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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Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet
Maternal Family Tree: Aoife ni Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188
1397 Murder of Thomas of Woodstock
1397 Arrest and Execution of Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 11th Earl Arundel
In 1374 [his father] Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 18] and [his mother] Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 8] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton and [his grandmother] Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton [aged 27]. He the son of King Edward III of England [aged 61] and Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England. They were second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
Around 1381 Humphrey Plantagenet 2nd Earl Buckingham was born to Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 25] and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 15]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.67%.
On 19th December 1387 an army of the Lords Appellant led by the future King Henry IV of England [aged 20] prevented the forces of King Richard II of England [aged 20] commanded by Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland [aged 25] from crossing the bridge [Map] over the River Thames at Radcot in Oxfordshire. When [his father] Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 32] arrived with further Lord Appellant's men the King's men were encircled. The King's men attempted to force the crossing of the bridge at which time the only casualties occurred including Thomas Molyneux [aged 49] who was killed by Thomas Mortimer [aged 37]. Around 800 men drowned in the marshes whilst trying to escape. Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland narrowly escaped to France.
Around 1390 Thomas Stafford 3rd Earl Stafford [aged 22] and [his sister] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 7] were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She would, eight years later marry his younger brother Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford [aged 11]; an example of a Married to Two Siblings. She the daughter of [his father] Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 34] and [his mother] Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 24]. He the son of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 56]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Froissart Book 4 Chapter 92. 1397. The resentments of the citizens began to cool, and they offered to mediate between the king [aged 29] and the duke of Lancaster [aged 56], who was mightily angered by the murder of his brother [aged 41]. He bethought himself, however, that as his nephew was married to the daughter [aged 7] of the king of France [aged 28], should he wage war against king Richard, his two daughters married in Castille and Portugal might suffer for it, from the French carrying a war into those countries. The duke was beside forced to change his mind, whether he would or not, from the solicitations of the citizens of London and some of the English prelates, who had been the mediators between the king and his uncles. The king obtained peace, on promising from that day forward to be solely guided by the advice of the duke of Lancaster, engaging never to do anything without first consulting him. The promise, however, he paid not any regard to, but followed the counsels of the rash and evil-minded, for which hereafter he severely suffered, as shall be related in this history. Thus did the king of England gain peace from his uncles for the murder of the duke of Gloucester, and now governed more fiercely than before. He went with his state to Pleshy [Map] in Essex, which had belonged to his uncle of Gloucester, and should have descended to his son Humphrey [aged 16] as heir to his father; but the king took possession of it, for it is the rule in England for the king to have the wardship of all children who have lost their fathers, and are under twenty-one years of age at which period their estates are restored to them. King Richard took his cousin Humphrey of Gloucester in ward, appropriating all his possessions to his own profit. He made him live with him, and the duchess [aged 31] and her two daughters with the queen.
Froissart Book 4 Chapter 92. 1397. The late [his father] duke of Gloucester [aged 41] was by inheritance constable of England; but the king [aged 29] deprived his heir [aged 16] of it, and gave it to his cousin the earl of Rutland [aged 24]. The king now assumed a greater state than ever king of England had done before, nor had there been any one who had expended such large sums by one hundred thousand nobles. He also took the wardship of the heir [aged 15] of Arundel [aged 51], son to the late earl whom he had beheaded in London, as has been related, and forced him to live with him. And because one of the knights of the late duke of Gloucester, named Cerbec, had spoken too freely of the king and council, he was arrested and instantly beheaded. Sir John Lacquingay was likewise in some peril; but, when he saw the turn affairs had taken, he quitted the service of the [his mother] duchess of Gloucester [aged 31], and fixed his abode elsewhere. At this period there was no one, however great, in England, that dared speak his sentiments of what the king did or intended doing. He had formed a council of his own from the knights of his chamber, who encouraged him to act as they advised. The king had in his pay full two thousand archers, who were on guard day and night, for he did not think himself perfectly safe from his uncles or the Arundel family.1
Note 1. For more ample particulars respecting the murder of the duke of Gloucester, I must refer the reader to Mr. Gough's History of Pleshy.
