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 Aylesford is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
1714. Heneage Finch 1st Earl Aylesford [aged 65] created.
22nd July 1719. Son Heneage Finch 2nd Earl Aylesford [aged 36] succeeded.
29th June 1757. Son Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Aylesford [aged 41] succeeded.
9th May 1777. Son Heneage Finch 4th Earl Aylesford [aged 25] succeeded.
21st October 1812. Son Heneage Finch 5th Earl Aylesford [aged 26] succeeded.
3rd January 1859. Son Heneage Finch 6th Earl Aylesford [aged 34] succeeded.
10th January 1871. Son Heneage Finch 7th Earl Aylesford [aged 22] succeeded.
1885. Brother Charles Wightwick Finch 8th Earl of Aylesford [aged 34] succeeded.
1924. Grandson Captain Heneage Michael Charles Finch 9th Earl of Aylesford [aged 15] succeeded.
28th May 1940. Uncle Charles Daniel Finch-Knightley 10th Earl of Aylesford [aged 53] succeeded.
20th March 1958. Son Charles Finch-Knightley 11th Earl of Aylesford [aged 39] succeeded.
19th February 2008. Son Heneage Charles Finch-Knightley 12th Earl of Aylesford [aged 60] succeeded.
In 1714 Heneage Finch 1st Earl Aylesford [aged 65] was created 1st Earl Aylesford. Elizabeth Banks Countess Aylesford by marriage Countess Aylesford.
On 22nd July 1719 Heneage Finch 1st Earl Aylesford [aged 70] died. His son Heneage [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Earl Aylesford. Mary Fisher Countess Aylesford [aged 29] by marriage Countess Aylesford.
On 29th June 1757 Heneage Finch 2nd Earl Aylesford [aged 74] died. His son Heneage [aged 41] succeeded 3rd Earl Aylesford. Charlotte Seymour Countess Aylesford [aged 26] by marriage Countess Aylesford.
On 9th May 1777 Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Aylesford [aged 61] died. His son Heneage [aged 25] succeeded 4th Earl Aylesford.
On 18th November 1781 Heneage Finch 4th Earl Aylesford [aged 30] and Louisa Thynne Countess Aylesford [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Countess Aylesford. She the daughter of Thomas Thynne 1st Marquess of Bath [aged 47] and Elizabeth Bentinck Marchioness Bath [aged 46]. He the son of Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Aylesford and Charlotte Seymour Countess Aylesford [aged 51].
On 21st October 1812 Heneage Finch 4th Earl Aylesford [aged 61] died. His son Heneage [aged 26] succeeded 5th Earl Aylesford.
On 23rd April 1821 Heneage Finch 5th Earl Aylesford [aged 34] and Augusta Sophia Greville Countess Aylesford were married. She by marriage Countess Aylesford. She the daughter of George Greville 2nd Earl Warwick and Brooke and Henrietta Vernon Countess Warwick and Brooke [aged 60]. He the son of Heneage Finch 4th Earl Aylesford and Louisa Thynne Countess Aylesford [aged 61]. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 3rd January 1859 Heneage Finch 5th Earl Aylesford [aged 72] died. His son Heneage [aged 34] succeeded 6th Earl Aylesford.
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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In 1871 Heneage Finch 7th Earl Aylesford [aged 22] and Edith Williams Countess Aylesford [aged 27] were married. She by marriage Countess Aylesford. He the son of Heneage Finch 6th Earl Aylesford [aged 46].
On 10th January 1871 Heneage Finch 6th Earl Aylesford [aged 46] died. His son Heneage [aged 22] succeeded 7th Earl Aylesford.
In 1885 Heneage Finch 7th Earl Aylesford [aged 36] died. His brother Charles [aged 34] succeeded 8th Earl Aylesford.
In 1924 Charles Wightwick Finch 8th Earl of Aylesford [aged 73] died. His grandson Heneage [aged 15] succeeded 9th Earl Aylesford.
On 28th May 1940 Captain Heneage Michael Charles Finch 9th Earl of Aylesford [aged 31] was killed in action. His uncle Charles [aged 53] succeeded 10th Earl Aylesford.
On 20th March 1958 Charles Daniel Finch-Knightley 10th Earl of Aylesford [aged 71] died. His son Charles [aged 39] succeeded 11th Earl Aylesford.
On 19th February 2008 Charles Finch-Knightley 11th Earl of Aylesford [aged 89] died. His son Heneage [aged 60] succeeded 12th Earl Aylesford.