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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Paternal Family Tree: Gerard
In or before 1520 [his father] James Gerard of Astley (age 9) and [his mother] Margaret Holcroft (age 9) were married.
After 1522 William Gerard was born to [his father] James Gerard of Astley (age 12) and [his mother] Margaret Holcroft (age 12).
In or before 1551 William Gerard (age 28) and Dorothy Page were married.
Around 1551 [his son] William Gerard was born to William Gerard (age 28) and [his wife] Dorothy Page. He was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map]. He married before 23rd October 1587 Dorothy Ratcliffe and had issue.
In October 1553 William Gerard (age 31) was elected MP Preston.
On 5th March 1558 [his father] James Gerard of Astley (age 48) died.
In 1559 [his mother] Margaret Holcroft (age 49) died.
In 1559 William Gerard (age 36) was elected MP Wigan.
In 1563 William Gerard (age 40) was elected MP Wigan.
In 1571 William Gerard (age 48) was elected MP Wigan.
On 19th September 1584 William Gerard (age 62) died.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Garrard of Kingsley and Bryn
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Gerard
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Gerard
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Gerard
GrandFather: William Gerard
Father: James Gerard of Astley
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Holcroft
GrandFather: John Holcroft
Mother: Margaret Holcroft