On this Day in History ... 20th May

On 20th May 794 Æthelberht II King East Anglia was beheaded on the orders of King Offa of Mercia.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 794. This year Offa, King of Mercia, commanded that King Ethelbert should be beheaded;

On 20th May 1315 Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France was born to King John I of Bohemia (age 18) and Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia (age 23).

On 20th May 1349 Archbishop John de Ufford died of plague.

On or after 20th May 1474 John VI Duke of Mecklenburg (deceased) died of plague.

Close Rolls Edward IV Edward V Richard III 1476-1485. 20th May 1483 King Richard III of England (age 30). Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant to the king's kinsman Henry Duke of Buckingham (age 28), of the supervision and power of array of the king's subjects in the counties of Salop, Hereford, Somerset, Dorset and Wilts. By p.s.

Close Rolls Edward IV Edward V Richard III 1476-1485. 20th May 1483 King Richard III of England (age 30). Westminster Palace [Map]. Grant for life to the king's servant William Hastings (age 52), knight, of the office of master and worker of the king's moneys and keeper of the exchange within the Tower of London [Map], the realm of England and the town of Calais according to the form of certain indentures, receiving the accustomed fees. By p.s.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th May 1554. The xx day of May my lade Elsabeth (age 20) the quen('s) (age 38) syster cam owt of the Towre, and toke her barge at Towre warfe [Map], and so to Rychemond [Map], and from thens unto Wyndsor [Map], and so to Wodstoke [Map].

Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th May 1560. The xx day of May was send to the Towre [Map] master Fecknam (age 45), docthur Wattsun (age 45) latt byshope of Lynkolne, and docthur Colle (age 60) latt dene of Powlles, and docthur Chadsay; and at nyght abowtt viij of the cloke was send to the Flett [Map] docthur Score (age 50), and master Fecknam the last abbot of Westmynster, to Towre [Map].

On 20th May 1560 Bishop William Alley (age 50) was elected Bishop of Exeter on the recommendation of Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 26). Henry Machyn in his diary of 02 Apr 1560 refers to Bishop William Alley as being 'bishop elect of Exeter'.

On 20th May 1561 John Eyre died. On 15th December 1558 Margaret Blennerhasset died. They were buried in All Saints Church, Narborough [Map]. Brass. The inscription on the brass says "Here do lye John Eyer Esquire late Receyvor Generale to Elizabeth the Quenes Majestie, in the counties of Norf., Suff., Cantabridge, and Huntyngton, and one of the Masters of her High Court of Chancerye and Margaret his wyfe, one of the daughters of Sir Thomas Blenerhaiset of Frens Knight late Wyfe of John, Spelman Esquire, son and heyre apparent of Sir John Spelman, Knyght." Armorials top left and middle Quartered Eyre Arms and Townshend Arms with a crescent difference, top right Quartered Eyre Arms and Townshend Arms impaled with 1&6 Blennerhassett Arms, 2, Argent, three Escutcheons Sable: LOWDHAM 3 Gules a Pall reversed Ermine: KELVEDON or KELDON 4 Azure a Lion rampant Argent crowned Or: ORTON: 5 Azure a Fess between three Fleurs-de-lis Or: SKELTON.

John Eyre: After 27th December 1545 he and Margaret Blennerhasset were married. Her second husband.

Margaret Blennerhasset: she was born to Thomas Blennerhassett of Frens. Before 27th December 1545 John Spelman of and she were married.

Engravings of Sepulchral Brasses Volume 1. Plate LXXII. John Eyer, Esq. And Wife, at Narburgh [Map], 1561.

Blomefield’s Norf. vi, 159.

Another civilian in armour, and another mural monument, in its general features much resembling the last. On the desk, covered with a cloth, having a gold fringe, lie his gauntlets beside his prayer-book. Between them is Eyer quartering Townsend, and behind her the same shield impales Blenerhasset and his quarterings, described in p. 35. This John Eyer was a great purchaser of religious houses that were dissolved by Henry VIII. and bought of that king four monasteries at Lynn. He was possessed also of Bury Abbey, and died without issue.

On 20th May 1576 Robert "The Elder" Peake (age 25) became a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.

Diary of Anne Clifford. 20th May 1616. Upon the 2oth being Monday I dispatch'd Mr Marsh with letters to my Mother about the business aforesaid. I sent them unsealed because my Lord (age 27) might see them.

