Text this colour is a link for Members only. Support us by becoming a Member for only £3 a month by joining our 'Buy Me A Coffee page'; Membership gives you access to all content and removes ads.

Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.



All About History Books

The 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. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

On this Day in History ... 23rd May

23 May is in May.

1070 Council of Windsor

1162 Thomas Becket appointed Archbishop of Canterbury

1390 St George's Day Jousting

1430 Capture of Joan of Arc at the Siege of Compiègne

1455 First Battle of St Albans

1460 June Yorkist Landing at Sandwich

1467 Tournament Bastard of Burgundy

1533 Cranmer declares Henry and Catherine's Marriage Invalid

1533 Marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

1536 Betrothal of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour

1536 Trial of Anne and George Boleyn

1550 Visit of the French Ambassadors

1557 Creation of Garter Knights

1587 Execution of Mary Queen of Scots

1661 Creation of Baronets and Peerages by Charles II Post Coronation

1706 Battle of Ramilles

1793 Battle of Famars

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 23rd May

On 23rd May 1052 King Philip I of France was born to King Henry I of France (age 44) and Anne Rurik Queen Consort France (age 22).

John of Worcester. 23rd May 1070. On Whitsunday [3rd May] the king (age 42), at Windsor, Berkshire [Map], gave the archbishopric of York to the venerable Thomas, canon of Bayeux, and the bishopric of Winchester to his chaplain, Walkeline. On the following day, by the king's command, Ermenfrid, bishop of Sion, held a synod, [the other legates] the cardinals John and Peter having returned to Rome. At this synod, Ethelric, bishop of Sussex, was uncanonically deposed; and although he was guilty of no crime, the king soon afterwards placed him in confinement at Marlborough, Wiltshire [Map]; several abbots were also deprived. After these depositions, the king gave the bishopric of East-Anglia to Arfast, and the bishopric of Sussex to Stigand79, who were both his chaplains; which Stigand transferred his see to Chichester, the chief city in his diocese: the king also gave abbeys to some Norman monks. The archbishop of Canterbury being degraded, and the archbishop of York dead, Walkeline was, by the king's command, consecrated by the same Ermenfrid, bishop of Sion, on the octave of Whitsunday [30th May].

Note 79. This first bishop of Chichester must not be confounded with the archbishop of the same name.

On 23rd May 1107 King Louis VI of France (age 25) and Lucienne Rochefort (age 19) were divorced.

. 23rd May 1125. The emperor Henry (age 43) died, and was buried at Spires, where his grandfather was also interred. Lothaire, the ninety-eighth emperor of the Romans, reigned thirteen years.

On 23rd May 1162 Archbishop Thomas Becket (age 42) was elected Archibishop Canterbury by King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 29).

23rd May 1200 King Louis VIII of France (age 12) and Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France (age 12) were married. She the daughter of Alfonso VIII King Castile (age 44) and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile (age 38). He the son of King Philip II of France (age 34) and Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France. They were third cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 23rd May 1347 Cardinal John of Thoresby was appointed Bishop of St David's. he wa consecrated on 23rd September 1347.

After 23rd May 1373. St Chad's Church, Longford [Map]. Monument to Nicholas II Longford (deceased). Camail and Jupon Period.

Nicholas II Longford: Around 1334 he was born to Nicholas Longford and Alice Boteler at Longford, Derbyshire [Map]. On 3rd April 1347 Nicholas II Longford and Alice Deincourt were married. On 23rd May 1373 Nicholas II Longford died at Longford, Derbyshire [Map].

On 23rd May 1390, St George's Day, a Jousting Tournament was held at London Bridge [Map]. David Lindsay 1st Earl Crawford (age 30) so easily unhorsed the King's Champion John Welles 5th Baron Welles (age 38) as to make the crowd suspect Lindsay of foul play by fastening himself to his saddle. To prove the crowd wrong David Lindsay 1st Earl Crawford leapt from his horse in full armour, then back again. Realising John Welles 5th Baron Welles was injured he rushed to his aid. He visited Welles every day until he recovered. The two became firm friends.

