St Michael's Church, Chenies is in Chenies, Buckinghamshire, Churches in Buckinghamshire.
St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
21st January 1484. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of Edmund Molyneux and Agnes Lexham inscribed "Here lies Dame Agnes Cheyne sometime wife of Sir John Cheyne knight who died day A.D. and Edmund Molyneux Esq. Second husband of the aforesaid lady who died 21 January A.D. 1484 on whose souls may God have mercy".
Note. Agnes Lexham was married, firstly to John Cheyne of Drayton Beauchamp and, secondly, to Edmund Molyneux.
17th February 1494. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of Rector Richard Newland inscribed "Here lies Master Richard Newland formerly rector of this church who died 17th day of February A.D. 1494 on whose soul may God have mercy".
1st August 1510. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of Anne de Semarc [aged 77], holding her heart, inscribed "Here lies Dame Anne Phelip, Widow, once wife of David Phelip, knight, lady of Thoro in the County of Northampton and Isenhampstead Cheyne in the County of Buckingham, who died the first day of August in the year of our Lord 1510 on whose soul may God have mercy Amen".
8th October 1511. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of Agnes Johnson inscribed "Here lies Agnes Johnson, widow, mother of Robert Leyff, Rector of this church, who died the eighth day of October in the year of our Lord 1511 on whose soul may God have mercy Amen".
1525. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Brass of Elizabeth Broughton. The long, unfastenened hair denoting she was unmarried. It isn't clear how she has been identified, or her parentage. Possibly a daughter of John Broughton of Toddington, Bedfordshire and Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford [aged 46] who inherited Chenies Manor House, Buckinghamshire [Map] in 1510.
On 27th August 1562 Margaret St John Countess Bedford [aged 29] died at Woburn, Bedfordshire. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Memorial to Reverend William Morris, rector of St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map] for more than twenty-nine years, who died 24th July 1758.
On 1st May 1821 Martha Morris [aged 71] died. Memorial at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Wife of Reverend Codrington Carrington [aged 72] of Blackmoor, Barbados.
PHOTOS/20250408-Chenies/20250408-104919.jpg.
St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Memorial to father and son Edmund and Hervey Morris who died on 20th December 1826 and 28th December 1822 respectively.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 25th August 1884 Odo Russell 1st Baron Ampthill [aged 55] died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. His son Oliver [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Baron Ampthill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire.
Odo Russell 1st Baron Ampthill: On 20th February 1829 he was born to George Russell and Elizabeth Anne Rawdon. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 5th May 1868 Odo Russell 1st Baron Ampthill and Emily Theresa Villiers Baroness Ampthill were married. She the daughter of George William Villiers 4th Earl Clarendon and Katherine Grimston Countess Clarendon. They were fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. In 1881 Odo Russell 1st Baron Ampthill was created 1st Baron Ampthill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire. Emily Theresa Villiers Baroness Ampthill by marriage Baroness Ampthill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire.
On 5th April 1886 Wriothesley Russell [aged 81] died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Wriothesley Russell: On 11th May 1804 he was born to John Russell 6th Duke Bedford and Georgiana Gordon Duchess Bedford. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 23rd June 1829 Wriothesley Russell and Elizabeth Laura Henrietta Russell were married. He the son of John Russell 6th Duke Bedford and Georgiana Gordon Duchess Bedford. They were first cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 5th May 1886 Elizabeth Laura Henrietta Russell [aged 83] died one month after her husband Wriothesley Russell [deceased]. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Elizabeth Laura Henrietta Russell: On 22nd January 1803 she was born to William Russell and Charlotte Anne Villiers. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 31st March 1905 Louisa Jane Russell Duchess Abercorn [aged 92] died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Louisa Jane Russell Duchess Abercorn: Memorials of Francis Chantrey RA in Hallamshire and Elsewhere Part V London Life and Works. In 1818, he exhibited a bust of John Rennie, the engineer, one of his most admirable heads, and that exquisite little statue at Woburn of Lady Louisa Russell, the present Marchioness of Abercorn. The child stands on tiptoe, with a face of the most exquisite and arch expression, proud with delight of the dove which she fondles in her bosom. All who have been at Woburn will recollect this little figure; but the trays of the Italian boys have given it a wider, and only its deserved celebrity. On 8th July 1812 she was born to John Russell 6th Duke Bedford and Georgiana Gordon Duchess Bedford. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. In 1832 James Hamilton 1st Duke of Abercorn and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Abercorn. She the daughter of John Russell 6th Duke Bedford and Georgiana Gordon Duchess Bedford. He the son of James Hamilton and Harriet Douglas Countess Aberdeen.
