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The 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." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Biography of William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York 1101-1179

Paternal Family Tree: Blois

1138 Battle of the Standard aka Northallerton

1141 First Battle of Lincoln

Before 1101 [his father] Stephen Blois Count Aumale (age 30) and [his mother] Hawise Mortimer Countess Aumale were married. She by marriage Countess Aumale. He the son of [his grandfather] Odo Blois Count Troyes, Champagne and Aumale and 1st Earl Holderness (age 60) and [his grandmother] Adelaide Normandy Countess Troyes and Meaux Champagne Aumale Ponthieu.

Around 1101 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York was born to Stephen Blois Count Aumale (age 31) and Hawise Mortimer Countess Aumale.

In 1127 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York (age 26) was created 1st Earl Albemarle 1C 1127.

In 1127 [his father] Stephen Blois Count Aumale (age 57) died. He was buried at Wigmore Abbey [Map]. Earl Holderness Feudal extinct.

In 1127 [his mother] Hawise Mortimer Countess Aumale died. She was buried at Wigmore Abbey [Map].

Flowers of History by Roger of Wendover 1138. How the king of Scotland again invaded Northumberland.

Whilst king Stephen was thus engaged in the south of England, David king of Scots led an immense army into Northumberland. Here he was met by the northern nobility, who, under the command of Thurstan archbishop of York, planted the king's standard at Alverton1, and manfully resisted the enemy. The principal men engaged in this battle were William earl of Albemarle (age 36), William of Nottingham, Walter Espec and Gilbert de Lacy. The archbishop was prevented by illness from being present, but sent in his place Ralph bishop of Durham [Note. Possibly Bishop Radulf Novell, Bishop of Orkney?] to remind the people of their duty. His speech to them, from an eminence in the midst of the army, was after this fashion: "Brave nobles of England, Normans by birth, at whose prowess the bravery of France trembles, and to whose arms fierce England has submitted, under whose government rich Apulia2 has again flourished: Jerusalem, so famous, and illustrious Antioch have both bowed before you, and now Scotland, which by right is subject to you, dares to resist you, and displays a rashness which is not supported by her arms, fitter, as she is, for a riot than for a battle. Do not then be afraid, but rather be indignant that those, whom we have always sought out and conquered in their own country, have now, reversing the usual order, madly sought us out upon our own ground. But I, your bishop, tell you that this has been done as a divine warning, that those who have in this country violated the temples of God, polluted his altars, slain his priests, and spared neither children nor women with child, may on this same soil receive condign punishment for their crimes. Be brave then, ye polished warriors: and with the valour which belongs to your race, nay rather with the foreknowledge of God, repulse these craven foes who know not how to arm themselves in the day of battle3 Do not look out for any doubtful contingencies such as happen in war. Your breast is covered with your coat of mail, your head with the helmet, your legs with greaves, and all your bodies with your shields: the enemy cannot find where to strike you, for he beholds you surrounded on every side with arms. Why then should you hesitate unarmed and unwarlike? But the enemy are advancing in disorder and forbid me to say more, they are pouring forward in a scattered manner, at which I rejoice. Whichever of you shall fall fighting for God and your country, we absolve him from all punishment due to his sins, in the name of the Father, whose creatures the foe has so shamefully and horribly slain; of the Son, whose altars they have polluted; and of the Holy Ghost, whose grace they have set at naught, in perpetrating such enormous acts of wickedness." All the English army replied to this address with a shout, and the mountains and hills re-echoed Amen, Amen!

Note 1. North Allerton.

Note 3. The Normans in Naples.

Note 3. Is this an allusion the Scottish peculiarity of costume?

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Battle of the Standard aka Northallerton

On 22nd August 1138 an English army commanded by William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York (age 37), William "The Younger" Peverell (age 58) and Robert III Stuteville defeated a Scottish army led by King David I of Scotland (age 54) and his son Henry Dunkeld 3rd Earl Huntingdon 1st Earl of Northumbria (age 24). The battle was fought at Cowton Moor, Northallerton. The name "Battle of the Standard refers to the standard i.e. mast, pole, mounted on a cart on which the banners of the Bishops of Durham, York, Beverly and Ripon which were flown.

Robert III Stuteville: he was born to Robert Stuteville at Estouteville. Before 1186 Robert III Stuteville and Helewise de Murdac were married. In 1186 Robert III Stuteville died. Before 1186 Robert III Stuteville and Sibilla Valognes were married.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 22nd August 1138. In this year came David, King of Scotland (age 54), with an immense army to this land. He was ambitious to win this land; but against him came William, Earl of Albemarle (age 37), to whom the king (age 44) had committed York, and other borderers, with few men, and fought against them, and routed the king at the Standard, and slew very many of his gang.

After 22nd August 1138 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York (age 37) was created 1st Earl York for his role at the Battle of the Standard; see Chronicle of John Prior of Hexham.

First Battle of Lincoln

On 2nd February 1141 the army of Empress Matilda (age 38) commanded by Robert Normandy 1st Earl Gloucester (age 42) defeated the army of King Stephen I England (age 47). Matilda's army included Ranulf Gernon 4th Earl Chester (age 42) and Madog ap Maredudd Mathrafal Prince Powys. King Stephen I England, Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln (age 15), William "The Younger" Peverell (age 61) and Ilbert Lacy 3rd Baron Pontefract were captured. William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York (age 40) fought for Stephen, his cousin.

Around 1158 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York (age 57) and Cecily Skipton Countess Aumale and York (age 20) were married. She by marriage Countess Albemarle, Countess York. The difference in their ages was 37 years. He the son of Stephen Blois Count Aumale and Hawise Mortimer Countess Aumale.

On 20th August 1179 William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York (age 78) died. His daughter [his daughter] Hawise succeeded 2nd Countess Albemarle. Earl York extinct. The succession of the Earldom of York is somewhat unclear; it may have been created for life only, or for male succession only.

In 1190 [his former wife] Cecily Skipton Countess Aumale and York (age 52) died.

Hawise Blois 2nd Countess Albemarle and Essex was born to William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York and Cecily Skipton Countess Aumale and York. She married (1) 1180 William Mandeville 3rd Earl Essex Count Aumale, son of Geoffrey Mandeville 1st Earl Essex and Rohese Vere Countess Essex and Hertford (2) 3rd July 1190 William Forz 2nd Earl Albemarle and had issue (3) 1195 Baldwin Béthune Count Aumale and had issue.

Royal Ancestors of William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York 1101-1179

Kings Franks: Great x 10 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Royal Descendants of William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York 1101-1179

Queen Jane Seymour

Brigadier-General Charles FitzClarence

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Queen Consort Camilla Shand

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York 1101-1179

Great x 3 Grandfather: Odo Blois I Count Blois

Great x 4 Grandmother: Luitgarde Vermandois Duchess Normandy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Odo Blois II Count Blois

Great x 4 Grandfather: Conrad I King Burgundy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bertha Welf Queen Consort France

Great x 1 Grandfather: Stephen Blois II Count Troyes and Meaux

Great x 3 Grandfather: William IV Auvergne

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ermengarde Auvergne Countess Blois

GrandFather: Odo Blois Count Troyes, Champagne and Aumale and 1st Earl Holderness

Great x 1 Grandmother: Adele Unknown

Father: Stephen Blois Count Aumale

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sprota Unknown

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy

Great x 4 Grandfather: Unknown Unknown

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gunnora Countess Ponthieu

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy

GrandMother: Adelaide Normandy Countess Troyes and Meaux Champagne Aumale Ponthieu

William of Blois 1st Earl Albemarle 1st Earl York