On 23rd May 1430 Joan of Arc (age 18) was captured during the Siege of Compiègne. John Luxemburg II Count Ligny (age 38) commanded the rear-guard. Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy (age 33) fought.

Archaeologia Volume 20 Section 8. An Account of the First Battle of St. Albans from a contemporary Manuscript. Communicated by Joun Baytey, Esq. F.S.A. of His Majesty's Record Office in the Tower; in a Letter to Henry Ellis, Esq. F.R.S. Secretary.

Read 19th December 1822.

His Majesty's Record Office, December 12, 1822.

DEAR SIR,

I inclose a curious Account of the first Battle of St. Albans, which may prove interesting to the Society of Antiquaries: it is copied from a manuscript, in a co-eval hand, found in the Tower, among a large quantity of private letters and accompts of Sir William Stonor, Knt [William Stonor (age 5)?] who, from his correspondence, appears at that time to have been much about the Court, and was also a Steward of the Abbot of St. Albans. The original is written in a book consisting of a few leaves of a small quarto size, and, on comparing the writing with some of the other papers, it seems to be in the hand of Sir William himself.

I remain, dear Sir, your's very faithfully,

JOHN BAYLEY.

To Henry Ex is, Esq &c. &c. &c.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

Chronicle of Robert Fabyan. Then the duke of Yorke hauynge knowledge of ye kynges departynge from London, coostyd the countreys, and came unto the ende of Seynt Albons upon the. xxiii. [23] day of May foresayde, then beyng the Thursday before Whytsondaye, where, whyle meanys of treaty and peace were comonyd vpō that one party, the erle of Warwyke with his Marche men entryd the towne upon that other ende, & fought egerly agayne the kynges people, & so contynued the fyght a longe season. But in tonclusyon the vyctory fell to the duke of Yorke and his party, in so moche yt there was slayen the duke of Somerset, the erle of Northumberlande and the lorde Clyfforde, with many other honorable men of knyghtis & esquyers, whose namys were tedyous to wryte.

Patent Rolls. Membrane 13d. 23rd May 1460. Commission to Osbert Mountford and John Baker, esquires, ordered, Coventry, by advice of the council, to bring 200 men at arms and archers to Henry, duke of Somerset (age 24), for the safe keeping and defence of the castle and town of Guysnes and to resist the king's rebels and enemies, appointing them to arrest ships and vessels necessary herein and masters and mariners therefor.

Commission to Thomas Thorp, Thomas Kiriell (age 64), knight, John Cheyne, knight, Thomas Broun, knight, Henry Lowes, esquire, John Scot and Robert Home, to take the muster of the said Osbert Mountfort and John Baker and the said men at arms, and to certify the king thereof in Chancery.

On 23rd May 1467 Antoine "Bastard of Burgundy" (age 46) arrived at Greenwich, Kent [Map] with a retinue of 400 people to take part in a great Tournament. He was greeted by John "Butcher of England" Tiptoft 1st Earl of Worcester (age 40).

English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century Appendix 13. On the following day [22nd May 1471], the Duke of Gloucester (age 18) entered Kent with the vanguard of the king's army; the lord king followed on Ascension Day, that is, on the 23rd day of the said month of May, with the rest of the army.

In crastino Dux Gloucester cum primo exercitu Regis intravit Canciam ; quem sequitur dominus Rex in die Ascensionis cum residuo exercitu, viz. xxiij die dicti mensis Mail.

On 23rd May 1533 Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury (age 43) declared the marriage of Henry VIII (age 41) and Catherine of Aragon (age 47) invalid.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. 23 May [1533]. R. O. St. P. I. 396. Cranmer's Letters, 243. 528. Cranmer to Henry VIII.

