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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Earl Abingdon is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
30th November 1682. James Bertie 1st Earl of Abingdon [aged 29] created.
22nd May 1699. Son Montagu Venables Bertie 2nd Earl of Abingdon [aged 26] succeeded.
16th June 1743. Nephew Willoughby Bertie 3rd Earl of Abingdon [aged 50] succeeded.
10th June 1760. Son Willoughby Bertie 4th Earl of Abingdon [aged 20] succeeded.
26th September 1799. Son Montagu Bertie 5th Earl of Abingdon [aged 15] succeeded.
16th October 1854. Son Montagu Bertie 6th Earl of Abingdon [aged 46] succeeded.
8th February 1884. Son Montagu Arthur Bertie 7th Earl of Abingdon [aged 47] succeeded.
10th March 1928. Grandson Montagu Henry Edmund Cecil Towneley Bertie 8th Earl of Abingdon 13th Earl Lindsey [aged 40] succeeded.
11th September 1963. First Cousin Richard Bertie 14th Earl Lindsey 9th Earl of Abingdon [aged 32] succeeded.
On 30th November 1682 James Bertie 1st Earl of Abingdon [aged 29] was created 1st Earl Abingdon. Eleanor Lee Countess Abingdon by marriage Countess Abingdon.
On 15th April 1698 James Bertie 1st Earl of Abingdon [aged 44] and Catherine Chamberlayne Countess Abingdon [aged 30] were married at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Stanwell. She by marriage Countess Abingdon. He the son of Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey and Bridget Wray Countess Lindsey.
On 22nd May 1699 James Bertie 1st Earl of Abingdon [aged 45] died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Rycote. His son Montagu [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Earl Abingdon, 6th Baron Norreys of Rycote.
On 16th June 1743 Montagu Venables Bertie 2nd Earl of Abingdon [aged 70] died. His nephew Willoughby [aged 50] succeeded 3rd Earl Abingdon, 7th Baron Norreys of Rycote. Anna Maria Collins Countess Abingdon by marriage Countess Abingdon.
On 10th June 1760 Willoughby Bertie 3rd Earl of Abingdon [aged 67] died. His son Willoughby [aged 20] succeeded 4th Earl Abingdon, 8th Baron Norreys of Rycote.
On 26th September 1799 Willoughby Bertie 4th Earl of Abingdon [aged 59] died. His son Montagu [aged 15] succeeded 5th Earl Abingdon, 9th Baron Norreys of Rycote.
On 27th August 1807 Montagu Bertie 5th Earl of Abingdon [aged 23] and Emily Gage Countess of Abingdon were married. She by marriage Countess Abingdon. He the son of Willoughby Bertie 4th Earl of Abingdon and Charlotte Warren.
On 11th March 1841 Montagu Bertie 5th Earl of Abingdon [aged 56] and Frederica Kerr Countess of Abingdon [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Countess Abingdon. The difference in their ages was 31 years. He the son of Willoughby Bertie 4th Earl of Abingdon and Charlotte Warren.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 16th October 1854 Montagu Bertie 5th Earl of Abingdon [aged 70] died. His son Montagu [aged 46] succeeded 6th Earl Abingdon, 10th Baron Norreys of Rycote. Elizabeth Lavinia Harcourt Countess Abingdon by marriage Countess Abingdon.
On 8th February 1884 Montagu Bertie 6th Earl of Abingdon [aged 75] died. His son Montagu [aged 47] succeeded 7th Earl Abingdon, 11th Baron Norreys of Rycote.
On 10th March 1928 Montagu Arthur Bertie 7th Earl of Abingdon [aged 91] died. His grandson Montagu [aged 40] succeeded 8th Earl Abingdon, 12th Baron Norreys of Rycote. Elizabeth Valetta Montagu-Stuart-Wortley Countess Abingdon [aged 31] by marriage Countess Abingdon. It isn't clear whether their marriage took place before or after the death of his father.
On 11th September 1963 Montagu Henry Edmund Cecil Towneley Bertie 8th Earl of Abingdon 13th Earl Lindsey [aged 75] died. His first cousin Richard [aged 32] succeeded 14th Earl Lindsey, 9th Earl Abingdon, 13th Baron Norreys of Rycote.