My Brother Compton (age 32)¹ and his wife kept the house at West Horsley and my Brother Beauchamp (age 30) and my sister his wife sojourned with them so as the Child was with both her aunts.

Note 1. Sir Henry Compton of Brambletye House (3rd son of Henry, 1st Lord Compton) married Lady Cecily Sackville daughter of Robert Earl of Dorset.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th May 1662. Sir W. Pen (age 41) and I did a little business at the office, and so home again. Then comes Dean Fuller (age 54) after we had dined, but I got something for him, and very merry we were for an hour or two, and I am most pleased with his company and goodness. At last parted, and my wife and I by coach to the Opera, and there saw the 2nd part of "The Siege of Rhodes", but it is not so well done as when Roxalana (age 20) was there, who, it is said, is now owned by my Lord of Oxford (age 35)¹.

Note 1. For note on Mrs. Davenport, who was deceived by a pretended marriage with the Earl of Oxford, see ante. Lord Oxford's first wife died in 1659. He married, in 1672, his second wife, Diana Kirke, of whom nothing more need be said than that she bore an inappropriate Christian name.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th May 1664. Up and to my office, whither by and by comes Mr. Cholmely (age 31), and staying till the rest of the company come he told me how Mr. Edward Montagu (age 29) is turned out of the Court, not [to] return again. His fault, I perceive, was his pride, and most of all his affecting to seem great with the Queene (age 54) and it seems indeed had more of her eare than any body else, and would be with her talking alone two or three hours together; insomuch that the Lords about the King (age 33), when he would be jesting with them about their wives, would tell the King that he must have a care of his wife too, for she hath now the gallant: and they say the King himself did once ask Montagu how his mistress (meaning the Queene) did. He grew so proud, and despised every body, besides suffering nobody, he or she, to get or do any thing about the Queene, that they all laboured to do him a good turn. They also say that he did give some affront to the Duke of Monmouth (age 15), which the King himself did speak to him of. But strange it is that this man should, from the greatest negligence in the world, come to be the miracle of attendance, so as to take all offices from everybody, either men or women, about the Queene. Insomuch that he was observed as a miracle, but that which is the worst, that which in a wise manner performed [would] turn to his greatest advantage, was by being so observed employed to his greatest wrong, the world concluding that there must be something more than ordinary to cause him to do this. So he is gone, nobody pitying but laughing at him; and he pretends only that he is gone to his father, that is sick in the country.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th May 1666. Lord's Day. With my wife to church in the morning. At noon dined mighty nobly, ourselves alone. After dinner my wife and Mercer by coach to Greenwich, Kent [Map], to be gossip to Mrs. Daniel's child. I out to Westminster, and straight to Mrs. Martin's, and there did what I would with her, she staying at home all the day for me; and not being well pleased with her over free and loose company, I away to Westminster Abbey [Map], and there fell in discourse with Mr. Blagrave, whom I find a sober politique man, that gets money and increase of places, and thence by coach home, and thence by water after I had discoursed awhile with Mr. Yeabsly, whom I met and took up in my coach with me, and who hath this day presented my Lord Ashly (age 44) with £100 to bespeak his friendship to him in his accounts now before us; and my Lord hath received it, and so I believe is as bad, as to bribes, as what the world says of him.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th May 1667. Up betimes, and comes my flagelette master to set me a new tune, which I played presently, and shall in a month do as much as I desire at it. He being gone, I to several businesses in my chamber, and then by coach to the Commissioners of Excise, and so to Westminster Hall [Map], and there spoke with several persons I had to do with. Here among other news, I hear that the Commissioners for the Treasury were named by the King (age 36) yesterday; but who they are nobody could tell: but the persons are the Chancellor (age 58), the two Secretaries, Lord Ashly (age 45), and others say Sir W. Coventry (age 39) and Sir John Duncomb (age 44), but all conclude the Duke of Albemarle (age 58); but reports do differ, but will be known in a day or two.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th May 1668. Thence walked to the King's playhouse, and saw "The Mulberry Garden" again, and cannot be reconciled to it, but only to find here and there an independent sentence of wit, and that is all. Here met with Creed; and took him to Hales's (age 68), and there saw the beginnings of Harris's (age 34) head which he draws for me, which I do not yet like. So he and I down to the New Exchange, and there cheapened ribbands for my wife, and so down to the Whey house and drank some and eat some curds, which did by and by make my belly ake mightily. So he and I to White Hall, and walked over the Park to the Mulberry-Garden [Map]¹, where I never was before; and find it a very silly place, worse than Spring-garden, and but little company, and those a rascally, whoring, roguing sort of people, only a wilderness here, that is somewhat pretty, but rude. Did not stay to drink, but walked an hour and so away to Charing Cross [Map], and there took coach and away home, in my way going into Bishopsgate Street, to bespeak places for myself and boy to go to Cambridge in the coach this week, and so to Brampton [Map], to see my wife. So home, and to supper and to bed.

