Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Extinct Viscountcies of England is in Viscountcies of England.
Around 1176 Roscelin Beaumont Sarthe 7th Viscount Beaumont died. His son Richard [aged 41] succeeded I Viscount of Beaumont le Vicomte. Viscount Beaumont extinct.
On 14th February 1492 William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley [aged 66] died. Marquess Berkeley, Earl Nottingham, Viscount Berkeley extinct.
Baron Berkeley Feudal retained by the King.
Maurice Berkeley 3rd Baron Berkeley [aged 57] succeeded 3rd Baron Berkeley. Isabel Meade 3rd Baroness Berkeley by marriage Baroness Berkeley.
On 19th December 1507 William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont [aged 69] died at Wivenhoe, Essex [Map] where he was buried. Viscount Beaumont extinct. Baron Beaumont and Baron Bardolf of Wormegay in Norfolk abeyant between his two nieces Joanne Lovell and Frideswell Lovell. The issue of Frideswell Lovell were disbarred from succeededing when her son Henry Norreys [aged 25] was attainted. The issue of Joanne Lovell included his great nephews including Henry Norreys, George Stapleton [aged 28] and great-great nephew Brian Stapleton [aged 30]. The title of Baron Beaumont was called out of abeyance in 1840 for Miles Thomas Stapleton 8th Baron Beaumont, a descendant of Brian Stapleton and an 11 x great-nephew of William Beaumont.
On 13th March 1540 Henry Bourchier 2nd Earl Essex 3rd Count of Eu died. Earl Essex, Viscount Bourchier extinct. His daughter Anne [aged 23] succeeded 7th Baroness Bourchier. His second cousin once removed John [aged 41] succeeded 2nd Count Eu. Neither he or his descendants used the title.
In 1611 Thomas Howard 3rd Viscount Howard Bindon died. Viscount Howard Bindon extinct.
On 11th June 1638 Paul Bayning 2nd Viscount Bayning [aged 22] died without male issue. Viscount Bayning, Baron Bayning of Horkesley in Essex extinct.
In August 1643 Edward Radclyffe 6th Earl of Sussex [aged 84] died. Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fitzwalter extinct.
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.
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On 30th October 1660 James Hay 2nd Earl Carlisle [aged 48] died. Earl Carlisle, Viscount Doncaster extinct.
In October 1678 Anne Bayning Viscountess Bayning [aged 59] died. Viscount Bayning extinct.
On 9th April 1697 William Craven 1st Earl Craven [aged 88] died. Earl Craven in Yorkshire, Viscount Craven of Uffington in Berkshire and Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire extinct. His half first cousin three times removed William [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
On 31st August 1700 William Savile 2nd Marquess Halifax [aged 35] died without male issue. Marquess Halifax, Earl Halifax, Viscount Halifax and Baron Savile of Elland extinct. His first cousin twice removed John [aged 50] succeeded 6th Baronet Savile of Thornhill
On 26th December 1702 Fitton Gerard 3rd Earl Macclesfield [aged 39] died. Earl Macclesfield, Viscount Brandon of Brandon in Suffolk and Baron Gerard of Brandon in Suffolk extinct.
On 28th June 1716 George Fitzroy 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 50] died at Epsom, Surrey without legitimate issue. Duke Northumberland, Earl of Northumberland, Viscount Falmouth, Baron Pontefract extinct.
On 15th August 1718 William Constable 4th Viscount Dunbar [aged 64] died without legitimate issue. Viscount Dunbar extinct.
On 23rd May 1723 James Saunderson 1st Earl Castleton [aged 56] died unmarried. Earl Castleton and Viscount Castleton extinct. His estates were inherited by his cousin Thomas Lumley-Saunderson 3rd Earl Scarborough [aged 32] who added Saunderson to his surname.
On 9th May 1737 John Savage 5th Earl Rivers [aged 72] died unmarried since he was a Catholic priest. Earl Rivers, Viscount Colchester, Viscount Savage, Baron Darcy of Chiche and Baronet Savage of Rocksavage in Cheshire extinct.
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 5th June 1740 Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent [aged 69] died without surviving male issue. Duke Kent, Marquess Kent, Earl Kent and Viscount Gooderich extinct. His granddaughter Jemima [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Marchioness Grey.
