Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Paternal Family Tree: Russell
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Hussey 1389-1418
Before 1548 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 20) and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 14) were married. He the son of [her grandfather] John Russell 1st Earl Bedford (age 62) and [her grandmother] Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford (age 68).
On 7th July 1560 Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland was born to [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 33) and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 27).
On 27th August 1562 [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford (age 29) died at Woburn, Bedfordshire. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
In 1564 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 37) was appointed 349th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 30).
On 11th November 1565 [her brother-in-law] Ambrose Dudley 3rd Earl Warwick (age 35) and [her sister] Anne Russell Countess Warwick (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Warwick. She the daughter of [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 38) and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford. He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland.
On 25th June 1566 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 39) and [her step-mother] Bridget Hussey Countess Bedford (age 40) were married. She by marriage Countess Bedford. He the son of [her grandfather] John Russell 1st Earl Bedford and [her grandmother] Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford.
In January 1570 Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland (age 53) died. His son [her future husband] George (age 11) succeeded 3rd Earl of Cumberland, 13th Baron de Clifford, 13th Lord Skipton. Being underage his wardship went to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 36) who gave it to [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 43) whose daughter George subsequently married.
In 1577 George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 18) and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 16) were married. She being the daughter of Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 50) who had been given George's wardship by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 43). She by marriage Countess of Cumberland. She the daughter of Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford and Margaret St John Countess Bedford. He the son of Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland and Anne Dacre Countess Cumberland (age 56). They were third cousins.
Mid-Seventeeth Century copy of a 1583 original. Unknown Painter. Portrait of Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 22).
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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On 7th August 1583 [her brother-in-law] William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 25) and [her sister] Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath were married at St Mary Major Church, Exeter. She by marriage Countess Bath, Countess Eu. She the daughter of [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 56) and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford. They were half sixth cousins.
In 1584 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 57) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Devon.
In 1584 [her son] Francis Clifford was born to [her husband] George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 25) and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 23). He died aged five in 1589.
On 13th February 1585 [her brother] William Russell 1st Baron Russell (age 25) and [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Long Baroness Russel Thornhaugh were married at Watford, Hertfordshire. He the son of [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 58) and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford.
On 28th July 1585 [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford (age 58) died. His grandson Edward (age 12) succeeded 3rd Earl Bedford, 3rd Baron Russell of Cheneys.
On 21st September 1585 [her son] Robert Clifford was born to [her husband] George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 27) and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 25). He died aged five in 1591.
Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Monument to [her father] Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford and [her mother] Margaret St John Countess Bedford.
The armorials on the visible south side being, left to right:
Dudley Arms impaling 
Russell Arms. [her brother-in-law] Ambrose Dudley 3rd Earl Warwick (age 56) and [her sister] Anne Russell Countess Warwick (age 38).
Bourchier Arms impaling Russell Arms. William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath (age 28) and Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath
Clifford Arms impaling Russell Arms. George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 27) and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 25).
Around March 1589 [her brother-in-law] Francis Clifford 4th Earl of Cumberland (age 30) and Grisold Hughes Countess Cumberland were married. She by marriage Countess of Cumberland. He the son of Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland and [her mother-in-law] Anne Dacre Countess Cumberland.
On 8th December 1589 [her son] Francis Clifford (age 5) died.
On 30th January 1590 [her daughter] Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke was born to [her husband] George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 31) and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 29) at Skipton Castle [Map]. She married (1) 27th February 1609 her fourth cousin once removed Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset, son of Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset and Margaret Howard, and had issue (2) 1630 her half third cousin twice removed Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery, son of Henry Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke and Mary Sidney Countess Pembroke.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 24th May 1591 [her son] Robert Clifford (age 5) died.
In 1592 [her husband] George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 33) was appointed 377th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 58).
On 29th September 1596 [her sister-in-law] Margaret Clifford Countess Derby (age 56) died.
On 31st December 1600 Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 67) granted a Royal Charter to the Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies aka the East India Company led by [her husband] George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 42) by which they received a monopoloy on trade with the East Indies. Thomas Smythe (age 42) was appointed first Governor of the East India Company.