Note 1. On the site of the present Buckingham Palace and gardens. Originally a garden [Map] of mulberry trees, planted by James I in 1609 with the intention of cultivating the manufacture of English silks.

On 20th May 1694 Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot (age 65) committed suicide. Viscount Teviot extinct.

On 20th May 1713 Bishop Thomas Sprat (age 78) died of apoplexy at the Bishop's Palace, Bromley. He was buried in the south side of the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].

Stonehenge by William Stukeley. Table II. Prospect of the Roman Road & Wansdyke just above Caston May 20 1724. This demonstrates that Wansdyke was made before the Roman Road. [Note. Stukeley would have been stood here [Map] to record this view. Note the gibbet on top of Furze Knoll [Map]. On the left Cherhill aka Oldbury Hill Fort [Map].]

Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire. The only barrow yet discovered in a low situation in the neighbourhood of Middleton is placed in a meadow called Larks Lowe [Map], and near the rivulet called the Bradford; this tumulus was opened on the 20th of May 1825 when the cist was found to be constructed of large flat stones placed edge-ways with similar ones serving for the cover; it contained the decayed fragments of a human skeleton. On the eastern side of the barrow was found an urn of coarse earthy full of calcined bones and dry mould, the top protected by a flat piece of lime-stone, upon which was placed a small, shallow, earthen vessel very firmly baked, (of the kind denominated by Sir Richard Hoare (age 66) "incense cups"), a pin of bronze, two and a quarter inches long; several animal teeth and bones, amongst them a horse's tooth, a circular pebble, and a stone of peculiar shape; the large urn was of so friable a nature, that it probably had no other baking than what it received in the funeral fire, from this cause it was found impracticable to preserve it entire. June 19, 1826, it was thought advisable to reopen the very interesting barrow [Map] on Garratt Piece, Middleton, which was opened by Dr. Pegge in 1788, and described in the Archæologia, vol. ix, page 189; in it were found animal bones, one of which was calcined; a portion of the lower branch of an antler of the red deer, six inches in length, which had been tooled at the root by a sharp instrument; also some rats' bones. (See a subsequent examination of this barrow.)

On 20th May 1832 John William Montagu 7th Earl Sandwich (age 20) played for the Cambridge University cricket team against Cambridge Town; he scored two runs.

On 20th May 1846 Eleanor Forster (age 74) died. Memorial at the Chapel of St John the Evangelist, Bolton [Map].

Eleanor Forster: On or before 23rd July 1771, the date she was baptised, she was born to Matthew Forster and Jane Brown. Before 23rd June 1805 William Burrell and she were married.

On 20th May 1850 James Collinson (age 25) resigned from Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood being opposed to the Brotherhood bringing the Christian religion into disrepute when Millais' Christ in the House of his Parents was accused of being blasphemous.

On 20th May 1893 Horatio Corbin Walpole (age 2) died. Monument in Church of St Andrew, Wickmere [Map].

Horatio Corbin Walpole: On 9th January 1891 he was born to Robert Walpole 5th Earl Orford.

The London Gazette 27435. 20th May 1902. IMPERIAL YEOMANRY

Royal 1st Devon, The undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants:—

W. C. Barnes. Dated 3rd May, 1902.

E. R., Viscount Boringdon (age 25). Dated 3rd May. 1902.

The current Kew Bridge [Map] was opened on 20th May 1903 by King Edward VII (age 61) and Queen Alexandra (age 58).

On 20th May 1910 King Edward VII of the United Kingdom (deceased) was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map].

