnerton were married.
Around 1523 [his son] Edward Littleton of Pillaton Hall was born to Edward Littleton (age 18) and [his wife] Helen Swynnerton at Pillaton Hall. He married in or before 1548 Alice Cockayne and had issue.
In 1523 Edward Littleton (age 18) was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire.
In 1529 [his mother] Alice Winnesbury (age 77) died. Her son Edward Littleton (age 24) inherited Pillaton Hall.
All About History Books
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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Around July 1529 Edward Littleton (age 24) was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire. His senior colleague was his neighbour John Giffard (age 63).
Before April 1533 Edward Littleton (age 28) and Isabel Wood were married.
In 1536 Edward Littleton (age 31) was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire.
In 1537 [his daughter] Constance Littleton was born to Edward Littleton (age 32). Mother unclear. Either [his wife] Helen Swynnerton or [his wife] Isabel Wood. The latter more likely since her marriage took place before Apr 1533. She married James Foljambe and had issue.
In 1539 Edward Littleton (age 34) was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire.
On 9th May 1546 George Blagge (age 34) was induced to deny the efficacy of the Mass, by trickery he alleged, while walking home after church. He was immediately summoned by Thomas Wriothesley (age 40), the Lord Chancellor, and sent to Newgate Prison [Map]. At his trial at the Guildhall [Map], the main witnesses for the prosecution were Littleton (age 41) and Sir Hugh Calverley (age 42), MP for Cheshire. On their evidence, Blagge was sentenced to be burned for heresy the following Wednesday. Fortunately for him, the Lord Privy Seal, John Russell (age 61), appealed on his behalf to the king (age 54), who had not heard of the proceedings to that point. Henry immediately pardoned Blagge and ordered Wriothesley to release him.
In or before 1548 [his son] Edward Littleton of Pillaton Hall (age 24) and [his daughter-in-law] Alice Cockayne (age 12) were married.
Around April 1554 Edward Littleton (age 49) was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire.
In 1555 Edward Littleton (age 50) was elected Knight of the Shire Staffordshire.
All About History Books
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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Around 1558. St Michael's Church, Penkridge [Map]. Monument to Edward Littleton (age 53) and his two wives [his wife] Helen Swynnerton and [his wife] Isabel Wood. His first wife Helen Swynnerton on his right with the simpler English gabled hood, his second wife on his wife with the later, more complex, French Hood. Armorials of Littleton, Wood and Swynnerton families. Sculpted by Richard and Gabriel Royley of Burton-upon-Trent.
Helen Swynnerton: she was born to Humphrey Swynnerton of Swynnerton. Before 1523 Edward Littleton and she were married.
Isabel Wood: Before April 1533 Edward Littleton and she were married.
On 20th October 1558 Edward Littleton (age 53) died.
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guy de Westcote
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Westcote aka Lyttelton
GrandFather: Thomas Westcote
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Lyttelton III
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Lyttelton IV
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lyttelton
Father: Richard Littleton
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Burley
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Burley
Great x 4 Grandmother: Amice Pembridge
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Burley
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Burley
GrandMother: Joan Burley
GrandFather: William Winnesbury
Mother: Alice Winnesbury