In 1603 [her brother] William Russell 1st Baron Russell (age 43) was created 1st Baron Russell of Thornhaugh. [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Long Baroness Russel Thornhaugh by marriage Baroness Russell of Thornhaugh.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 24th March 1603. About 10 o'clock King James was proclaimed in Cheapside by all the Council with great joy and triumph.1 I went to see and hear. This peaceable coming-in of the King was unexpected of all sorts of people. Within two or three days we returned to Clerkenwell again. A little after this Queen Elizabeth's corpse came by night in a barge from Richmond to Whitehall, my Mother (age 42) and a great company of ladies attending it, where it continued a great while standing in the Drawing Chamber, where it was watched all night by several lords and ladies, my Mother sitting up with it two or three nights, but my Lady would not give me leave to watch, by reason I was held too young. At this time we used to go very much to Whitehall, and walked much in the garden which was frequented by lords and ladies, my Mother being all full of hopes, every man expecting mountains and finding molehills, excepting Sir R. Cecil (age 39) and the house of the Howards, who hated my Mother and did not much love my [her sister] Aunt Warwick (age 55). About this time my Lord Southampton (age 29) was enlarged of his imprisonment out of the Tower. When the corpse of Queen Elizabeth had continued at Whitehall as the Council had thought fit, it was carried with great solemnity to Westminster,2 the lords and ladies going on foot to attend it, my Mother and my Aunt of Warwick being mourners, but I was not allowed to be one, because I was not high enough, which did much trouble me then, but yet I stood in the church at Westminster to see the solemnities performed. A little after this my Lady and a great deal of other company as Mrs Eliz. Bridges (age 25), Lady Newtin, and her daughter Lady Finch (age 43) [?], went down with my Aunt Warwick to North Hall, and from thence we all went to Tibbalds to see the King who used my Mother and aunt very graciously, but we all saw a great change between the fashion of the Court as it is now and of that in the Queen's time, for we were all lousy by sitting in the chamber of Sir Thomas Erskine (age 37). As the King came out of Scotland, when he lay at York, there was a strife between my [her husband] Father (age 44) and Lord Burleigh3 (who was the President,) who should carry the sword, but it was adjudged on my Father's side because it was an office by inheritance and so it lineally descended to me. From Tibbalds the King went to Charterhouse, where Lord T. Howard (age 41) was created Earl of Suffolk, and Lord Mountjoy (age 40) Earl of Devonshire, and restored Lords Southampton and Essex (age 12), who stood attainted, likewise he created many barons, among which my uncle [her brother] Russell (age 43) was made Lord Russell of Thorney, [sic] and for knights they were innumerable. All this spring I had my health very well. My Father used to come to us sometimes at Clerkenwell but not often, for he had at this time as it were wholly left my Mother, yet the house was kept still at his charge.
Note 1. The first time that King sent to the Lords in England, he gave command that the Earls of Northumberland (age 38), Cumberland, Lord Thomas Howard, and Lord Mountjoy should be added to the Council.
Note 2. Queen Elizabeth's funeral was on Thursday, April the 8th.
Note 3. A dispute between George Earl of Cumberland, and the Lord Burleigh.
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In August 1603 during a plague in London the royal court moved to Basing House, Old Basing. Francis Palmes of Lindley (age 49) entertained courtiers at his house nearby at Lancelevy, Sherfield on Loddon. The party included [her daughter] Lady Anne Clifford (age 13), her mother Margaret Clifford (age 43), Countess of Cumberland and [her sister] Elizabeth Bourchier, Countess of Bath, who used Lancelevy as a base to visit Anne of Denmark (age 28) and Arbella Stuart (age 28).
On 9th February 1604 [her sister] Anne Russell Countess Warwick (age 56) died. She was originally interred at St Marys Church, Watford. The monument subseuently moved to the Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies.
On 24th March 1605 [her sister] Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath died.
On 30th October 1605 [her husband] George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (age 47) died. His brother [her brother-in-law] Francis (age 46) succeeded 4th Earl of Cumberland. His daughter Anne (age 15) succeeded 14th Baroness de Clifford.
Francis Clifford 4th Earl of Cumberland bequeathed to Anne the sum of £15,000 in lieu of the estates she was legally entitled to. She engaged in a long and complex legal battle to obtain the family estates. In 1643, when Henry Clifford 5th Earl of Cumberland (age 14) died she regained her estates.
On 27th February 1609 [her son-in-law] Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset (age 19) and Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke (age 19) were married. The same day that his father Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset (age 48) died. She the daughter of George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 48). He the son of Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset and Margaret Howard. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 9th August 1613 [her brother] William Russell 1st Baron Russell (age 53) died. His son [her nephew] Francis (age 20) succeeded 2nd Baron Russell of Thornhaugh.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 24th May 1616 Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland (age 55) died at Brougham Castle [Map]. She was buried in St Lawrence's Church, Appleby-in-Westmoreland [Map]. Finely carved alabaster. Stuart Hooded Monument, Shroud Monument, with Coronet. By Maximilian Colt (age 41).
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephen Russell
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Russell
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Russell
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Russell
GrandFather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wise
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Wise
Father: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sapcote
Great x 1 Grandfather: Guy Sapcote of Thornhaugh, Bedfordshire
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas de Semarc
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne de Semarc
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Lexham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Laxham
GrandMother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford
Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Oliver St John
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Paulet
Great x 2 Grandfather: John St John 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Bradshaigh
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Bradshaigh
GrandFather: John St John 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip ap Morgan
Great x 3 Grandfather: Jenkyn ap Philip
Great x 2 Grandfather: Morgan ap Jenkin Lord of Langstone
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor
Mother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Waldegrave 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Waldegrave
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Waldegrave
GrandMother: Margaret Waldegrave 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wentworth 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Wentworth
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dronsfield
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Despencer 2nd Baron Despencer 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Despencer 3rd Baroness Despencer, Baroness Ros 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tiptoft Baroness Despencer 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Howard 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Tendring
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Hussey 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Hussey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England