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 Susannah Evelyn 1669-1754

Paternal Family Tree: Evelyn

Before 10th September 1647 [her father] John Evelyn [aged 26] and [her mother] Mary Browne [aged 12] were married by Bishop John Earle [aged 46] at Paris [Map]. She is first mentioned in his diary John Evelyn's Diary on 10th September 1647.

In 1669 Susannah Evelyn was born to John Evelyn [aged 48] and Mary Browne [aged 34].

John Evelyn's Diary. 20th May 1669. This evening, at 10 o'clock, was born my third daughter, who was baptized on the 25th by the name of Susannah.

John Evelyn's Diary. 1st March 1686. Came Sir Gilbert Gerrard to treate with me about his sonn's marrying my daughter Susanna [aged 17]. The father being obnoxious, and in some suspicion and displeasure of the King [aged 52], I would receive no proposal till his Ma* had given me leave, wch he was pleas'd to do; but after severall meetings we brake off on his not being willing to secure any thing competent for my daughter's children; besides that I found most of his estate was in ye coal pits as far off as Newcastle, and on leases from the Bishop of Durham, who had power to make concurrent leases, with other difficulties.

John Evelyn's Diary. 12th February 1688. My daughter [Note. This may refer to a daughter-in-law?] Evelyn [aged 19] going in the coach to visit in the city, a jolt (the door being not fast shut) flung her quite out in such manner, as the hind wheels passed over her a little above her knees. Yet it pleased God, besides the bruises of the wheels, she had no other harm. In two days she was able to walk, and soon after perfectly well; through God Almighty's great mercy to an excellent wife and a most dutiful and discreet daughter-in-law.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd July 1692. I went with my [her mother] wife [aged 57], [her brother] son [aged 37], and daughter [aged 23], to Eton [Map], to see my grandson [aged 10], and thence to my Lord Godolphin's [aged 47], at Cranburn, where we lay, and were most honourably entertained. The next day to St. George's Chapel [Map], and returned to London late in the evening.

John Evelyn's Diary. 19th February 1693. The Bishop of Lincoln [aged 56] preached in the afternoon at the Tabernacle near Golden Square, set up by him. Proposals of a marriage between [her future husband] Mr. Draper and my daughter Susanna [aged 24]. Hitherto an exceedingly warm winter, such as has seldom been known, and portending an unprosperous spring as to the fruits of the earth; our climate requires more cold and winterly weather. The dreadful and astonishing earthquake swallowing up Catania, and other famous and ancient cities, with more than 100,000 persons in Sicily [Map], on 11th January last, came now to be reported among us.

On or before 27th April 1693 William Draper and Susannah Evelyn [aged 24] were married in St Ethedreda's Chapel Ely House by Archbishop Thomas Tenison [aged 56]. She the daughter of John Evelyn [aged 72] and Mary Browne [aged 58].

John Evelyn's Diary. 27th April 1693. My daughter Susanna [aged 24] was married to [her husband] William Draper, Esq, in the chapel of Ely House, by Dr. Tenison [aged 56], Bishop of Lincoln (since Archbishop). I gave her in portion £4,000, her jointure is £500 per annum. I pray Almighty God to give his blessing to this marriage! She is a good child, religious, discreet, ingenious, and qualified with all the ornaments of her sex. She has a peculiar talent in design, as painting in oil and miniature, and an extraordinary genius for whatever hands can do with a needle. She has the French tongue, has read most of the Greek and Roman authors and poets, using her talents with great modesty; exquisitely shaped, and of an agreeable countenance. This character is due to her, though coming from her father. Much of this week spent in ceremonies, receiving visits and entertaining relations, and a great part of the next in returning visits.

John Evelyn's Diary. 11th May 1693. We accompanied my daughter [aged 24] to her [her husband] husband's house, where with many of his and our relations we were magnificently treated. There we left her in an apartment very richly adorned and furnished, and I hope in as happy a condition as could be wished, and with the great satisfaction of all our friends; for which God be praised!

On 27th February 1706 [her father] John Evelyn [aged 85] died. His grandson John Evelyn 1st Baronet [aged 23] succeeded to his Wotton, Surrey [Map] estates.

On 9th February 1708 [her mother] Mary Browne [aged 73] died.

The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342

The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.

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In 1754 Susannah Evelyn [aged 85] died.