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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Biography of Elizabeth Cole Lady Wheler -1670

Elizabeth Cole Lady Wheler was born to [her father] Michael Cole of Kensington, Middlesex.

Execution of Charles I

On 29th January 1649. In Echard's England (vol. ii, p. 639, edit. 1718) it is stated that early in the rebellion King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 48) confided to Elizabeth Cole Lady Wheler, his former laundres, a casket, which she restored to him the night before his execution.

Before 6th August 1666 William Wheler 1st Baronet (age 55) and Elizabeth Cole Lady Wheler were married. She was a laundress to King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.

On 6th August 1666 [her husband] William Wheler 1st Baronet (age 55) died. He was buried at All Saints Church, Derby [Map]. His half first cousin Charles (age 46) succeeded 2nd Baronet Wheler of the City of Westminster. Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 40) by marriage Lady Wheler of the City of Westminster.

On or before 20th September 1670 Elizabeth Cole Lady Wheler died. She was buried on 20th September 1670 at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map].