Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 1st December 1912 Margaret Whigham was born to George Hay Whigham and Helen Mann Hannay and Helen Mann Hannay.
In 18th May 1923 Margaret Whigham [aged 10] arrived at Southampton with her father George Hay Whigham and mother Helen Mann Hannay on the ship Majestie, of the White Star Line, from New York.
On 12th December 1927 [her future husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 24] and Janet Gladys Aitken [aged 19] were married.
Around 1928 Margaret Whigham [aged 15] underwent an abortion having become pregnant following a liason with David Niven [aged 17] whilst on holiday at Bembridge, Isle of Wight.
Around 1930. Margaret Whigham [aged 17]
In 1930 Margaret Whigham [aged 17] was presented at Court in London and was known as the debutante of that year. Shortly afterwards, she announced her engagement to Charles Greville 7th Earl of Warwick [aged 18].
Around 1931. Gerald Leslie Brockhurst [aged 40]. Portrait of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 18].
1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde [aged 38]. Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 19]. © National Portrait Gallery.
1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde [aged 38]. Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 19]. © National Portrait Gallery.
4th October 1932. Bassano Ltd. Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 19].
Source: National Portrait Gallery
In January 1933 Hugh Houston Smiley 3rd Baronet [aged 28] and Nancy Beaton [aged 23] were married. The eight bridesmaids included the bride's sister Barbara "Baba" Beaton [aged 20], Margaret Whigham [aged 20], Lady Bridget Poulett [aged 20], and Lady Anne Wellesley [aged 22]
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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January 1933. Cecil Beaton [aged 28]. Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 20].
On 21st February 1933 Charles Francis Sweeny [aged 23] and Margaret Whigham [aged 20] were married at the Brompton Oratory, Kensington.
Barbara "Baba" Beaton [aged 21] and Bridget Poulet [aged 21] were bridesmaids.
Hartford Courant:
Miss Margaret Whigham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hay Whifham of Ascot, England, was married in London Tuesday to Mr. Charles Sweeney, young American golfer, in Brompton Oratory. This famous Catholic church was thronged with fashionable guests. Outside another crowd, composed largely of women eager to see the brlde, was so large that forty policemen had great difficulty in maintaining traffic lines.
The bride arrived few minutes late. She wore a pearl white satin gown embroidered with pearls. The eighteen-foot train was edged with cloud-like layers or pearl-embroidered silk net. Her veil or tulle, fitted closely like a cap, was held with a narrow filet of pearl leaves interwoven with orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet or white lilies.
There were nine bridesmaids. All dressed in whitc with wreaths or red flowers. They were Lady Bridget Poulett and Miss Shelia Berry, Miss Jeanne Stourton, Miss Margaret Livingstone-Learmouth, Miss Baba Beaton, Miss Angela Brett, Miss Dawn Gold, Miss Molly Vaughan and Miss Pamela Nicholl. The ushers included the Earl of Birkenhead [aged 25] and Mr. Randolph Churchill [aged 21].
The bride was given by her father, who is connected with an American business firm. The best man was Mr. Robert Sweeney, brother of the bridegroom. Mrs. Whigham, who has a home at 55 Princeiss Gate, gave the wedding reception. The couple then departed for Paris. Later they will cruise in the West Indies.
Among the many wedding presents were a pair of gold cuff links for the bridegroom from the Prlnce of Wales, who last year selected Mr. Sweeney, then captain of the Oxford University golf team, as his partner in the Navy and Royal Marines golf tournament. Mr. Sweeney first played golf here as an American schoolboy in the boys amateur golf championship, which he was runner-up. His brother also attended Oxford and frequently was his golf partner.
1934. Paul Tanqueray [aged 28]. Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 21].
Source: National Portrait Gallery.
In or before 1935 [her future husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 31] and Janet Gladys Aitken [aged 26] were divorced.
On 23rd November 1935 [her future husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 32] and Louise Clews Duchess of Argyll [aged 30] were married.
In 1937 [her daughter] Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland was born to [her husband] Charles Francis Sweeny [aged 27] and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 24]. She married 15th May 1958 Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland, son of John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland and Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland, and had issue.
In 1947 Charles Francis Sweeny [aged 37] and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 34] were divorced.
On 20th August 1949 Niall Campbell 10th Duke Argyll [aged 77] died. His first cousin once removed [her future husband] Ian [aged 46] succeeded 11th Duke Argyll, 8th Baron Hamilton of Hameldon in Leicestershire. Louise Clews Duchess of Argyll [aged 44] by marriage Duchess Argyll.
Before 22nd March 1951 [her future husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 47] and Louise Clews Duchess of Argyll [aged 46] were divorced.
On 22nd March 1951 Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 47] and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 38] were married. His third marriage, her second. She by marriage Duchess Argyll.
1953. Paul Tanqueray [aged 47]. Photograph of Margaret Whigam Duchess of Argyll [aged 40] and [her husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 49].
Source: National Portrait Gallery.
October 1955. Francis Goodman [aged 42]. Photograph of Margaret Whigam Duchess of Argyll [aged 42] and her daughter Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland [aged 18], future Duchess of Rutland. Source: National Portrait Gallery.
Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland: In 1937 she was born to Charles Francis Sweeny and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll. On 15th May 1958 Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Rutland. She the daughter of Charles Francis Sweeny and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll. He the son of John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland and Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland.
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 15th May 1958 [her son-in-law] Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland [aged 38] and Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Duchess Rutland. She the daughter of Charles Francis Sweeny [aged 48] and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 45]. He the son of John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland and Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland [aged 63].
In 1963 Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 59] and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 50] were divorced following a scandalous divorce case. He suspected the Duchess of infidelity and, while she was in New York, engaged a locksmith to break open a cupboard at their Mayfair home, 48 Upper Grosvenor Street. A list of as many as eighty-eight men with whom the Duke believed his wife had consorted was produced. The list is said to include two government ministers and three members of the British royal family.
In 1964 [her former step-son] Ian Campbell 12th Duke of Argyll [aged 26] and Iona Colquhoun Duchess of Argyll [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Duchess Argyll. He the son of [her former husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 60] and Louise Clews Duchess of Argyll [aged 59].
On 7th April 1973 [her former husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll [aged 69] died. His son [her former step-son] Ian [aged 35] succeeded 12th Duke Argyll, 9th Baron Hamilton of Hameldon in Leicestershire.
On 22nd October 1983 a Memorial Service was held for David Niven at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map]. The servie was attended by Margaret Whigham [aged 70], Richard Attenborough, Michael Caine, Jon Pertwee, Anthony Quayle, Sir John Mills, Shirley Anne Field and John Mortimer.
On 11th March 1993 [her former husband] Charles Francis Sweeny [aged 83] died. He was buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking.
On 25th July 1993 Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll [aged 80] died at St George's Nursing Home, Pimlico. She was buried with her first husband Charles Francis Sweeny, who had died four months before, at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking.
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Whigham of Lochpatrick
GrandFather: David Dundas Whigham
Father: George Hay Whigham
Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll
Mother: Helen Mann Hannay