On 19th April 1908 Algernon Wriothesley Russell [aged 72] died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Algernon Wriothesley Russell: On 13th July 1835 he was born to Wriothesley Russell. He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 5th December 1913 Evelyn Mary Eliza Russell [aged 76] died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Evelyn Mary Eliza Russell: On 5th May 1837 she was born to Wriothesley Russell. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
After 21st March 1918. Memorial to Lieutenant Reginald Arthur Shann, East Lancashire Regiment, younger son of Reginald Shann, for 33 years Rector of St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Fell in action at Hargiicourt. Tablet erected by Adeline Marie Somers Duchess Bedford [aged 65].
Adeline Marie Somers Duchess Bedford: On 24th September 1852 she was born to Charles Somers-Cocks 3rd Earl Somers. On 24th October 1886 George William Sackville Russell 10th Duke Bedford and she were married. She the daughter of Charles Somers-Cocks 3rd Earl Somers. He the son of Francis Russell 9th Duke Bedford and Elizabeth Sackville-West Duchess Bedford.
On 12th April 1920 Adeline Marie Somers Duchess Bedford [aged 67] died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
After 22nd December 1935. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Grave of Fannie Gallaher, secretary for many years to Adeline Marie Somers Duchess Bedford.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1942 Constance Evelyn Villiers Russell [aged 70] died unmarried. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Constance Evelyn Villiers Russell: In 1872 she was born to Odo Russell 1st Baron Ampthill and Emily Theresa Villiers Baroness Ampthill.
12th December 1944. St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Grave of 3032911 Aircraftman 2nd Cl. John Lionel Crook. Royal Air Force. Aged 19. Admitted dangerously ill to Amersham EMS hospital on 5 December where he died of heametemesis. Served in 3 Radio School. Son of John Oliver and Phyllis Mary Crook, of Amersham.
St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. War Memorials.
On 28th April 1949 Marjorie Gladys Guinness [aged 61] died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Marjorie Gladys Guinness: On 11th February 1888 she was born to Claude Hume Campbell Guiness. On 11th February 1909 Alexander Victor Frederick Villiers Russell and she were married in Christ Church, Broadway, London. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 15th August 1963 Averil Russell [aged 57] died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Averil Russell: On 24th June 1906 she was born to Victor Alexander Frederick Villiers Russell and Annora Margaret Bromley Martin.
On 3rd January 1965 Alexander Victor Frederick Villiers Russell [aged 90] died at Cadogen Gardens, Chelsea. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Alexander Victor Frederick Villiers Russell: On 27th June 1874 Victor Alexander Frederick Villiers Russell and Alexander Victor Frederick Villiers Russell were born to Odo Russell 1st Baron Ampthill and Emily Theresa Villiers Baroness Ampthill. Before 11th February 1909 Alexander Victor Frederick Villiers Russell and Annora Margaret Bromley Martin were divorced.
On 3rd June 1973 John Russell 3rd Baron Ampthill [aged 76] died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. His son Geoffrey [aged 51] succeeded 4th Baron Ampthill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire. The succession was unsuccessfully contested by his younger half-brother John Hugo Trenchard Russell [aged 22]. The Committee for Privileges ruled in favour of Geoffrey in 1976.
Geoffrey Russell 4th Baron Ampthill: On 15th October 1921 he was born to John Russell 3rd Baron Ampthill and Christabel Hulme Hart Baroness Ampthill. The biological father remains a mystery since his mother and father had never, apparently, consummated their marriage. His father apparently never spoke to the child. On 23rd April 2011 Geoffrey Russell 4th Baron Ampthill died. His son David succeeded 5th Baron Ampthill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire.
John Hugo Trenchard Russell: On 13th October 1950 he was born to John Russell 3rd Baron Ampthill and Adeline Mary Constance Hone Baroness Ampthill
On 22nd June 2004 Adeline Mary Constance Hone Baroness Ampthill [aged 94] died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map].
Adeline Mary Constance Hone Baroness Ampthill: On 24th July 1909 she was born at Queensland, Australia. On 24th July 1948 John Russell 3rd Baron Ampthill and she were married. She by marriage Baroness Ampthill of Ampthill in Bedfordshire.
Around 1385. Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Mutilated life sized effigies of a knight and a lady which originally belonged to two monuments of the Cheyne family, now destroyed. Possibly William Cheney.