Monument at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map] sculpted by Edward Shepherd.
On 10th February 1747 Charles Bruce 4th Earl Elgin 3rd Earl Ailesbury [aged 64] died. Earl Ailesbury, Viscount Bruce of Ampthill in Bedfordshire, Baron Bruce of Skelton in Yorkshire, Baron Bruce of Whorlton in Yorkshire extinct.
Thomas Brudenell 1st Earl Ailesbury [aged 17] succeeded 2nd Baron Bruce of Tottenham in Wiltshire.
Charles Bruce 9th Earl Kincardine 5th Earl Elgin [aged 14] succeeded 5th Earl Elgin.
On 29th February 1756 Benjamin Mildmay 1st Earl Fitzwalter [aged 83] died. Earl Fitzwalter, Viscount Harwich Essex extinct. Baron Fitzwalter abeyant between the issue of his aunt Mary Mildmay. The abeyance was terminated 30 Sep 1924 after nearly 169 years in favour of one of the co-heirs Henry FitzWalter Plumptre 20th Baron FitzWalter.
On 15th July 1757 John Robartes 4th Earl Radnor [aged 71] died unmarried. Earl Radnor, Viscount Bodmin, Baron Robartes of Truro in Cornwall, Baronet Robartes extinct.
On 15th December 1762 Henry Charles Hatton 3rd Viscount [aged 62] died. Viscount Hatton and Baron Hatton extinct.
On 17th November 1768 Thomas Pelham Holles 1st Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne [aged 75] died without issue. He was buried in the Pelham family vault at All Saint's Church, Laughton. Duke Newcastle upon Tyne, Marquess Clare, Earl Clare, Viscount Haughton and Baron Pelham of Laughton extinct.
Henry Fiennes Pelham-Clinton 2nd Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne [aged 48] succeeded 2nd Duke Newcastle under Lyme.
Thomas Pelham 1st Earl Chichester [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Baron Pelham of Stanmer in Sussex and 6th Baronet Pelham of Laughton.
On 8th April 1798 Henry Noel 6th Earl Gainsborough [aged 55] died without issue. He was buried in St Luke's Church, Kinoulton. The title Earl Gainsborough, Viscount Campden, Baron Hicks of Ilmington in Warwickshire extinct.
On 5th August 1799 Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe [aged 73] died. Earl Howe, Viscount Howe extinct. His daughter Sophia succeeded 2nd Baroness Howe. His brother William [aged 69] succeeded 5th Viscount Howe, 5th Baron Glenawley. Frances Conolly Viscountess Howe by marriage Viscountess Howe.
In 1815 Reverend Charles Belasyse 7th Viscount Fauconberg [aged 64] died without issue. Viscount Faunconberg and Baronet Belasyse of Newborough extinct.
On 9th September 1824 John Hampden-Trevor 3rd Viscount Hampden [aged 76] died. Viscount Hampden, Baron Trevor Bromham extinct.
On 11th February 1829 Francis Henry Egerton 8th Earl Bridgewater [aged 72] died. He was buried at Bridgewater Chapel, St Peter and St Paul Church, Little Gaddesden. Monument sculpted by Richard Westmacott [aged 53]. Earl Bridgewater, Viscount Brackley, Baron Ellesmere extinct.
Francis Henry Egerton 8th Earl Bridgewater: On 11th November 1756 he was born to Bishop John Egerton and Anne Sophia Grey. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%. On 8th November 1781 Francis Henry Egerton 8th Earl Bridgewater was elected Fellow of the Royal Society. On 31st March 1791 Francis Henry Egerton 8th Earl Bridgewater was elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
On 17th June 1830 William Harcourt 3rd Earl Harcourt [aged 87] died without issue. Earl Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt and Viscount Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire extinct. Archbishop Edward Venables-Vernon-Harcourt [aged 72] succeeded to the Harcourt estates and adopted the additional surname Harcourt.
On 6th March 1833 John Ward 1st Earl of Dudley [aged 51] died. Earl of Dudley of Dudley Castle in Staffordshire and Viscount Dudley and Ward of Dudley in Worcestershire extinct. His second cousin William [aged 52] succeeded 10th Baron Ward of Birmingham.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1834 Matthew Barnewall 6th Viscount Barnewall died. Viscount Barnewall, Baron Turvey extinct.
