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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Knaresborough is in Kexby.
Around 1088 Eustace Fitzjohn 4th Baron Halton was born to John "Monoculus" Fitzrichard de Burgh [aged 28] and Magdelena Cecily Blois [aged 40] at Knaresborough [Map]. He married (1) before 1130 Agnes Fitznigel, daughter of William Fitznigel 2nd Baron of Halton, and had issue (2) before 1130 Beatrix Vesci and had issue.
Close Rolls Edward II 1307-1313. On 16th January 1310 King Edward II of England [aged 25]. Stamford [Map]. To the Sheriff of York. Order to proclaim that the king does not intend to change the money current in the Kingdom in the late King's time, as had been rumoured, and to forbid anyone from thinking little of it, whereby victuals and other necessaries may be sold more dearly.
The like to all the Sheriffs of England [Ibid].
Enrolment of deed of Peter de Gavaston [aged 26], knight, surrendering to the king the castle, manor, and honour of Knaresborough [Map], with the free chase of Knaresborough, and the manors of Routheclyve and Auldburgh, lately granted to him by the King for his lifetime. Witnesses: Gilbert de Clare 8th Earl Gloucester 7th Earl Hertford [aged 18], Henry Lacy 4th Earl Lincoln, Earl Salisbury [aged 59], John Warenne 7th Earl of Surrey [aged 23], John de Brittania, Earl of Richmond, Hugh "Elder" Despencer 1st Earl Winchester [aged 48], Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy [aged 36], Robert son of Walter, Robert son of Payn, William de Burford, William Inge. Dated at Stamford [Map] July 26, 3 Edward II.
Enrolment of like surrender by the said Peter of the county of Gaure and the castles of Talanon, Tantalon, and Mauleon, the provostships (preposituras) and Camparian(um) called 'la Cointal' and of the city of Bayonne, the manor of Erebafaveyra, Born, Comtad, Salmun, Dagenes, and the island of Oleron, and the lands of Marempne and of Lancras in Saintogne, and all rights, appurtenances, etc., etc., thereto pertaining to the king, which the king lately granted him for life. Witnesses as above. Dated August 4, 3 Edward II.
Memorandum, that this deed was delivered to the king in his chamber in the House of the Friars Preachers, Stamford [Map] at Stamford, by the hands of the said Peter and the king delivered the said deed to J his chancellor, to be enrolled in the chancery, and it was afterwards delivered to Ingelard de Warle, keeper of the King's Wardrobe to be kept in the king's wardrobe, but the king's charters that the said Peter hereof were not then restored.[CONTINUES].
In 1376 John Savile of Shelley and Golcar [aged 51] was elected MP Yorkshire in the Good Parliament. During the Good Parliament, he was sufficiently trusted to conduct Thomas Caterton from Queenborough Castle [Map] for interrogation before Parliament. Caterton had been appealed for treason by Sir John Annesley, and the court party, including Gaunt [aged 35], was anxious to protect him from attack. In the event, they were able to hold off the opposition, despite some damning revelations about their conduct of the war-effort. The duke himself was singled out for particular criticism, and during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 he fled into Scotland, leaving his Savoy Palace [Map] to be destroyed by the London mob. Gaunt was, understandably, reluctant to cross the border again without the protection of a sizeable bodyguard. In late June 1376, therefore, his leading retainers in the north were instructed to provide an escort for his journey to Knaresborough [Map]. Not only did John Savile of Shelley and Golcar mobilize a personal retinue of ten men-at-arms and 40 archers; he also helped to suppress the rebellion in the north by serving on two commissions for the punishment of insurgents.
Around November 1938 Harry Oxley [aged 60] died at Knaresborough [Map].
On 26th October 1849 Gerald William Lascelles was born to Henry Thynne Lascelles 4th Earl Harewood [aged 25] and Elizabeth Joanna Burgh [aged 23] at Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough. He married 9th February 1875 Constance Augusta Mary Fitz-Clarence Phillipson and had issue.
On 21st August 1924 Gerald David Lascelles was born to Henry Lascelles 6th Earl Harewood [aged 41] and Princess Mary Windsor Countess Harewood [aged 27] at Goldsborough Hall, Knaresborough. He a grandson of King George V of the United Kingdom.
Knaresborough Castle is also in Castles in North Yorkshire.
Around 1125 William Fitzeustace was born to Eustace Fitzjohn 4th Baron Halton [aged 37] and Beatrix Vesci at Knaresborough Castle [Map]. He married Burga Stuteville and had issue.
15th April 1210. King John [aged 43] performs the first Royal Maundy Thursday alms giving at Knaresborough Castle [Map]. Note Maundy Thursday described as "Jovis Cene" i.e. "[Last] Supper Thursday". From the Mise Roll 11: "Supper Thursday at Knaresborough: For royal orders to the amount of ... 3s 1d. For sewing three robes for the poor — 2s 2d. For 13 belts, 13 knives, and 13 pairs of breeches for the same poor — 4s 4½d."
Source: Mise Roll 11.
In 1290 William "Hardy" Douglas 2nd Lord Douglas [aged 50] was imprisoned at Knaresborough Castle [Map].
On 13th January 1312 King Edward II of England [aged 27] and Piers Gaveston 1st Earl Cornwall [aged 28] were reunited at Knaresborough Castle [Map].
In 1485 George Stanley 9th Baron Strange Knockin 5th Baron Mohun Dunster [aged 25] was appointed Constable of Pontefract Castle and Constable of Knaresborough Castle.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Vesta Monumenta. 1734. Plate 1.44. Knaresborough Castle [Map]. Engraving by George [aged 50] Vertue after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Knaresborough Castle [Map]. Dugdale's England & Wales, 1853.
1896. William Harold Cubley [aged 79]. "The Crypt, Knaresborough Castle [Map]".
The River Nidd rises at Nidd Head Spring, North Yorkshire [Map] after which it travels under Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire [Map], then past Knaresborough Castle [Map] before joining the River Ouse at Nun Monkton, North Yorkshire [Map].