On 20th May 1912 George William Hanover (age 31) died in a car accident. Somewhat ironically he was driving to the funeral of his maternal uncle Frederick VIII King Denmark (deceased) when he skidded on a newly laid road surface. He and his valet Karl Grebe were killed in the accident. There is a monument at the site.

From the web:

Probably overtired, the car raced into loose gravel rock at 90 kilometers per hour, came off the road to the right, knocked down three trees and drilled into the earth with a destroyed front axle. Prince Georg Wilhelm and his valet Grebe – Karl Grebe – died instantly. The chauffeur sitting in the back survived slightly injured. The dead were laid out in the church of Nackel and brought a little later with military honors to Friesack station.

At the station, the coffins were loaded into the carriage to the songs of the Friesacker men's choir, which brought the crown prince to the funeral in Gmunden, Austria. The Friesacker stationmaster, Joachim Gahl, it is said, received a letter from Austria including two cufflinks decorated with diamonds and the initials "GW" thanks to his duty. Hanover's royal family thanked the villagers because they had shown themselves so compassionate. Monetary donations were made to the church, the warrior federation and the virgin association. In the church, a plaque commemorates the laying out and that the congregation sang before the transfer of the dead.

After 20th May 1918. St Mary's Church, Rolleston on Dove [Map]. Grave of Private B Smith, Army Pay Corps.

He was killed in the last Zeppelin raid in London on 20th May 1918, aged 38. This was not the Zeppelin dirigible which immediately springs to mind, but Rfa 501's R VI Staaken 'giant' heavy bombers which carried out 11 raids on Great Britain between 28th September 1917 and 20th May 1918. ​Before the war, he was the manager of the Pearl Assurance Company in Pinxton. He was married to Mary, née Ault.

On 20th May 1315 Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France was born to King John I of Bohemia (age 18) and Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia (age 23).

On 20th May 1364 Henry "Hotspur" Percy was born to Henry Percy 1st Earl of Northumberland (age 22) and Margaret Neville (age 35) at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry III of England.

On 20th May 1443 John Strange 8th Baron Strange Knockin 4th Baron Mohun Dunster was born to Richard Strange 3rd Baron Dunster 7th Baron Strange Knockin (age 61) and Elizabeth Cobham Baroness Strange and Mohun (age 24).

On 20th May 1551 Elisabeth Hohenzollern was born to Albert "The Elder" Hohenzollern I Duke Prussia (age 61) and Anna Maria Guelph Duchess Prussia (age 19).

On 20th May 1572 Bishop John Davenant was born.

On 20th May 1714 Henry Bathurst 2nd Earl Bathurst was born to Allen Bathurst 1st Earl Bathurst (age 29) and Catherine Apsley Countess Bathurst Sussex. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%.

On 20th May 1726 John Browne 1st Baron Kilmaine was born to John Browne 5th Baronet (age 40).

On 20th May 1726 Ulrike Amelie Wilhelmine Oldenburg was born to Peter August Oldenburg I Duke Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck (age 28) and Sophie of Hesse-Philippsthal Duchess Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck (age 31).

On 20th May 1726 Francis Cotes was born to Robert Cotes.

On 20th May 1753 John Monson 3rd Baron Monson was born to John Monson 2nd Baron Monson (age 25).

On 20th May 1763 William Wellesley aka Wellesley-Pole 3rd Earl Mornington was born to Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington (age 27) and Anne Hill Countess Mornington (age 20). His great uncle William Pole of Ballyfin in Ireland (age 50) was his godfather.

On 20th May 1773 Helena Moore Countess Kingston was born to Stephen Moore 1st Earl Mount Cashell (age 42) and Helena Rawdon Countess Mount Cashell.

On 20th May 1780 Charles Cavendish-Bentinck was born to William Cavendish-Bentinck 3rd Duke Portland (age 42) and Dorothy Cavendish 3rd Duchess Portland (age 29).

On 20th May 1784 William Fellowes Wallop was born to John Wallop 2nd Earl Portsmouth (age 41) and Urania Fellowes (age 42).

On 20th May 1788 George Denys 1st Baronet was born to Peter Denys (age 28) and Charlotte Fermor (age 22).

