Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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On 4th February 1750 Walter Spencer-Stanhope was born to Walter Stanhope and Ann Spencer. He was baptised on 9th March 1750. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School and went up to University College, Oxford, and later studied law at the Middle Temple, London.
In 1775 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 24] was elected MP Carlisle.
In 1775 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 24] inherited Cannon Hal from his uncle John Spencer, and changed his name from Stanhope to Spencer-Stanhope by Royal licence.
In 1780 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 29] was elected MP Haslemere.
On 21st October 1783 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 33] and Mary Winifred Pulleine [aged 20] were married at Tynemouth, Northumberland [Map].
In 1784 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 33] was elected MP Kingston upon Hull.
On 27th May 1787 [his son] John Spencer-Stanhope was born to Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 37] and [his wife] Mary Winifred Pulleine [aged 24]. He married 1822 Elizabeth Wilhelmina Coke, daughter of Thomas Coke 1st Earl of Leicester and Jane Dutton, and had issue.
Around 1792 [his son] Edward Spencer-Stanhope aka Collingwood was born to Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 41] and [his wife] Mary Winifred Pulleine [aged 29].
In 1793 [his son] William Rodham Spencer-Stanhope was born to Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 42] and [his wife] Mary Winifred Pulleine [aged 30]. He married in or before 1837 Charlotte Pulleine.
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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In 1800 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 49] was elected MP Cockermouth.
In 1802 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 51] was elected MP Carlisle.
On 10th April 1821 Walter Spencer-Stanhope [aged 71] died.
In December 1850 [his former wife] Mary Winifred Pulleine [aged 87] died.
Father: Walter Stanhope 
GrandFather: William Spencer of Cannon Hall
Mother: Ann Spencer