On 26th May 1835 William "Kitty" Courtenay 9th Earl Devon [aged 66] died at Paris [Map]. His second cousin William [aged 57] succeeded 10th Earl Devon. Viscount Courtenay extinct. Henrietta Leslie Pepys Countess Devon [aged 57] by marriage Countess Devon.
On 8th January 1854 General William Carr Beresford 1st Viscount Beresford [aged 85] died. Viscount Beresford of Beresford in Staffordshire and Baron Beresford of Albuera and Dungarvan in the County of Waterford extinct.
On 17th June 1862 Charles Canning 1st Earl Canning [aged 49] died without issue. Earl Canning, Viscount Canning extinct.
On 26th September 1883 Charles Somers-Cocks 3rd Earl Somers [aged 64] died. Earl Somers, Viscount Eastnor of Eastor Castle in Herefordshire extinct. He was buried at St John the Baptist Church, Eastnor [Map]. His first cousin once removed Philip [aged 68] succeeded 5th Baron Somers.
On 28th December 1888 Charles Shaw-Lefevre 1st Viscount Eversley [aged 94] died. Viscount Eversley of Heckfield in Southampton extinct.
On 21st August 1891 Harry George Powlett 4th Duke Cleveland [aged 88] died at Cleveland House, 16 St James' Square, St James'. Duke of Cleveland, Marquess of Cleveland, Earl Darlington and Viscount Barnard, Baron Raby of Raby Castle in County Durham extinct.
Henry de Vere Vane 9th Baron Barnard [aged 37] succeeded 9th Baron Barnard. Catherine Sarah Cecil Baroness Barnard [aged 30] by marriage Baroness Barnard.
On 17th March 1921 Adelbert Wellington Brownlow Cust 3rd Earl Brownlow [aged 76] died. Earl Brownlow, Viscount Alford extinct. His second cousin Adelbert [aged 53] succeeded 5th Baron Brownlow of Belton in Lincolnshire, 8th Baronet Cust of Stamford in Lincolnshire, and inherited Belton House [Map]. Maud Buckle Baroness Brownlow [aged 50] by marriage Baroness Brownlow of Belton in Lincolnshire.
On 30th August 1923 Horace Farquhar 1st Earl Farquhar [aged 79] died unmarried at his home 7 Grosvenor Square, Belgravia. Earl Farquhar, Viscount Farquhar of Saint Marylebone in London, Baron Farquhar of Saint Marylebone in London and Baronet Townsend-Farquhar of Cavendish Square in Saint Marylebone in London extinct. In his will he left many large legacies to his friends, including members of the Royal Family, but although his estate was assessed for probate at £400,000 the entire sum was taken up by debts, leaving nothing and revealing that Farquhar had been an undisclosed bankrupt.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 23rd September 1923 Frederick Oliver Robinson 2nd Marquess Ripon [aged 71] died on Dallowgill Moor Studley Royal Park, North Yorkshire having collapsed after shooting fifty-two birds that morning. Marquess Ripon, Earl de Grey, Earl Ripon, Viscount Gooderich of Nocton in Lincolnshire, Baron Grantham, Baronet Robinson of Newby in Yorkshire extinct.
On 7th September 1933 Edward Grey 1st Viscount Fallodon [aged 71] died. Viscount Grey of Fallodon in Northumberland extinct. His second cousin Charles [aged 53] succeeded 4th Baronet Grey of Fallodon.
On 15th October 1934 Sydney Charles Buxton 1st Earl Buxton [aged 80] at Newtimber. Earl Buxton and Viscount Buxton of Newtimber in Sussex extinct.
In 1941 Charles Manners-Sutton 6th Viscount Canterbury [aged 69] died. Viscount Canterbury of Canterbury, Baron Bottesford of Bottesford in Leicestershire extinct.
On 1st November 1941 Edgar Vincent 1st Viscount D'Abernon [aged 84] died. Viscount D'Abernon of Esher and Stoke D'Abernon in Surrey, Baron D'Abernon of Esher in Surrey and Baronet Vincent of Stoke d'Abernon extinct.