Today, 23 May, I have given sentence in your great and weighty cause. I send a copy thereof by the bearer, Ric. Watkyns. As I was advertised by the letters of Mr. Thurlesbye, your chaplain, that it was your pleasure that I should cause your counsel to conceive a procuracy concerning the second marriage, I have sent the letters to them, and required them to act accordingly. I desire to know your pleasure concerning the second matrimony as soon as you and your counsel are perfectly resolved therein, for the time of the coronation is so near at hand that the matter requires good expedition. Dunstaple, 23 May. Signed.

P. 1. Add. Endd.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. [23rd May 1533]. R. O. Rym. XIV. 462. 529. The Divorce.

Notification of the sentence1 of divorce between Hen. VIII. and Katharine of Arragon pronounced by archbishop Cranmer. Dated in the monastery of Dunstable, 23 May 1533. Present, Gervase prior of the said monastery, Simon Haynes, S.T.P., John Newman, M.A., and others.

Two copies; one badly and the other slightly mutilated.

2. Part of the articles exhibited before Cranmer at Dunstable in favour of the divorce. Lat.

3. Proceedings of the court held before Cranmer at Dunstable, 10, 12, 16, 17, and 23 May. Copy, pp. 20.

4. Opinion touching Katharine's jointure. The matrimony between the King and the lady Katharine being dissolved by sufficient authority, all pactions made for the same marriage are also dissolved and of none effect. That ie, the jointure shall return again to the King's use, and the money paid to him by her friends shall be repaid to her.

The matrimony being dissolved, the lady Katharine shall return to the commodity and profits of the first matrimony, and the pactions of the same, made with prince Arthur, and shall enjoy the jointure assigned to her thereby, notwithstanding any quittance or renunciation made in the second pact. For as these renunciations were agreed unto for a sure trust and hope to enjoy the commodities and pactions of the second marriage, which now she cannot enjoy, unless without ult she should be deprived of both, equity and right restore her to the first. This, we think, by our poor learning, to be according both to canon and civil law, unless there are any other treaties and pactions which we have not seen.

For the more clear declaration hereof, we think that when a matrimony is dissolved, if there is no paction of a further bond, then by law the money paid by the woman or her friends shall be restored to her, and the jointure return to the man and his heirs. In this case there is an especial pact that she shall enjoy her jointure durante vita [i.e. during life], so that the said jointure is due to her by the pact, and the money paid by her and her friends by the law.

In Sampson's hand, pp.2. Endd.: A dissolution to be made of the matrimony of the lady Katharine, dowager, with the jointure thereto belonging, and restitution to the jointure had by prince Arthur.

Note 1. The sentence itself, as recited in the patent of 6 June (see Grants in June 1533, No. 7.), is printed both in Burnet and in Wilkins.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

All About History Books

The 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. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. 23 May [1533]. R. O. 525. John Tregonwell to Cromwell.

My lord of Canterbury (age 43) gave sentence this day at 11 o'clock in the great cause of matrimony; has declared it to be against the law of God, and has divorced the King from the noble lady Katharine. He has used himself in this matter very honorably, and all who have been sent hither on the King's behalf have acted diligently and towardly. Sentence shall be given for the King's second contract of matrimony before the Feast of Pentecost. The process is partly devised. 23 May.

Hol., p. 1. Add.: Of the Council. Endd.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. 23 May [1533]. R. O. 526. Thomas Bedyll to Cromwell.

Sentence of divorce was given this day, 23 May, at 10 a.m., in open court, without contradiction. I have written this that you may signify it to the King if you be at court, that the King may have knowledge of it to his satisfaction. This day was appointed for the sentence at the last court. The King's commands, written to the Archbishop by Thirleby, were declared to my company here and to me, and we have done as much as the shortness of the time will allow. My servant comes post, having new horses at St. Alban's and Barnet. Dunstable, 23 May, after 10 o'clock a.m.

Hol., p. 1. Add.: Of the Council.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1533. 23rd May 1533 Lanz, II. 66. 523. Charles V. to Ferdinand of Hungary.

