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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MP Totnes is in Member Parliament.
In 1472 William Hody (age 31) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1559 Nicholas Poyntz of Iron Acton (age 31) was appointed MP Totnes.
In 1589 Richard Edgecumbe (age 19) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1679 Edward Seymour 4th Baronet (age 46) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1695 Edward Seymour 4th Baronet (age 62) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1701 Christopher Musgrave 4th Baronet (age 69) was elected MP Totnes.
On 22nd April 1717 John Germain 1st Baronet (age 66) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1722 Joseph Banks of Revesby Abbey, Lincolnshire (age 56) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1774 James Amyatt of Freemantle in Hampshire (age 39) was elected MP Totnes which seat he held until 1780.
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 1788 William Henry Vane 1st Duke Cleveland (age 21) was elected MP Totnes which seat he held until 1790.
In 1811 Thomas Peregrine Courtenay (age 28) was elected MP Totnes.
In 1834 Edward Adolphus Seymour 12th Duke of Somerset (age 29) was elected MP Totnes.