On 15th January 1942 Randal Mowbray Thomas Berkeley 8th Earl of Berkeley [aged 76] died without issue. Earl Berkeley and Viscount Dursley extinct. Berkeley Castle [Map] was inherited by his 13th cousin Robert George Wilmot Berkeley [aged 43].
In 1954 Vere Frederick Bertie 2nd Viscount Bertie [aged 75] died. Viscount Bertie Thame, Baron Bertie of Thame in Oxfordshire extinct.
On 24th November 1958 Edgar Gascoyne-Cecil 1st Viscount Cecil [aged 94] died. Viscount Cecil of Chelwood of East Grinstead in Sussex extinct.
On 17th October 1961 Harry Frederick Crookshank 1st Viscount Crookshank [aged 68] died. Viscount Crookshank of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire extinct.
Memorial to Harry Frederick Crookshank 1st Viscount Crookshank and his sister Helen Elizabeth at Lincoln Cathedral [Map] where both he and his sister are buried.
Harry Frederick Crookshank 1st Viscount Crookshank: On 27th May 1893 he was born at Cairo, Egypt. The London Gazette 40684. Whitehall, January 13, 1956. The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm, bearing date the 13th instant, to confer the dignity of a Viscounty of the United Kingdom upon Captain the Right Honourable Harry Frederick Comfort Crookshank, C.H., and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style and title of Viscount Crookshank, of Gainsborough in the County of Lincoln.
On 17th May 1962 Henry Edmund Fitzalan Howard 2nd Viscount Fitzalan Derwent Derby [aged 78] died. Viscount Fitzalan Derwent Derby extinct.
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.
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On 3rd January 1979 William Lygon 8th Earl Beauchamp [aged 75] died without male issue. Earl Beauchamp, Viscount Elmley of Worcestershire, Baron Beauchamp Powick in Worcestershire extinct.
On 3rd January 1979 William Edward Harcourt 2nd Viscount Harcourt [aged 70] died. Viscount Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire extinct.
On 18th December 1981 Anthony Chaplin 3rd Viscount Chaplin died. Viscount Chaplin of Saint Oswald's in Blankney in Lincolnshire extinct.
On 16th February 1985 Frederick Smith 3rd Earl of Birkenhead [aged 48] died. Earl Birkenhead, Viscount Furneaux of Charlton in Northamptonshire, Viscount Birkenhead of Birkenhead in Cheshire, Baron Birkenhead of Birkenhead in Cheshire, Baronet Smith of Hillbrook extinct.
On 17th August 1985 Nicholas Eden 2nd Earl Avon [aged 54] died unmarried. Earl of Avon and Viscount Eden of Royal Leamington Spa in Warwickshire extinct.
On 29th May 1988 Sheriden Frederick Terence Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood 5th Marquess of Dufferin and Ava [aged 49] died. Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, Earl of Ava in County Down and Burma, Earl of Dufferin in County Down, Viscount Dufferin of Claneboye in County Down, Baron Claneboye of Claneboye in County Down, Baronet Blackwood of Killyleagh in County Down extinct. His fourth cousin once removed Francis [aged 72] succeeded 10th Baron Dufferin and Claneboye of Ballyleidy and Killyleagh in County Down.
On 1st May 1995 William Anthony Furness 2nd Viscount Furness [aged 66] died unmarried. Viscount Furness of Grantley in the West Riding of Yorkshire, Baron Furness of Grantley in the West Riding of Yorkshire extinct.
On 30th December 2000 Anthony Fitz-Clarence 7th Earl of Munster [aged 74] died. Earl Munster, Viscount Fitzclarence and Baron Tewkesbury extinct.
In 2003 Michael George Hamar Greenwood 3rd Viscount Greenwood [aged 80] died unmarried. Viscount Greenwood of Holbourne in London, Baron Greenwood of Llanbister in Radnorshire and Baronet Greenwood of Onslow Gardens in Kensington extinct.
In 2017 Victor George Spencer 3rd Viscount Churchill [aged 83] died. Viscount Churchill of Rolleston in Leicestershire extinct. His second cousin once removed Richard [aged 91] succeeded 6th Baron Churchill Wychwood in Oxfordshire.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 10th January 2018 Victor Brooke 3rd Viscount Alanbrooke [aged 85] died. Viscount Alanbrook, Baron Alanbrooke of Brookeborough in County Fermanagh extinct.