Around 8th September 1397 [his father] Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 42] was murdered in Calais [Map] for his role as leader of the Lords Appellant. Duke Albemarle, Duke Gloucester, Earl Essex forfeit. His son Humphrey [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Earl Buckingham.
Walter Clopton was part of the inquiry into his death the outcome of which is not known. A John Hall was executed for the murder.
Froissart Book 4 Chapter 92. [21st September 1397]. The [his mother] duchess of Gloucester [aged 31], her son Humphrey [aged 16], and her two daughters, were sorely grieved when the body of the duke arrived. The duchess had double cause of affliction, for the earl of Arundel [aged 51], her uncle, had been publicly beheaded in Cheapside [Map] by orders of the king. No baron nor knight dared to interpose, nor advise the king to do otherwise, for he was himself present at the execution, which was performed by the earl's son-in-law, the earl-marshal [aged 29], who bandaged his eyes.
On 28th June 1398 Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford [aged 20] and [his sister] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She had, around eight years previously, married his brother Thomas Stafford 3rd Earl Stafford who had died in 1392; an example of Married to Two Siblings. She the daughter of [his father] Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester and [his mother] Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 32]. He the son of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 64]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 2nd September 1399 Humphrey Plantagenet 2nd Earl Buckingham [aged 18] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. Earl Buckingham extinct.
Kings Wessex: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 9 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 10 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Malcolm III of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 2 Grand Son of King Philip IV of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 14 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 6 Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: King John of England 
Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Raymond IV Count Provence 
Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence 14 x Great Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon 
Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Simon Dammartin 10 x Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon 2 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
GrandFather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Louis IX of France 
Son of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip III of France Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Provence Queen Consort France Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Philip IV of France Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: James I King Aragon Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England Daughter of King Philip IV of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald IV King Navarre 
Great Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry I King Navarre 2 x Great Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Bourbon Queen Consort Navarre 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois Son of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Father: Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bouchard Avesnes
Great x 3 Grandfather: John of Avesnes I Count Hainaut 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret II Countess Flanders 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John of Avesnes II Count Hainaut II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Floris Gerulfing IV Count Holland 
2 x Great Grand Son of King David I of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Adelaide Gerulfing Countess Hainaut 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Reginar Countess Holland and Palatine Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William of Avesnes I Count Hainaut III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Waleran Luxemburg III Duke Limburg 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry "Great" Luxemburg V Count Luxemburg III Count Namur 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 4 Grandmother: Erminsende Namur Countess of Bar 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainaut and Holland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry of Bar II Count of Bar 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret of Bar Countess Luxemburg and Namur 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Capet Countess of Bar 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
GrandMother: Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Louis IX of France Son of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip III of France Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Provence Queen Consort France Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: James I King Aragon Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainaut Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Charles Capet of Sicily Son of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles II King Naples Grand Son of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephen V of Hungary 5 x Great Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cuman
Humphrey Plantagenet 2nd Earl Buckingham Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 
3 x Great Grand Son of King David I of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex 4 x Great Grand Son of King David I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor de Braose 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex 5 x Great Grand Son of King David I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Enguerrand Ingleram Fiennes 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Fiennes Countess Essex and Hereford 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Provence 
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon 2 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
GrandFather: Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gunselin Badlesmere 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Fitzbernard
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas de Clare 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 4th Lord Offaly 
6 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juliana Fitzgerald 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Emmeline Longespée Baroness Offaly Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Mother: Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzalan 7th Earl of Arundel 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Mortimer Countess Arundel 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas I Marquess Saluzzo 
5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Saluzzo Countess Arundel 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Warenne 7 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Lusignan Countess of Surrey 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert de Vere 5th Earl of Oxford 
7 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Vere 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Sanford Countess of Oxford
GrandMother: Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois Son of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth 9 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick 
7 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Beauchamp 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks