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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.

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Governors

Governors is in Crown.

Governor of Bamburgh Castle

Ralph Grey of Chillingham was appointed Governor of Bamburgh Castle.

Governor of Berwick on Tweed

In 1539 William Eure 1st Baron Eure (age 56) was appointed Governor of Berwick on Tweed.

On 25th August 1568 Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon (age 42) was appointed Governor of Berwick on Tweed.

In 1598 Peregrine Bertie 13th Baron Willoughby (age 42) was appointed Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick on Tweed.

John Conyers 3rd Baron Conyers was appointed Governor of Berwick on Tweed.

Governor of Brest

In 1388 Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel (age 42) was appointed Governor of Brest. He was buried at Church of Augustin Friars Bread Street.

Governor of Bristol Castle

In 1307 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 31) was appointed Governor of Bristol Castle.

Governor of Calais

In 1377 William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby (age 46) was appointed Governor of Calais.

Governor of Carlisle Castle

In October 1265 Roger Leybourne (age 50) was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle and High Sheriff of Cumberland.

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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After 1296 Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 21) was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.

In 1484 Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 60) was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle and Warden of the West Marches.

On 18th June 1525 Henry Fitzroy (age 6) was taken by barge to Bridewell Palace [Map] where he was enobled by his father King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 33).

In the morning Henry Fitzroy was created 1st Earl Nottingham.

In the afternoon Henry Fitzroy was created 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset.

Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland (age 47) carried the Sword of State. Thomas More (age 47) read the patents of nobility. Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 41), Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset (age 47),

Henry Courtenay (age 29) was created 1st Marquess Exeter. Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter (age 22) by marriage Marchioness Exeter.

Henry Clifford (age 32) was created 1st Earl of Cumberland, Warden of the West Marches and Governor of Carlisle Castle.

Thomas Manners (age 33) was created 1st Earl of Rutland. Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 30) by marriage Countess of Rutland. He was given the Earldom of Rutland to reflect his descent from Anne York Duchess Exeter sister of the previous Earl of Rutland. At the same time his arms Manners Arms were augmented with the Manners Augmented Arms

Henry Brandon (age 2) was created 1st Earl Lincoln.

Robert Radclyffe (age 42) was created 1st Viscount Fitzwalter.

Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 48) was created 1st Viscount Rochford. Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde (age 45) by marriage Viscountess Rochford.

Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 52), William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel (age 49) and John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford (age 25) attended.

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After 1643 Philip Musgrave 2nd Baronet (age 35) was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.

In 1677 Christopher Musgrave 4th Baronet (age 45) was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.

John Conyers 3rd Baron Conyers was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.

Governor of Chester

In February 1645 John Owen (age 45) was appointed Sergeant Major General of foot under the Governor of Chester, John Byron 1st Baron Byron (age 46).

Governor of Conwy Castle

Around December 1644 John Owen (age 44) was appointed Governor of Conwy Castle.

Governor of Corfe Castle

In 1299 Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 49) was appointed Governor of Corfe Castle.

Governor of Dover Castle

John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd April 1686. Sir Edward Hales (age 41), a papist, made Governor of Dover Castle .

Governor of Framlingham Castle

In 1314 John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort (age 49) was appointed Governor of Framlingham Castle.

Governor of Gravesend

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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In 1667 John Griffith was appointed Governor of Gravesend.

Governor of Newark Castle

Robert Pierrepont was appointed Governor of Newark Castle.

Governor of Pendennis Castle

In 1629 William Killigrew (age 23) was appointed Governor of Pendennis Castle.

John Killigrew was appointed Governor of Pendennis Castle.

Governor of Portsmouth

In 1547 Anthony Knyvet (age 30) was appointed Governor of Portsmouth and oversaw the construction of Southsea Castle [Map].

Governor of Queenborough Castle

Francis Cheney was appointed Governor of Queenborough Castle.

Governor of Rochester Castle

William Saye was appointed Governor of Rochester Castle.

Governor of Scarborough Castle

In 1273 John Vesci was appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle.

In 1319 Thomas Ughtred 1st Baron Ughtred (age 27) was appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle.

Governor of Sheerness

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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John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd June 1672. At Sheerness [Map], I gave his Majesty (age 42) and his Royal Highness (age 38) an account of my charge, and returned to Queenborough [Map]; next day dined at Major Dorel's, Governor of Sheerness; thence, to Rochester, Kent [Map]; and the following day, home.

Governor of St Briavels Castle

In 1291 John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort (age 26) was appointed Governor of St Briavels Castle.

Governor of Wallingford Castle

In 1642 Thomas Blagge (age 29) was appointed Governor of Wallingford Castle.

Governor of Weymouth

On 17th June 1644 William Sydenham (age 29) was appointed Governor of Weymouth by Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 53).

Governor of Winchester Castle

In 1307 Robert Fitzpayn 1st Baron Fitzpayn (age 53) was appointed Governor of Winchester Castle.

Governor of the Channel Isles

In 1247 Nicholas Moels (age 52) was appointed Governor of the Channel Isles.

Richard Grey was appointed Governor of the Channel Isles.

Governor of the Isle of Wight

On 14th August 1649 William Sydenham (age 34) and Colonel Fleetwood were appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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In 1734 John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 43) was appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight which office he held until 1742.

In 1791 Thomas Orde-Powlett 1st Baron Bolton (age 50) was appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight.

Governor of the Leeward Islands

John Evelyn's Diary. 14th November 1671. To Council, where Sir Charles Wheeler (age 51), late Governor of the Leeward Islands, having been complained of for many indiscreet managements, it was resolved, on scanning many of the particulars, to advise his Majesty (age 41) to remove him; and consult what was to be done, to prevent these inconveniences he had brought things to. This business staid me in London almost a week, being in Council, or Committee, every morning till the 25th.

Governor of the Scilly Isles

In 1608 William Godolphin (age 41) was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.

Before 1636 William Godolphin was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.

On 18th April 1733 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin (age 54) was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.

In 1766 Francis Godolphin 2nd Baron Goldolphin (age 59) was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.

Thomas Godolphin was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.

Deeds of King Henry V

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.

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Sidney Godolphin was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.

Lieutenant Governor of the Scilly Isles

In 1597 William Godolphin (age 30) was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Scilly Isles.

In 1739 Francis Godolphin 2nd Baron Goldolphin (age 32) was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Scilly Isles.