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.
Earl Huntingdon is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically.
1165 Death of King Malcolm IV of Scotland
1377 Coronation of King Richard II
29th March 1461 Battle of Towton
There have been seven creations of Earl Huntingdon:
1st. 1071. Waltheof Northumbria 1st Earl of Northampton 1st Earl Huntingdon. Extinct. 6th June 1237.
2nd. 16th March 1337. William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon. Extinct. 31st October 1354.
3rd. 16th July 1377. Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon. Extinct. 1380.
4th. 1388. John Holland 1st Duke Exeter. Forfeit. 29th March 1461. 29th March 1461 Battle of Towton.
5th. 14th August 1471. Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset. Forfeit. 23rd February 1554. Wyatt's Rebellion.
6th. 1479. William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon. Extinct. 16th July 1491.
7th. 8th December 1529. George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon. Extant.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Succeeded Countesses of England, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1071. Waltheof Northumbria 1st Earl of Northampton 1st Earl Huntingdon created.
31st May 1076. Daughter Maud Queen Consort Scotland [aged 2] succeeded. See Revolt of the Earls.
1131. Son Henry Dunkeld 3rd Earl Huntingdon 1st Earl of Northumbria [aged 17] succeeded.
12th June 1152. Half Brother Simon Senlis 4th Earl Huntingdon 4th Earl of Northampton [aged 54] succeeded.
1157. Nephew King Malcolm IV of Scotland [aged 15] granted.
9th December 1165. Brother King William I of Scotland [aged 22] succeeded. See Death of King Malcolm IV of Scotland.
December 1174. Half First Cousin Simon Senlis 7th Earl Huntingdon 6th Earl of Northampton [aged 36] succeeded. See Treaty of Falaise.
1184. Half First Cousin David Dunkeld 8th Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] succeeded.
17th June 1219. Son John Dunkeld 9th Earl Huntingdon 7th Earl Chester 8th Earl Northampton [aged 12] succeeded.
6th June 1237. Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 19] extinct.
In 1070 Waltheof Northumbria 1st Earl of Northampton 1st Earl Huntingdon and Judith Flanders Countess Huntingdon [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Earldorman Northumbria, Countess Huntingdon. She, Judith, a niece of King William "Conqueror" I of England [aged 42]. She the daughter of Lambert Flanders II Count Lens and Adelaide Normandy Countess Troyes and Meaux Champagne Aumale Ponthieu [aged 40]. He the son of Siward "Stout" Earl of Northumbria and Aelfflaed Northumbria.
In 1071 Waltheof Northumbria 1st Earl of Northampton 1st Earl Huntingdon was created 1st Earl Huntingdon.
On 31st May 1076 Waltheof Northumbria 1st Earl of Northampton 1st Earl Huntingdon was beheaded at St Gile's Hill, Winchester. His daughter Maud [aged 2] succeeded 2nd Countess Huntingdon, 2nd Countess of Northampton.
After 1111 King David I of Scotland [aged 27] and Maud Queen Consort Scotland [aged 37] were married. He by marriage Earl Huntingdon. She the daughter of Waltheof Northumbria 1st Earl of Northampton 1st Earl Huntingdon and Judith Flanders Countess Huntingdon. He the son of King Malcolm III of Scotland and Margaret Wessex Queen Consort Scotland.
In 1131 Maud Queen Consort Scotland [aged 57] died. Her son Henry [aged 17] succeeded 3rd Earl Huntingdon, 3rd Earl of Northampton. Ada Warenne Countess Huntingdon and Northumbria [aged 11] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
In or before 1138 Simon Senlis 4th Earl Huntingdon 4th Earl of Northampton [aged 39] and Isabel Beaumont Countess Huntingdon and Northampton were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon, Countess of Northampton. She the daughter of Robert Beaumont 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 33] and Amice Gael Countess Leicester. He the son of Simon Senlis 1st Earl of Northampton, Earl of Huntingdon and Maud Queen Consort Scotland. They were half fifth cousin once removed.