I wrote on the 12th what I had learned about the marriage (l'esposement) of the king of England to Anne Boleyn (age 32). I have since received letters from my ambassador, by which you will see that the said marriage is accomplished, and that the King holds her as his wife and queen of England. Although the injury done to the Queen and Princess is extreme, and there is little hope of bringing Henry to reason, considering the delays and subterfuges used by him and the Pope, yet after careful consideration it has been thought best to persist in the demand for justice, as you will see by the copy of our despatches to Rome and England; and that you also should send some one to Rome to urge the matter. I write also to the king of Portugal to do the like. Barcelona, 23 May 1533. Fr.

Calendar of State Papers Foreign Series Elizabeth I 1558-1559 Volume 1. [23rd May 1536] 39. Some days afterwards, when the landlord returned from the Court, before anyone asked him a question he called out with a loud voice, 'I have news to tell you. The guests anxiously waited to know what he had to say, whereupon he added, that within a few days the King would be betrothed and shortly afterwards would be married, but without any state, in the presence of the Councillors only; for he wished to delay the coronation of his new spouse [Queen Jane Seymour (age 27)] until he should see whether she would give birth to a boy.

Letters and Papers. 23rd May 1536. Add. MS. 28,588, f. 276. B. M. 947. Dr. Ortiz to the Empress.

Received today her letter of 15 April. Supposes that the Empress has since received his letters with news of the Princess's health. No letters have arrived from Eustace Chapuis, but the queen of Hungary writes that the king of England has imprisoned his mistress (deceased) in the Tower. Other letters state that in order to have a son who might be attributed to the King, she committed adultery with a singer (deceased) who taught her to play on instruments. Others say it was with her brother (deceased). The King has sent them to the Tower with her father, mother, and other relations. Expresses his joy at her fall, which will ensure the safety of the Princess.

Remembers that the cardinal of Burgos told him he had heard, when ambassador in England, that it was foretold that this Ana would be burnt to death.

It is said that the king has taken from "Maestro Cronvel" the office by which he did so much harm to the monasteries; and that he has chosen two Catholic bishops of good life, by whom he wishes to be governed.

The bull for the convocation of the Council has been concluded by the Consistory, and will be intimated soon. The Pope has given up his journey to Bologna. The card. of Santa Cruz is going to Hungary to negotiate between the king of the Romans and the Vayvode. Rome, 23 May 1536.

Sp., pp. 3. Modern copy.

Letters and Papers. 24th May 1536. Add. MS. 8,715, f. 252. B. M. 956. Bishop of Faenza (age 36) to Mons. Ambrogio.

According to information from England, received by the King yesterday, on the 15th inst. the Queen (deceased) was degraded, and the following day was to be executed,—either burnt or beheaded; but first her brother (deceased), four gentlemen, and an organist (deceased), with whom she had misconducted herself, were to be quartered in her presence. It is not true that her father (age 59) and mother were imprisoned, but the former, being on the Council, was present at his daughter's sentence. All was done in the presence of the French ambassador only. It is said that the King has been in danger of being poisoned by that lady for a whole year, and that her daughter (age 2) is supposititious, being the child of a countryman (villano); but these particulars are not known for certain, according to what the King said today. The discovery was owing to words spoken by the organist from jealousy of others. They are expecting now the declaration of the true daughter to reinstate her and annul what was done in favour of the other. Has not omitted to show what may be done on this occasion for the honor of God, &c. The French king answered that he ardently desired to bring back Henry to the Church, and that he would not fail in endeavouring to do so. He knows that the Imperialists have offered the king of England the queen of Hungary as a wife, but it is thought he will not take her, as she is in bad health, and not fit to bear children. He has today sent a person to his Ambassador about these affairs. He thinks it would be easy to bring back the King if it were not for his avarice, which is increased by the profit he draws from Church goods. The English ambassadors here are in very great joy. Knowing that one of them was a good man, and a friend of his, caused the opportunity and advantage of the King's coming back to the Pope to be shown to him; and that he should be neutral, and give the Emperor and (French) king to understand that he would oppose whoever refused peace; that there was not a better opportunity of wiping out the stains on his character, and making himself the most glorious King in the world; that every one should do his duty, and they would find in the Pope that true piety and goodness which ought now to be known to all the world. The Ambassador, and Winchester also, who is the other, thanked him, saying, with many tears, that this was their only desire, and they would do their part, so that they hoped we should soon embrace each other.

