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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Manche is in France.
In December 1157 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 24] and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 35] held Christmas Court at Cherbourg [Map].
In 1295 John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort [aged 30] burned Cherbourg [Map].
In September 1443 John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset [aged 40] led 7000 men to Cherbourg [Map]. He returned around December 1443 having achieved nothing but the loss of all his funds and, possibly, half his men.
In August 1443 John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset [aged 40] landed 7000 men at Cherbourg [Map] and then marched south. His campaign achieved little being bought off by Francis Montfort I Duke Brittany [aged 29]. He marched through Maine [Map] then returned to England in the winter of 1443.
Chronicle of Gregory. 13th January 1450. Ande aftyr Synt Hyllary is day the Parlyment was remevyd unto Laycetter [Map]; ande yn the mene tyme was Caneyoldyn, ande alle the remenaunt of Normandy, savyng Chyrborowe [Map]. And the Duke of Sowthefolke [aged 53] was a-pechide at that Parlyment, he beynge at London, of verry graunte tresou, and of many poyntys; among alle othyr, for that he schulde have solde Normandy, and also for the dethe of that nobylle prynce the Duke of Glouceter, and for many othyr poyntys of treson, for the whyche he was exylyd out of Ingelonde for certayne yerys.