On 12th June 1152 Henry Dunkeld 3rd Earl Huntingdon 1st Earl of Northumbria [aged 38] died. His half brother Simon [aged 54] succeeded 4th Earl Huntingdon, 4th Earl of Northampton. His son Malcolm [aged 11] succeeded 2nd Earl of Northumbria.
In 1157 brothers King Malcolm IV of Scotland [aged 15] and King William I of Scotland [aged 14] paid homage to King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 23] at Peverell Castle, Derbyshire [Map].
King Malcolm IV of Scotland was deprived of his lands in Cumbria and titles by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. Earl of Northumbria forfeit.
King Malcolm IV of Scotland was granted 5th Earl Huntingdon, 5th Earl of Northampton.
King William I of Scotland was deprived of the Earldom of Northumbria.
On 9th December 1165 King Malcolm IV of Scotland [aged 24] died. His brother William [aged 22] succeeded I King Scotland, 6th Earl Huntingdon.
In December 1174 King William I of Scotland [aged 31], imprisoned at Falaise Castle [Map], signed the Treaty of Falaise by which he agreed King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 41] was overlord of Scotland. He also agreed to marry a bride of Henry's choosing. He married Ermengarde Beaumont Sarthe Queen Consort Scotland [aged 4] twelve years later.
Simon Senlis 7th Earl Huntingdon 6th Earl of Northampton [aged 36] succeeded 7th Earl Huntingdon, 6th Earl of Northampton.
In 1184 Simon Senlis 7th Earl Huntingdon 6th Earl of Northampton [aged 46] died. His half first cousin David [aged 32] succeeded 8th Earl Huntingdon, 7th Earl of Northampton.
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.
Before 1194 David Dunkeld 8th Earl Huntingdon [aged 41] and Matilda Gernon Countess Huntingdon [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. She the daughter of Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester and Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester. He the son of Henry Dunkeld 3rd Earl Huntingdon 1st Earl of Northumbria and Ada Warenne Countess Huntingdon and Northumbria. They were half fourth cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 17th June 1219 David Dunkeld 8th Earl Huntingdon [aged 67] died. His son John [aged 12] succeeded 9th Earl Huntingdon, 8th Earl of Northampton. Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 1] by marriage Countess Huntingdon, Countess of Northampton.
On 6th June 1237 John Dunkeld 9th Earl Huntingdon 7th Earl Chester 8th Earl Northampton [aged 30] died. Matthew Paris suggests he was poisoned by his wife Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 19]. Earl Huntingdon, Earl of Northampton extinct. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
16th March 1337. William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 33] created.
31st October 1354. William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon extinct.
On 16th March 1337 William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 33] was created 1st Earl Huntingdon. Juliana Leybourne Countess Huntingdon [aged 34] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 31st October 1354 William Clinton 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 50] died. Earl Huntingdon extinct.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
16th July 1377. Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon created. See Coronation of King Richard II.
1380. Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon extinct.
On 16th July 1377 King Richard II of England [aged 10] was crowned II King of England at Westminster Abbey [Map] by Archbishop Simon Sudbury [aged 61].
Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel [aged 31] carried the Crown.
Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon was created 1st Earl Huntingdon for life.
John Mowbray 1st Earl Nottingham [aged 11] was created 1st Earl Nottingham.
Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle [aged 4] and Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington [aged 21] were knighted.
Roger Scales 4th Baron Scales [aged 23] attended.
In 1380 Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon died. Earl Huntingdon extinct.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Forfeit Earldoms of England.
Summary
1388. John Holland 1st Duke Exeter [aged 36] created.
16th January 1400. John Holland 1st Duke Exeter forfeit. See Epiphany Rising.
1416. Son John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter [aged 20] restored.
5th August 1447. Son Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter [aged 17] succeeded.
29th March 1461. Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter forfeit. See 29th March 1461 Battle of Towton.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1388 John Holland 1st Duke Exeter [aged 36] was created 1st Earl Huntingdon. Elizabeth Lancaster Duchess Exeter [aged 24] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 16th January 1400 John Holland 1st Duke Exeter [aged 48] was executed at Pleshey Castle [Map]. Duke Exeter, Earl Huntingdon forfeit. Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton [aged 53] arranged for the children of her dead brother Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel, who had been executed on the orders of John Holland 1st Duke Exeter three years before, to witness the execution.
