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Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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Paternal Family Tree: Mildmay
Around 1521 Walter Mildmay was born to [his father] Thomas Mildmay (age 36) and [his mother] Agnes Read at Moulsham, Essex. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge University [Map].
In or before 1540 [his father] Thomas Mildmay (age 54) and [his mother] Agnes Read were married.
In 1541 Walter Mildmay (age 20) was elected MP Lostwithiel.
Around 1545 Walter Mildmay (age 24) was appointed Surveyor General of the Court of Augmentations.
In 1546 Walter Mildmay (age 25) became a student at Gray's Inn.
On 22nd February 1546 Walter Mildmay (age 25) was knighted.
In 1547 Walter Mildmay (age 26) was elected MP Lewes.
On 22nd May 1547 Walter Mildmay (age 26) was knighted.
On 8th September 1549 [his son] Anthony Mildmay was born to Walter Mildmay (age 28) and [his future wife] Mary Walsingham (age 21). It appears from his widow's provision for a memorial sermon to him, on the Nativity of Our Lady, 8th Sept, but in the year is unclear. To judge from the date of his entry to Peterhouse, it may have been 1549. He married 1567 Grace Sharington and had issue.
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 12th November 1549 Walter Mildmay (age 28) was ordered by the Privy Council to examine the Westminster Palace [Map] which had been in the custody of Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 49).
In 1550 Walter Mildmay (age 29), John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 46) and William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 49) were directed to examine the accounts of the Royal Mint.
In 1552 Walter Mildmay (age 31) was granted Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire.
On 1st March 1553 Walter Mildmay (age 32) was elected MP Maldon.
On 5th October 1553 Walter Mildmay (age 32) was elected MP Peterborough.
Around 1555 [his son] Humphrey Mildmay was born to Walter Mildmay (age 34) and [his future wife] Mary Walsingham (age 27). He married Mary Capell.
Before 5th October 1557 [his mother] Agnes Read died.
Around 1558 [his daughter] Christian Mildmay was born to Walter Mildmay (age 37) and [his future wife] Mary Walsingham (age 30). She married 9th June 1586 John Leveson and had issue.
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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On 20th December 1558 Walter Mildmay (age 37) was employed in preparing a census of the farms of the royal revenues.
On 28th March 1559 Walter Mildmay (age 38) was employed in compounding with those who refused knighthood.
On 29th October 1560 Walter Mildmay (age 39) was employed in directing the issue of a new coinage.
In May 1563 Walter Mildmay (age 42) was employed in selling crown lands.
On 29th January 1566 [his father] Thomas Mildmay (age 81) died.
After 21st April 1566 Walter Mildmay (age 45) was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer and Auditor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
In 1567 [his son] Anthony Mildmay (age 17) and [his daughter-in-law] Grace Sharington (age 15) were married. They lived at Apethorpe Hall, Northamptonshire.
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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Before 1571 Walter Mildmay (age 49) and Mary Walsingham (age 42) were married.
In January 1572 Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk (age 35) was tried for high treason for his involvement in the Ridolphi Plot. Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset (age 36) acted as judge.
George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 44) was appointed Lord High Steward for the trial.
Walter Mildmay (age 51) helped prepare evidence against Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk.
On 16th March 1576 [his wife] Mary Walsingham (age 48) died.
In October 1577 Walter Mildmay (age 56) and William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 57) visited Mary Queen of Scots (age 34) at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire [Map] after she had announced that she had important secrets to reveal to Elizabeth.
On 23rd November 1583 Walter Mildmay (age 62) purchased the site of Emmanuel College, Cambridge University for £550 and on 11th January 1584 obtained the Queen's licence to set up Emmanuel College there.
On 9th June 1586 [his son-in-law] John Leveson (age 31) and [his daughter] Christian Mildmay (age 28) were married.
Before 14th October 1586 Walter Mildmay (age 65) went to Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire [Map] to inform Mary Queen of Scots (age 43) of her forthcoming trial in which he subsequently took part as one of the special commissioners.
On 31st May 1589 Walter Mildmay (age 68) died at Hackney. He is buried at St Bartholomew the Less with his wife [his former wife] Mary Walsingham.