On 20th May 1800 Francis Baring 3rd Baron Ashburton was born to Alexander Baring 1st Baron Ashburton (age 25) and Ann Louisa Bingham Baroness Ashburton (age 18) at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

On 20th May 1808 Frances Bacon was born to Edmund Bacon 10th and 9th Baronet (age 28) and Mary Anne Elizabeth Bacon (age 30). Coefficient of inbreeding 3.12%.

On 20th May 1808 Admiral Edward Harris was born to James Edward Harris 2nd Earl Malmesbury (age 29) and Harriet Susan Dashwood (age 25).

On 20th May 1810 Algernon George Percy 6th Duke Northumberland was born to George Percy 5th Duke Northumberland (age 31) and Louisa Harcourt Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie (age 28).

On 20th May 1810 Barbara Yelverton Marchioness Hastings was born to Henry Gould Yelverton 19th Baron Grey Ruthyn (age 29).

On 20th May 1821 Amalia Elisabeth Hesse Darmstadt was born to Louis Hesse Darmstadt II Grand Duke (age 43) and Princess Wilhelmine Baden (age 32). Coefficient of inbreeding 7.03%.

On 20th May 1824 Montagu Francis Finch Osborn was born to John Osborn 5th Baronet (age 51) and Frederica Louisa Davers.

On 20th May 1830 John Blencowe Robinson 8th Baronet was born to George Robinson 7th Baronet (age 32).

On 20th May 1835 Richard Harington 11th Baronet was born to Reverend Richard Harington (age 35).

On 20th May 1840 Henry Strutt 2nd Baron Belper was born to Edward Strutt 1st Baron Belper (age 38) and Amelia Harriet Otter Baroness Belper (age 23) at St Helen's House King Street, Derby [Map].

On 20th May 1872 Ileene Frances Cairne Hastings was born to Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings 14th Earl Huntingdon (age 30).

On 20th May 1875 Montrose Stuart Graham 11th Baronet was born to Robert James Graham 10th Baronet (age 29).

On 20th May 1884 Helen Cynthia Crewe Milnes was born to Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe Milnes 1st Marquess of Crewe (age 26) and Sibyl Marcia Graham Baroness Houghton (age 26).

On 20th May 1886 John Jacob Astor 1st Baron Astor was born to William Waldorf Astor 1st Viscount Astor (age 38) and Mary Dahlgren Paul (age 28).

On 20th May 1892 Moira Godolphin Osborne was born to George Godolphin Osborne 10th Duke Leeds (age 29) and Katherine Frances Lambton Duchess Leeds (age 29).

On 20th May 1892 John Evans 10th Baron Carbery was born to Algernon George Evans 9th Baron Carbery (age 23).

On 20th May 1907 David John Smith was born to Frederick Smith 2nd Viscount Hambleden (age 38) and Esther Georgiana Caroline Gore Viscountess Hambleden (age 37).

On 20th May 1914 Evelyn Diana Noel Lady Lethbridge was born to Francis Arthur Gerard Noel (age 33).

On 20th May 1916 Francis George Blackwood 10th Baron Dufferin and Clandeboye was born to Captain Maurice Baldwin Raymond Blackwood (age 33).

On 20th May 1917 Rosamund Boughton was born to Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 33) and Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 23).

On 20th May 1918 William David Ormsby-Gore 5th Baron Harlech was born to George Arthur Ormsby-Gore 4th Baron Harlech (age 33) and Beatrice Edith Mildred Gascoyne-Cecil Baroness Harlech (age 26).

On 20th May 1930 Filmer Courtenay William Honywood 11th Baronet was born to William Wynne Honywood 10th Baronet (age 39).

On 20th May 1937 Benjamin Guinness 3rd Earl of Iveagh was born to Arthur Guinness (age 25).

On 20th May 1964 Charles Spencer 9th Earl Spencer was born to John Spencer 8th Earl Spencer (age 40) and Frances Ruth Roche Countess Spencer (age 28).

On 20th May 1455 George Gordon 2nd Earl Huntley and Elizabeth Dunbar were married. She the daughter of John Dunbar 1st Earl of Moray and Marjorie Stewart Countess Moray. He the son of Alexander Gordon 1st Earl Huntley and Elizabeth Crichton Countess Huntley (age 45).

On 20th May 1567 Henry Paget 2nd Baron Paget Beaudasert (age 28) and Catherine Knyvet Baroness Geneville Beaudasert (age 24) were married. She by marriage Baroness Paget Beaudasert.