In 1416 John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter [aged 20] was restored 2nd Duke Exeter, 2nd Earl Huntingdon.
On 5th August 1447 John Holland 2nd Duke Exeter [aged 52] died at Stepney [Map]. He was buried at the Church of St Katharine's by the Tower, Tower Hill [Map]. His son Henry [aged 17] succeeded 3rd Duke Exeter, 3rd Earl Huntingdon. Anne York Duchess Exeter [aged 7] by marriage Duchess Exeter.
On 29th March 1461 the Battle of Towton was a decisive victory for King Edward IV of England [aged 18] bringing to an end the first war of the Wars of the Roses. Said to be the bloodiest battle on English soil 28000 were killed mainly during the rout that followed the battle.
The Yorkist army was commanded by King Edward IV of England with John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 45], William Neville 1st Earl Kent [aged 56], William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 30] (knighted), Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy [aged 45], Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex [aged 57], John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 23] and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock [aged 61].
The Lancastrian army suffered significant casualties including Richard Percy [aged 35], Ralph Bigod Lord Morley [aged 50], John Bigod [aged 28], Robert Cromwell [aged 71], Ralph Eure [aged 49], John Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby [aged 51], John Beaumont [aged 33], Thomas Dethick [aged 61], Everard Simon Digby, William Plumpton [aged 25] and William Welles [aged 51] who were killed.
Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland [aged 39] was killed. Earl of Northumberland, Baron Percy of Alnwick, Baron Percy of Topcliffe forfeit.
Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 49] was killed. He was buried at the nearby Saxton church where his chest tomb is extant. Baron Dacre Gilsland extinct.
Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles [aged 55] was killed. His son Richard [aged 33] succeeded 7th Baron Welles.
The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 25], Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter [aged 30], Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland and Andrew Trollope.
Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter was attainted after the battle; Duke Exeter, Earl Huntingdon forfeit.
Those who fought for the Lancaster included William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme [aged 46], William Plumpton, John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 60], William Norreys [aged 20], Thomas Grey 1st Baron Grey of Richemont [aged 43], Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns [aged 30], John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 12], Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby, Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 56], James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde [aged 40], John Butler 6th Earl Ormonde [aged 39], William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont [aged 22], Henry Roos and Thomas Tresham [aged 41]. Cardinal John Morton [aged 41] were captured.
John Heron of Ford Castle Northumberland [aged 45], Robert Dethick [aged 86], Andrew Trollope and his son David Trollope were killed.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Forfeit Earldoms of England.
Summary
14th August 1471. Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 16] created.
20th September 1501. Son Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 24] succeeded.
10th October 1530. Son Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 13] succeeded.
23rd February 1554. Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk forfeit. See Wyatt's Rebellion.
On 14th August 1471 Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 16] was created 1st Earl Huntingdon.
On 20th September 1501 Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 46] died. His son Thomas [aged 24] succeeded 2nd Marquess Dorset, 2nd Earl Huntingdon, 8th Baron Ferrers of Groby. Eleanor St John Marchioness Dorset by marriage Marchioness Dorset.
On 10th October 1530 Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 53] died. His son Henry [aged 13] succeeded 3rd Marquess Dorset, 3rd Earl Huntingdon, 9th Baron Ferrers of Groby, 9th Baron Harington, 4th Baron Bonville.
On 23rd February 1554 Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 37] was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. Duke Suffolk, Marquess Dorset, Earl Huntingdon, Baron Ferrers of Groby, Baron Harington, Baron Bonville forfeit.
Dean Hugh Weston [aged 49] acted as Confessor.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1479. William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] created.
16th July 1491. William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon extinct.
In 1479 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] was compelled to relinquish the Earldom of Pembroke by King Edward IV [aged 36] who gave it to his son.
Edward Prince of Wales [aged 8] was created 1st Earl Pembroke.
In compensation William was created 1st Earl Huntingdon. Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 23] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
In 1484 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] and Katherine York Countess Huntingdon [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. She the illegitmate daughter of King Richard III of England [aged 31]. He the son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux [aged 54]. They were sixth cousins.
On 16th July 1491 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 40] died. Earl Huntingdon extinct. His daughter Elizabeth [aged 15] succeeded 3rd Baroness Herbert of Raglan.
Earl Huntingdon is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
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.
Summary
8th December 1529. George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 42] created. See Henry VIII Creates New Peerages.
24th March 1545. Son Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 31] succeeded.
20th June 1560. Son Henry Hastings 3rd Earl Huntingdon [aged 25] succeeded.
14th December 1595. Brother George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon [aged 55] succeeded.
30th December 1604. Grandson Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon [aged 18] succeeded.
14th November 1643. Son Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon [aged 35] succeeded.
13th February 1656. Son Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon [aged 5] succeeded.
30th May 1701. Son George Hastings 8th Earl Huntingdon [aged 24] succeeded.
1704. Half Brother Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon [aged 7] succeeded.
13th October 1746. Son Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon [aged 17] succeeded.
2nd October 1789. Fifth Cousin Once Removed Theophilus Henry Hastings 11th Earl Huntingdon [aged 60] de jure.
1819. Nephew Hans Francis Hastings 12th Earl Huntingdon [aged 39] succeeded.
9th December 1828. Son Francis Theophilus Henry Hastings 13th Earl Huntingdon [aged 20] succeeded.
13th September 1875. Son Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings 14th Earl Huntingdon [aged 33] succeeded.
20th May 1885. Son Warner Hastings 15th Earl Huntingdon [aged 16] succeeded.
5th April 1939. Son Francis Hastings 16th Earl Huntingdon [aged 38] succeeded.
24th August 1990. First Cousin Once Removed William Hastings-Bass 17th Earl of Huntingdon [aged 42] succeeded.
On 8th December 1529 King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 38] created three Earldoms...
Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 52] was created 1st Earl Wiltshire, 1st Earl Ormonde. Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 49] by marriage Countess Wiltshire, Countess Ormonde. His mother [aged 75] was the daughter of the last Earl Ormonde Thomas Butler 7th Earl Ormonde.
George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 42] was created 1st Earl Huntingdon. Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon [aged 46] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 46] was created 1st Earl of Sussex. Elizabeth Stafford Countess Sussex [aged 50] by marriage Countess of Sussex.
On 24th March 1545 George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 58] died. His son Francis [aged 31] succeeded 2nd Earl Huntingdon, 7th Baron Botreaux, 6th Baron Hungerford, 4th Baron Moleyns and 4th Baron Hastings. Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 34] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
In or before 1557 George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon [aged 16] and Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 42] and Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon [aged 45].
On 20th June 1560 Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon [aged 46] died. He was buried at the Hasting's Chapel, St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch [Map]. His son Henry [aged 25] succeeded 3rd Earl Huntingdon, 8th Baron Botreaux, 7th Baron Hungerford, 5th Baron Moleyns and 5th Baron Hastings. Katherine Dudley Countess Huntingdon [aged 22] by marriage Countess Huntingdon. See Monument [Map].
On 14th December 1595 Henry Hastings 3rd Earl Huntingdon [aged 60] died at York [Map]. On 26th April 1596 Henry Hastings 3rd Earl Huntingdon was buried at Hasting's Chapel, St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch [Map]. His brother George [aged 55] succeeded 4th Earl Huntingdon, 9th Baron Botreaux, 8th Baron Hungerford, 6th Baron Moleyns and 6th Baron Hastings. Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 30th December 1604 George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon [aged 64] died. His grandson Henry [aged 18] succeeded 5th Earl Huntingdon, 10th Baron Botreaux, 9th Baron Hungerford, 7th Baron Moleyns and 7th Baron Hastings. Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon [aged 16] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 14th November 1643 Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon [aged 57] died. His son Ferdinando [aged 35] succeeded 6th Earl Huntingdon, 11th Baron Botreaux, 10th Baron Hungerford, 8th Baron Moleyns and 8th Baron Hastings. Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon [aged 30] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 13th February 1656 Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon [aged 48] died. His son Theophilus [aged 5] succeeded 7th Earl Huntingdon, 12th Baron Botreaux, 11th Baron Hungerford, 9th Baron Moleyns and 9th Baron Hastings.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 19th February 1672 Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon [aged 21] and Elizabeth Lewis Countess Huntingdon [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon and Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon [aged 59].