Ital., modern copy, pp. 6. Headed: Al Signor Protonotario Ambrogio, Da Lione, li 24 Maggio 1536.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

Diary of Edward VI. 23rd May 1550. Mon. Chastil(lon) (age 31) and Mortier, and Bouchetel, accompanied with the Ringrave (age 46)1, Dandelot2, the constable's secound sone3, and Chenault the ligier4, cam to Durasme place, where in their journei thei wer met by mr. tresoror (Oheyne) and threscore gentlemen5 at Whulwhich [Map], and also saluted with great peales both at Whulwich, Dettford [Map], and the Towre [Map].1a

Note 1. The Rhinegrave John Frederick was deprived of his electorate by the emperor after the battle of Muhlberg in 1547, and remained a prisoner at Innspruck until 1552. His nephew Otho-Henry, called the Magnanimous, whose proper title was only count of Neuburg until after his uncle's death in 1556, was at this time in the service of France, and was made a knight of St. Michael in Oct. 1550 (see Tytler, i. 325).

Note 2. The seigneur d'Andelot was François de Coligny (age 29), younger brother of the seigneur de Chastillon, already noticed in p. 250, and like him a zealous Calvinist and intrepid soldier. He became comte of Laval and Montfort in Britany; and in 1555 he was appointed colonel-general of the French infantry in place of his brother. He died in 1569. (Anselme, vii. 155; viii. 215.)

Note 3. The second son of the constable of France was Henry (age 15) afterwards duc de Montmorency, who now, during his father's (age 57) lifetime, bore the title of seigneur de Damville. (Anselme, Histoire Genealogique, vi. 229.) If the King writes with accuracy, he must have been one of the train; but if he meant one and the same person by "Dandelot, the constable's second sone," this may have arisen from d'Andelot being (by his mother's side) "the constable's nephew, and one of the (French) king's minions." (Tytler, i. 160.)

Note 4. Of Chenault no particulars have occurred. Among the illustrious visitors on this "occasion, or immediately after, appears to have been Claude de Lorraine, due d'Aumale, third son of the late due de Guise. On the 6th Oct. following sir John Mason (age 47) writes from Rouen to the council: "The due d'Aumale is much desirous to have a portrait of the King's person, which he says the King himself promised him at his departing out of England. He hath been in hand with me twice or thrice herein, praying me in my next despatch to desire your lordships to put his Majesty in remembrance hereof. If any shall be sent unto him, this is a very good time therefor, while yet he remaineth in Roan. He speaketh very much honour of the King and of the realm, and hideth not the courtesy he found the time of his being there. He is, as your lordships knoweth, of right good estimation, and therefore the remembring of him in this his request cannot be but well bestowed." (Tytler, i. 330.)

Note 5. In order that the court might make a good show of nobility when the Frenchmen arrived, the council had despatched, on the 17th of April, "Lettres severall to the earles of Rutland (age 23), Bathe (age 51), and Worcester (age 24), to the viscount Hereford (age 62), and the lord Fitzwalter, to repayre to the court out of hand, bringing with them their best apparell and furniture, for the receiving and entertaining of the ambassadors and noble men that came out of France."

On the 4th May, "For the receaving of mounsr Chastillion, and the rest of the Frenche ambassadors, the lord warden of the Cinque portes, thresorer of the King's Majesties household, was appointed to be the chief, and a nombre of lords and gentlemen apoincted to accompanie him by water with the King's barges, bicause th'ambassadors are determined to come from Bulloigne in their owne galleys up alongest the Teames [River Thames]."