A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3: Parishes: Chenies. John Broughton died in 151842, and by 1523 Anne [aged 39] was the wife of Richard Jermingham43. He died before 1526, in which year Anne married John Lord Russell [aged 33]44, the favourite of Henry VIII [aged 26], who stayed at Chenies [Map] in 153445. Lord Russell was made lord high admiral in 154046, and in 1541 the privy council met at Chenies47. In 1550 Russell was created Earl of Bedford, and on his death in 1555 he was buried in the mausoleum in Chenies Church built by his widow Anne48, and in which all the succeeding Earls and Dukes of Bedford lie buried.
Note 42. Ibid. xxxiii, 108.
Note 43. Feet of F. Div. Co. East. 15 Hen. VIII; Bucks. East. 15 Hen. VIII.
Note 44. Dict. Nat. Biog.; Feet of F. Bucks Trin. and Mich. 20 Hen. VIII.
Note 45. L. and P. Hen. VIII, vii, 965.
Note 46. Ibid. xvi, 1339; Dict. Nat. Biog.
Note 47. L. and P. Hen. VIII, xvi, 1287.
Note 48. G.E.C. Complete Peerage.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th March 1555. [The xx day of March the earl of Bedford [deceased], lord privy-seal, who died at his house beside the Savoy, was carried to his buryingplace in the country, called Chenies, with three hundred horse all in black. He was carried with three crosses,] with mony clerkes and prestes, [till they came to the hill] a-boyffe sant James, and ther returnyd [certain of them] home; and thay had torchys and almes and money gyven them. And after evere man sett in aray on horssebake. First on red in blake bayryng a crosse of sylver, and serten prestes on horsebake wayryng ther surples; then cam the standard, and then all the gentyllmen and hed officers; and then cam haroldes, on beyryng ys elmet, and the mantylls, and the crest, and anodur ys baner of armes, and anodur ys target with the garter, and anodur ys cott armur; and anodur ys sword: and then master Garter in ys ryche cott armur and then cam the charett with vj banars rolles of armes, and a-bowt the charett iiij banars of ymages, and after the charet a gret horsse trapyd in cloth of gold with the sadyll of the sam; and then cam mornars, the cheyffe (of whom) my lord Russell [aged 28] ys sune, and after my lord trayssorer [aged 72], and the master of the horse [aged 34], and dyver odur nobull men all in blake; and evere towne that he whent thrughe the clarkes and prestes mett ym with crosses; and they had in evere parryche iiij nobuls to gyffe to the pore, and the prest and clarke of evere parryche xs., tyll he cam to ys plasse at Cheynes; and the morowe after was he bered, and a grett doll of money; and ther the deyn of Powlles mad a godly sermon; and after a grett dener, and great plenty to all the contrey a-bowt that wold com thether.
Note. P. 83. Funeral of the earl of Bedford. John first earl of Bedford, K.G. created lord Russell 1539, and an earl in 1550. See a portrait with memoirs of him in Wiffen's House of Russell, vol. i.; another in Lodge's Illustrious Portraits; and his portrait is also in the collection by Houbraken, and in Chamberlain's Holbein Heads. The chapel at Chenies, which has ever since been the cemetery of the Russells, was built by his widow in 1556, in pursuance of his last will. His effigy at Chenies is described in Lipscomb's Buckinghamshire: but in the inscription, "Lord President of the Western Portes" is an error for Partes.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 21st March 1556. The xxj day of Marche was bered at [Chenies, in] Bukynghamshyre my old contes of Bedford [aged 77] .... of armes and a grett baner of armes and a v [banner-] rolles of her progene and vii dosen of skochyons .... vj of sarsenett, and iiij dosen of grett stayffe torchys.
Note. P. 191. Funeral of the old countess of Bedford. Anne, sole daughter and heiress of sir Guy Sapcote, of Thornhaugh, co. Bedford, married first to sir John Broughton, of Toddington, co. Bedford; secondly, about 1518, to sir Richard Jerningham, who was one of the governors of Tournay, and afterwards employed in an embassy to Spain, who died in 1524; and, thirdly, in the spring of 1526, to sir John Russell, afterwards earl of Bedford (see note, p. 343). By her will, dated 19 Aug. 1557, she committed her burial to the discretion of the marquess of Winchester lord treasurer, the abbat of Westminster, and the lord St. John. See further in Wiffen's Memoirs of the House of Russell, i. 391.
Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Monument to John Russell 1st Earl Bedford and Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford.
Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Monument to Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford and Margaret St John Countess Bedford.
The armorials on the visible south side being, left to right:
Dudley Arms impaling 
Russell Arms. Ambrose Dudley 3rd Earl Warwick [aged 56] and Anne Russell Countess Warwick [aged 38].
Bourchier Arms impaling Russell Arms. William Bourchier 3rd Earl Bath [aged 28] and Elizabeth Russell Countess Bath
Clifford Arms impaling Russell Arms. George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland [aged 27] and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland [aged 25].
On 13th January 1601 Bridget Hussey Countess Bedford [aged 75] died. She was originally interred at St Marys Church, Watford. The monument was probably moved when the Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies was extended in 1906. Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire [aged 21] inherited £3000.
Marble altar tomb chest with flat vertical pilaster strips; on sides and ends are shields with arms. Recumbent effigy of alabaster, coloured in robes of a peeress with ruff and close fitting cap. At the left and right of the tomb chest, on little stands, are two kneeling male figures in armour, carved in full relief, both facing West, thought to represent her grandsons Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire and - Francis, Lord Norreys and Sir Charles Morrison Bt.
On 9th February 1604 Anne Russell Countess Warwick [aged 56] died. She was originally interred at St Marys Church, Watford. The monument subseuently moved to the Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies.
On 11th May 1627 Edward Russell 3rd Earl Bedford [deceased] was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies.
On 26th November 1727 Edward Russell 1st Earl Orford [aged 74] died at 43 King Street. He was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Earl Orford extinct.
On 23rd October 1732 Wriothesley Russell 3rd Duke Bedford [aged 24] died at A Coruña. He was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. His brother John [aged 22] succeeded 4th Duke Bedford, 4th Marquess Tavistock, 8th Earl Bedford, 8th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 6th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 4th Baron Howland of Streatham. Diana Spencer Duchess Bedford [aged 22] by marriage Duchess Bedford.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 9th October 1735 Diana Spencer Duchess Bedford [deceased] was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies.
On 5th January 1771 John Russell 4th Duke Bedford [aged 60] died at Woburn, Bedfordshire. He was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. His grandson Francis [aged 5] succeeded 5th Duke Bedford, 5th Marquess Tavistock, 9th Earl Bedford, 9th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 7th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 5th Baron Howland of Streatham.
On 2nd March 1802 Francis Russell 5th Duke Bedford [aged 36] died unmarried at Woburn, Bedfordshire. He was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. His brother John [aged 35] succeeded 6th Duke Bedford, 6th Marquess Tavistock, 10th Earl Bedford, 10th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 8th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 6th Baron Howland of Streatham.
On 22nd May 1861 Francis Russell 7th Duke Bedford [deceased] was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies.
On 14th January 1891 Francis Russell 9th Duke Bedford [aged 71] shot himself as a result of insanity at 81 Eaton Square, Belgravia. His son George [aged 38] succeeded 10th Duke Bedford, 10th Marquess Tavistock, 14th Earl Bedford, 14th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 12th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 10th Baron Howland of Streatham. Adeline Marie Somers Duchess Bedford [aged 38] by marriage Duchess Bedford.
Monument in the Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies erected by Elizabeth Sackville-West Duchess Bedford [aged 72] in 1892.
On 23rd March 1893 George William Sackville Russell 10th Duke Bedford [aged 40] died. George William Sackville Russell 10th Duke Bedford was buried at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. His brother Herbrand [aged 35] succeeded 11th Duke Bedford, 11th Marquess Tavistock, 15th Earl Bedford, 15th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 13th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 11th Baron Howland of Streatham. Mary Caurroy Tribe Duchess Bedford [aged 27] by marriage Duchess Bedford.
On 22nd April 1897 Elizabeth Sackville-West Duchess Bedford [aged 78] died at Latimer House, Chesham. She was buried having been cremated at Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies.
Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Monuments to Alexander George Russell, Georgiana Elizabeth Russell, Conrad George Edward Russell [aged 68] and Harold John Hastings Russell.
Bedford Chapel, St Michael's Church, Chenies. Altar. In the background may be seen the memorials to:
Victor Alexander Frederick Villiers Russell, his wife Annora Margaret Bromley Martin and their daughter Averil Russell.
Alexander Victor Frederick Villiers Russell and his wife Marjorie Gladys Guinness.
Admiral Guy Herbrand Edward Russell.
Henry Robin Ian Russell 14th Duke Bedford [aged 62]
