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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Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire is in Leicestershire.
See: Ashby Castle [Map], Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, Bristow Park, Lower Church Street.
In 1175 Roger Zouche was born to Alain Zouche [aged 50] and Adelicia Belmeis at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married Margaret Bisset and had issue.
Around 1203 Alan Zouche was born to Roger Zouche [aged 28] and Margaret Bisset at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married in or before 1242 Helen or Ela Quincy, daughter of Roger de Quincy 2nd Earl Winchester and Helen Galloway Countess Winchester, and had issue.
In 1234 Margaret Zouche was born to William Zouche [aged 20] and Maud Trailly at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In or before 1238 Eudo Zouche was born to Roger Zouche [aged 62] and Margaret Bisset at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married Millicent Cantilupe, daughter of William Cantilupe and Eva de Braose, and had issue.
On 14th May 1238 Roger Zouche [aged 63] died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
On 25th June 1279 Eudo Zouche [aged 41] died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1285 Roger Zouche [aged 59] died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Around 1315 Thomasina Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth [aged 38] and Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth [aged 35] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
On 15th September 1317 Alan Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Mortimer was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Mortimer [aged 52] and Alice Tosny Countess Warwick [aged 33] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married Eleanor Damory Baroness Zouche Mortimer 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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In 1487 George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon was born to Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns [aged 20] and Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns [aged 21] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England. He married December 1509 his third cousin Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon, daughter of Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford, and had issue.
In 1514 Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon was born to George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] and Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon [aged 31] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married 25th June 1532 his second cousin once removed Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon, daughter of Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu and Jane Neville Baroness Montagu, and had issue.
Around 1535 Henry Hastings 3rd Earl Huntingdon was born to Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 21] and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 24] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.23%. He married his fourth cousin once removed Katherine Dudley Countess Huntingdon, daughter of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland.
In 1541 Edward Hastings was born to Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 30] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.23%. He married 1567 his half third cousin Barbara Devereux and had issue.
On 24th April 1586 Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon was born to Francis Hastings [aged 26] and Sarah Harrington [aged 21] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He was educated at Gray's Inn. He married 15th January 1601 his fourth cousin Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon, daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby, and had issue.
On 3rd November 1592 Gervaise Sleigh of Ash, Derbyshire [aged 32] and Elizabeth Cholmondeley [aged 32] were married at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1629 Robert Shirley 4th Baronet was born to Henry Shirley 2nd Baronet [aged 41] and Dorothy Devereux Lady Shirley [aged 29] at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. He married before 23rd January 1647 Catherine Okeover Lady Shirley and had issue.
On 31st March 1863 Joseph Hood 1st Baronet was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Ashby Castle is also in Castles in Leicestershire.
The Huntingdon Peerage Chapter IX Ferdinando Sixth Earl of Huntingdon. FERDINANDO, sixth Earl of Huntingdon, heir and successor of Henry the fifth Earl [aged 21], was born at Ashby [Map], January 11th, 1608. In March, 1627, he was returned to serve in Parliament for the county of Leicester, and two years after was joined with his father in the Lieutenancy of the counties of Leicester and Rutland. By indenture, dated May, 1638, he and his brother Henry, in consideration of the sum of 4,50l. granted, to John Earl of Bridgewater [aged 29] and Thomas Davies, a moiety of the rectory of Mould, otherwise Mouldesdale, in Flintshire. On the 13th of November, 1641, his father being then still living, he had summons to Parliament amongst the barons of the realm; and in 1643 he succeeded to the family honours. He married Lucy, daughter and sole heir to Sir John Davys [aged 38], of Englefield, Berks, Knt. (Premier Serjeant at Law to James the First, and Charles the First, as also Solicitor, and afterwards Attorney General in Ireland, and finally Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench,) by his wife Lady Eleanor [aged 18], youngest daughter of George Lord Audley, Earl of Castlehaven [aged 57], and, settling at Donnington Park, had by her four sons; Henry, John, Ferdinando, and Theophilus, born after the decease of his three brothers; and likewise six daughters, Alice, Eleanor, both of whom died young; Elizabeth, married to Sir James Laughan, of Cottesbroke, in Nottinghamshire, Bart, being his second wife, and dying without issue; Lucy, who died unmarried; Mary, espoused to Sir William Joliffe, of Caverswell Castle in Staffordshire, Knt.; and lastly Christiana.
Around 1660. Ashby Castle [Map] was deliberately destroyed by Parliamentary forces to avoid it becoming a Royalist stronghold.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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On 1st July 1574 Bishop Joseph Hall was born at Bristow Park. He was educated at Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1921 Ashby Grammar School Hood Extension [Map] was presented to Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire by Joseph Hood 1st Baronet [aged 57].
Joseph Hood 1st Baronet: On 31st March 1863 he was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. In 1922 Joseph Hood 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey. On 10th March 1931 he died. His son Harold succeeded 2nd Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey.
On 1st July 1574 Bishop Joseph Hall was born at Bristow Park. He was educated at Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In 1921 Ashby Grammar School Hood Extension [Map] was presented to Ashby Grammar School, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire by Joseph Hood 1st Baronet [aged 57].
Joseph Hood 1st Baronet: On 31st March 1863 he was born at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. In 1922 Joseph Hood 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey. On 10th March 1931 he died. His son Harold succeeded 2nd Baronet Hood of Wimbledon in Surrey.