On 20th May 1630 Peter Temple 2nd Baronet (age 38) and Christian Leveson (age 18) were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.

On 20th May 1714 James Waldegrave 1st Earl Waldegrave (age 30) and Mary Webb (age 19) were married. He the son of Henry Waldegrave 1st Baron Waldegrave and Henrietta Fitzjames Countess Newcastle (age 47). They were fourth cousins. He a grandson of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 20th May 1716 John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 26) and Bridget Bennet Viscountess Lymington (age 19) were married. They had six sons and four daughters. She the daughter of Charles Bennet 1st Earl Tankerville (age 42) and Mary Grey Baroness Ossulston.

On 20th May 1732 William Neville 1st Baron Abergavenny (age 37) and Rebecca Herbert Baroness Abergavenny were married. She by marriage Baroness Abergavenny. She the daughter of Thomas Herbert 8th Earl Pembroke 5th Earl Montgomery (age 76) and Margaret Sawyer Countess Pembroke and Montgomery.

On 20th May 1736 Gervase Disney (age 26) and Mary Thorpe 14th Baroness Cobham (age 19) were married.

On 20th May 1756 Frederick North 2nd Earl Guildford (age 24) and Anne Speke Countess Guilford (age 16) were married. He the son of Francis North 1st Earl Guildford (age 52) and Lucy Montagu Baroness Guildford.

On 20th May 1771 Charles Egleton aka Kent 1st Baronet (age 28) and Mary Wordsworth Lady Kent (age 20) were married.

On 20th May 1772 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers (age 46) and Anne Pole (age 20) were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years.

On 20th May 1776 Francis Ingram Seymour-Conway 2nd Marquess Hertford (age 33) and Isabella Anne Ingram Marchioness Hertford (age 16) were married. He the son of Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford (age 57) and Isabella Fitzroy Countess Hertford (age 49). They were sixth cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 20th May 1782 John Fane 10th Earl of Westmoreland (age 22) and Sarah Anne Child Countess of Westmoreland (age 17) were married at Gretna Green. She by marriage Countess of Westmoreland. He the son of John Fane 9th Earl of Westmoreland and Augusta Bertie.

On 20th May 1812 William Beauchamp-Proctor 3rd Baronet (age 30) and Anne Gregory Lady Beauchamp-Proctor (age 20) were married. They had three sons and four daughters.

On 20th May 1816 Francis Bond Head 1st Baronet (age 23) and Julia Valenza Somerville Lady Head (age 23) were married.

On 20th May 1835 George Denys 1st Baronet (age 47) and Catherine Elizabeth Perceval were married.

On 20th May 1871 George Robert Osborn 6th Baronet (age 57) and Mary Elizabeth Sitwell (age 49) were married.

On 20th May 1924 William Arthington Worsley 4th Baronet (age 34) and Joyce Morgan Brunner Lady Worsley (age 29) were married at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map].

On 20th May 794 Æthelberht II King East Anglia was beheaded on the orders of King Offa of Mercia.

On 20th May 1310 John Moels 1st Baron Moels (age 41) died. His son Nicholas (age 20) succeeded 2nd Baron Moels.

On 20th May 1344 Robert Clifford 3rd Baron Clifford (age 38) died. His son Robert (age 15) succeeded 4th Baron de Clifford.

On 20th May 1349 Archbishop John de Ufford died of plague.

On 20th May 1449 Álvaro Vaz Almada 1st Count Avranches (age 59) died.

On 20th May 1475 Alice Chaucer Duchess Suffolk (age 71) died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Ewelme [Map].

On 20th May 1510 Richard Lumley 3rd Baron Lumley (age 33) died. On 20th May 1510 His son John (age 18) succeeded 4th Baron Lumley.

On 20th May 1571 Richard Butler 1st Viscount Mountgarret (age 71) died. His son Edmund (age 9) succeeded 2nd Viscount Mountgarret.

On 20th May 1694 Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot (age 65) committed suicide. Viscount Teviot extinct.

On 20th May 1713 Bishop Thomas Sprat (age 78) died of apoplexy at the Bishop's Palace, Bromley. He was buried in the south side of the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].

