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 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet 1600-1645

Paternal Family Tree: Aston

On 29th September 1600 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet was born to [his father] John Aston (age 23).

On 13th May 1617 [his father] John Aston (age 40) died in Aston juxta Sutton, Runcorn.

In 1627 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet (age 26) and Magdalene Pulteney were married.

In 1628 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet (age 27) was created 1st Baronet Aston of Aston. [his future wife] Anne Willoughby Lady Aston (age 14) by marriage Lady Aston of Aston.

1635. John Souch (age 42). Portrait of Thomas Aston 1st Baronet (age 34) at the deathbed of his wife Magdalene Pulteney.

Magdalene Pulteney: she was born to John Pulteney of Misterton Leicestershire and Margery Fortescue. In 1627 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet and she were married. In 1635 she died.

In 1635 [his wife] Magdalene Pulteney died.

In 1639 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet (age 38) and Anne Willoughby Lady Aston (age 25) were married.

On 5th July 1640 [his son] Willoughby Aston 2nd Baronet was born to Thomas Aston 1st Baronet (age 39) and [his wife] Anne Willoughby Lady Aston (age 26). He married before 17th January 1665 his half fourth cousin once removed Mary Offley and had issue.

On 24th March 1645 Thomas Aston 1st Baronet (age 44) died. His son Willoughby (age 4) succeeded 2nd Baronet Aston of Aston.

On 2nd June 1688 [his former wife] Anne Willoughby Lady Aston (age 74) died.

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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[his daughter] Magdalen Aston was born to Thomas Aston 1st Baronet and Anne Willoughby Lady Aston. She married 1676 Robert Burdett 3rd Baronet, son of Francis Burdett 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Walter, and had issue.

Ancestors of Thomas Aston 1st Baronet 1600-1645

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Aston

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Aston

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Aston

GrandFather: Thomas Aston

Father: John Aston

Thomas Aston 1st Baronet