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Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.

In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.

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Biography of Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland 1620-1643

Paternal Family Tree: Spencer

Maternal Family Tree: Jeanne Sabran

In 1615 [his father] William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer (age 23) and [his mother] Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Spencer Wormleighton. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 41) and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton (age 43). They were fourth cousins.

Before 23rd November 1620 Henry Spencer 1st was born to [his father] William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer (age 29) and [his mother] Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton (age 22) at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map].

On 23rd November 1620 Henry Spencer 1st was christened at St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Brington, Northamptonshire.

On 25th October 1627 [his grandfather] Robert Spencer 1st Baron Spencer (age 57) died. His son [his father] William (age 36) succeeded 2nd Baron Spencer Wormleighton.

Between 1634 and 1643 [his brother-in-law] John Craven 1st Baron Craven (age 23) and [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 17) were married.

On 31st August 1636 Henry Spencer 1st (age 15) graduated at Magdalen College, Oxford University.

On 19th December 1636 [his father] William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer (age 45) died. His son Henry (age 16) succeeded 3rd Baron Spencer Wormleighton.

On 20th July 1639, some sources say 11th July 1639, Henry Spencer 1st (age 18) and Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 21) were married at Penhurst Rother. She by marriage Baroness Spencer Wormleighton. Her long-term suitor, she was the 'Sacharissa' of his poems, Edmund Waller (age 33) wrote a letter to the bride's sister (age 12) on the occasion of the wedding. She the daughter of Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester (age 43) and Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester (age 41). They were third cousins.

Madam,

In this common joy at Penshurst, I know none to whom complaints may come less unseasonably than to your ladyship, the loss of a bedfellow being almost equal to that of a mistress; and therefore you ought at least to pardon, if you consent not to the imprecations of, the deserted, which just Heaven no doubt will hear. May my lady Dorothy, if we may yet call her so, suffer as much, and have the like passion for this young lord, whom she has preferred to the rest of mankind, as others have had for her; and may his love, before the year go about, make her taste of the first curse imposed upon womankind, the pains of becoming a mother. May her first born be none of her own sex, nor so like her but that he may resemble her lord as much as herself. May she that always affected silence and retirement have the house filled with the noise and number of her children, and hereafter of her grandchildren; and then may she arrive at that great curse, so much declined by fair ladies, old age; may she live to be very old and yet seem young; be told so by her glass, and have no aches to inform her of the truth; and when she shall appear to be mortal, may her lord not mourn for her, but go hand in hand with her to that place where we are told there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage, that being there divorced we may all have an equal interest in her again! My revenge being immortal, I wish all this may befall her posterity to the world's end and afterwards! To you, madam, I wish all good things, and that this loss may in good time be happily supplied with a more constant bedfellow of the other sex. Madam, I humbly kiss your hands, and beg pardon for this trouble, from

Your ladyship's

most humble servant,

E. Waller.

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In 1640 [his daughter] Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile was born to Henry Spencer 1st (age 19) and [his wife] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 22). She married 1656 her half sixth cousin George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax, son of William Savile 3rd Baronet and Anne Coventry Baroness Savile, and had issue.

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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On 5th September 1641 [his son] Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland was born to Henry Spencer 1st (age 20) and [his wife] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 23) at Paris [Map]. He married 9th June 1665 his half fifth cousin Anne Digby Countess Sunderland, daughter of George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol and Anne Russell Countess Bristol, and had issue.

In 1642 [his daughter] Penelope Spencer was born to Henry Spencer 1st (age 21) and [his wife] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 24).

In 1643 Henry Spencer 1st (age 22) was created 1st Earl of Sunderland. [his wife] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 25) by marriage Countess of Sunderland.

On 21st March 1643 [his brother-in-law] John Craven 1st Baron Craven (age 32) was created 1st Baron Craven of Ryton in Shropshire. [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 26) by marriage Baroness Craven of Ryton in Shropshire.

On 20th September 1643 Henry Spencer 1st (age 22) died. His son Robert (age 2) succeeded 2nd Earl of Sunderland, 4th Baron Spencer Wormleighton.

John Evelyn's Diary. 28th May 1656. The [his uncle] Earl of Southampton (age 49) (since Treasurer) and [his brother] Mr. Spencer (age 27), brother to the Earl of Sunderland, came to see my garden.

On 5th February 1684 [his former wife] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 66) died.

Royal Ancestors of Henry Spencer 1st

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Henry Spencer 1st
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [1]

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [1]

Ancestors of Henry Spencer 1st

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Spencer

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Spencer

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Graunt

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Spencer

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Knightley

Great x 3 Grandmother: Susan Knightley

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Spencer

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson

Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Kitson

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath

GrandFather: Robert Spencer 1st Baron Spencer

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Catlyn

Father: William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer 8 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Markham

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 11 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Filiol of Woodlands and Filiols Hall

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Filiol

Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Willoughby 6 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Grey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset

GrandMother: Margaret Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Lyttelton

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lyttelton

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lyttelton of Frankley 5 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Talbot 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot 4 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Paston 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lyttelton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Pakington

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Pakington of Hampton Lovett

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Washbourne

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bridget Packington

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Dacres of Mayfield

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Dacres

Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Writhe

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Wriothesley

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Drayton of London

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cheney

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cheney of Chesham Blois in Buckinghamshire

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Cheney Countess Southampton

GrandFather: Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton 7 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 6 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 2 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Gage

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Gage

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Guildford

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Browne Countess Southampton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Radclyffe 9th Baron Fitzwalter 8 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex 9 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Whetehill

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Radclyffe 6 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Stanley Countess Sussex 5 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Derby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of

Mother: Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 12 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Vernon 6 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Talbot 5 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 2 Grandfather: George Vernon 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Ludlow 12 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Ludlow 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey 2 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Vernon 5 x Great Grand Son of

GrandMother: Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Devereux 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 7 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bourchier Baroness Ferrers Chartley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Devereux 6 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Hastings 5 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of