On 20th May 1723 Robert Davers 3rd Baronet (age 39) died. His brother Jermyn (age 37) succeeded 4th Baronet Davers of Rougham in Suffolk.

On 20th May 1728 Reginald Graham 2nd Baronet (age 57) died. His son Bellingham (age 26) succeeded 3rd Baronet Graham of Norton Conyers in Yorkshire.

On 20th May 1734 William Vane 1st Viscount Vane (age 52) died at Fairlawne, Shipbourne. His son William (age 20) succeeded 2nd Viscount Vane.

On 20th May 1737 Elizabeth Hall Lady Buckworth died. She was buried at St Peter le Poer Church, Broad Street on 27th May 1737.

On 20th May 1768 Elizabeth Sloane Baroness Cadogan (age 73) died.

On 20th May 1781 Bernard Ward 1st Viscount Bangor (age 61) died. His son Nicholas (age 30) succeeded 2nd Viscount Bangor of Castleward in County Downe.

On 20th May 1807 Richard Boyle 2nd Earl Shannon (age 80) died.

On 20th May 1812 Mary Heathcote Countess Macclesfield died.

On 20th May 1827 James Stewart 7th Baronet (age 71) died.

On 20th May 1829 William Mansel 10th Baronet (age 63) died. His son John (age 22) succeeded 11th Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe.

On 20th May 1851 Margaretta Elizabeth Wilson Baroness Arden (age 83) died.

On 20th May 1854 Catherine Fortescue Countess Portsmouth (age 67) died.

On 20th May 1870 Norman Macdonald Lockhart 4th Baronet (age 25) died. His brother Simon (age 21) succeeded 5th Baronet Lockhart of Less and Carwath.

On 20th May 1885 Francis Power Plantagenet Hastings 14th Earl Huntingdon (age 43) died. His son Warner (age 16) succeeded 15th Earl Huntingdon.

On 20th May 1900 Frederick Hervey-Bathurst 4th Baronet (age 67) died. His son Frederick (age 30) succeeded 5th Baronet Hervey-Bathurst of Lainston in Hampshire.

On 20th May 1912 George William Hanover (age 31) died in a car accident. Somewhat ironically he was driving to the funeral of his maternal uncle Frederick VIII King Denmark (deceased) when he skidded on a newly laid road surface. He and his valet Karl Grebe were killed in the accident. There is a monument at the site.

From the web:

Probably overtired, the car raced into loose gravel rock at 90 kilometers per hour, came off the road to the right, knocked down three trees and drilled into the earth with a destroyed front axle. Prince Georg Wilhelm and his valet Grebe – Karl Grebe – died instantly. The chauffeur sitting in the back survived slightly injured. The dead were laid out in the church of Nackel and brought a little later with military honors to Friesack station.

At the station, the coffins were loaded into the carriage to the songs of the Friesacker men's choir, which brought the crown prince to the funeral in Gmunden, Austria. The Friesacker stationmaster, Joachim Gahl, it is said, received a letter from Austria including two cufflinks decorated with diamonds and the initials "GW" thanks to his duty. Hanover's royal family thanked the villagers because they had shown themselves so compassionate. Monetary donations were made to the church, the warrior federation and the virgin association. In the church, a plaque commemorates the laying out and that the congregation sang before the transfer of the dead.

On 20th May 1914 Katherine Somerset Baroness Ormathwaite (age 79) died.

On 20th May 1915 George Herbert Farrar 1st Baronet (age 55) died. Baronet Farrar of Chicheley Hall extinct.

On 20th May 1947 George Puxley Duntze 5th Baronet (age 73) died. His son George (age 33) succeeded 6th Baronet Duntze of Tiverton in Devon.

On 20th May 1956 Algernon Strutt 3rd Baron Belper (age 73) died. His son Alexander (age 44) succeeded 4th Baron Belper.

On 20th May 1984 Richard Duke Coleridge 4th Baron Coleridge (age 78) died. His son William (age 46) succeeded 5th Baron Coleridge of Ottery St Mary in Devon.

On 20th May 1985 George Edwin Douglas Duntze 6th Baronet (age 71) died. There were successors to the Baronetcy but none appear to have claimed their succession. Baronet Duntze of Tiverton in Devon is, therefore, not on the Official Roll of the Baronetage, with the baronetcy considered dormant since 1985.