On 8th May 1690 Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon [aged 39] and Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon [aged 26] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon and Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon.
On 30th May 1701 Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon [aged 50] died. His son George [aged 24] succeeded 8th Earl Huntingdon, 13th Baron Botreaux, 12th Baron Hungerford, 10th Baron Moleyns and 10th Baron Hastings. Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings [aged 19] received, after a legal dispute, in 1703, Ledston Hall and £3000 per year.
In 1704 George Hastings 8th Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] died. His half brother Theophilus [aged 7] succeeded 9th Earl Huntingdon, 14th Baron Botreaux, 13th Baron Hungerford, 11th Baron Moleyns and 11th Baron Hastings. His sister Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings [aged 21] inherited the his share of her grandfather John Lewis 1st Baronet's estates.
On 3rd June 1728 Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon [aged 31] and Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. The marriage was arranged by his half-sister Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings [aged 46]. She the daughter of Washington Shirley 2nd Earl Ferrers [aged 50] and Mary Levinge Countess Ferrers. He the son of Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon and Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon.
On 13th October 1746 Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon [aged 49] died. His son Francis [aged 17] succeeded 10th Earl Huntingdon, 15th Baron Botreaux, 14th Baron Hungerford, 12th Baron Moleyns and 12th Baron Hastings.
On 2nd October 1789 Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon [aged 60] died unmarried at the home of his nephew Francis Rawdon-Hastings 1st Marquess Hastings [aged 34]. His fifth cousin once removed Theophilus [aged 60] de jure 11th Earl Huntingdon although he wasn't aware of the fact. His sister Elizabeth [aged 58] succeeded 16th Baroness Botreaux, 15th Baroness Hungerford, 13th Baroness Moleyns and 13th Baroness Hastings
On 2nd April 1804 Theophilus Henry Hastings 11th Earl Huntingdon [aged 75] died. Hans Francis Hastings 12th Earl Huntingdon [aged 24] de jure 12th Earl Huntingdon although it wasn't until 1819 that after a long and complex investigation he was confirmed as the 12th Earl.
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.
In 1819 Hans Francis Hastings 12th Earl Huntingdon [aged 39] succeeded 12th Earl Huntingdon after a long and complex investigation which became the subject of the book The Huntingdon Peerage. Frances Cobbe Countess Huntingdon by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 9th December 1828 Hans Francis Hastings 12th Earl Huntingdon [aged 49] died. His son Francis [aged 20] succeeded 13th Earl Huntingdon.
On 13th September 1875 Francis Theophilus Henry Hastings 13th Earl Huntingdon [aged 67] died. His son Francis [aged 33] succeeded 14th Earl Huntingdon. Mary Anne Westenra Countess Huntingdon [aged 28] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 20th May 1885 Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings 14th Earl Huntingdon [aged 43] died. His son Warner [aged 16] succeeded 15th Earl Huntingdon.
On 11th June 1892 Warner Hastings 15th Earl Huntingdon [aged 23] and Maud Margaret Wilson Countess Huntingdon [aged 24] were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings 14th Earl Huntingdon and Mary Anne Westenra Countess Huntingdon [aged 44].
On 5th April 1939 Warner Hastings 15th Earl Huntingdon [aged 70] died. He was buried at Hasting's Chapel, St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch [Map]. His son Francis [aged 38] succeeded 16th Earl Huntingdon. Cristina Casati Stampa di Soncino Countess Huntingdon [aged 38] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
On 14th February 1944 Francis Hastings 16th Earl Huntingdon [aged 43] and Margaret Lane Countess Huntingdon [aged 36] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of Warner Hastings 15th Earl Huntingdon and Maud Margaret Wilson Countess Huntingdon [aged 76].
On 24th August 1990 Francis Hastings 16th Earl Huntingdon [aged 89] died. He was buried at Hasting's Chapel, St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch [Map]. His first cousin once removed William [aged 42] succeeded 17th Earl Huntingdon.