"May xviij. A warrant to the master of the jewelhouse to deliver unto Benjamin Gonstone, threasorer of the King's shippes, one peir of potts, one peir of flagons, iij. nest of bolles, ij. basons and ewers, a garnish and a half of vessell, ij. dozen of plates, and ij. saltes of silver, for the furniture of the galley appointed for the lord wardeigne to mete the French ambassadors coming up by the Temes [Thames], to be restored again upon retorne of the same galley. A warrant to sir John Williams to delyver to the said John Gonstone xlli. in prest towards the furniture of the said galey." (Council Book.)

Note 1a. "On Friday was seven-night [May 23] the galley Subtle, with two other of the King's pinnaces, under the charge of sir William Woodhouse, mr. Brook, and others, were sent to the Thames mouth to meet with the French galleys, and to conduct them upwards, and at their first meeting received them with an honest banquet; so accompanied them along the Thames, where, passing by sundry of the King's ships, they were saluted by honest peals of ordnance; and, a little above Greenwich, I, the lord warden of the Cinque Ports (Cheyne), being accompanied with the earl of Worcester, the lord Grey of Wilton (age 41), the lord William Howard, with divers other young lords and gentlemen, to the number of sixty, in sundry barges, met with them upon the water, bade them welcome on the King's maties behalf, with other good words to the purpose, and so received them into those barges. They were conveyed by water through the bridge to their lodging, being appointed at Durham-place, which was furnished with hangings of the King's for the nonce: where, against their coming, was ready laid in a very large present of beer, wine, beeves, muttons, wild fowls, poultry, fish, and wax. By the way the King's ships at Deptford shot off; and at the Tower, as they passed, a great peal of ordnance was discharged to welcome them. As soon as they were landed, and in their lodgings, a gentleman was sent from the King's matie, willing me the lord warden, in the King's highness' behalf, to bid them welcome, and tell them that if they would aught, being signified, it should be provided; and so for that night left them." (Narrative of the council addressed to sir John Mason, the ambassador lieger in France, printed from Mason's letter-book in the State Paper office, by Tytler, i. 284.;

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 22nd May 1557. The xxij day of May was bered master Doge .... gren cloth at sant Martens in the feld [Map] be-syd Charyng-crose, with ij whytt branchys and .... and ij dosen of skochyons and dyver mornars.

23rd May 1557. The xxiij day of May dyd pryche the bysshope of Wynchaster doctur Whytt (age 47) at sant Mare Overes [Map] in Sowthwarke, and ther was a heretyke ther for to here the sermon.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd May 1557. The sam after-non was chossen iij knyghtes of the garter, my lord Fuwwater depute of Yrland (age 32), my lord Gray (age 48) depute of Gynes, and ser Robart Rochaster (age 63) comtroller of the quen('s) howsse the iij. And after cam the duwcke of Muskovea cam thrugh the halle, and the gard stod in a-ray in ther ryche cottes with halbardes, and so up to the quen('s) chambur, and dyvers althermen and marchandes; and after cam downe a-gayne to the chapell to evyngsong, and contenent cam the Kyng (age 30) and the knyghtes of the garter to evyngsong; and when that evyngsong was down cam the Kyng and the knyghtes up to the chambur of presens; and after cam the duke of Muskovea, and toke ys barge to London, and that tyme my lord Strange bare the sword to evyngsong.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd May 1559. The xxiij day of May cam from be-yonde the see out of France and landyd at Towr-warff, and cam thrugh London, and unto my lord bysshope of London docthur Benard (age 59), monser Memeranse (age 66) ij [2] sunes [Note. Francis Montmorency (age 28) visited in May 1559. It isn't known whether his brother Henri I de Montmorency (age 24) visited at the same time], and ... unto ys palles to ly; and mony lord(s) and nobull men browth them to their logying.... attes and mony mo for serten Frenche-men.

Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd May 1563. The xxiij day of May .... lord the duke of Northfoke (age 27) was .... vycont Montyguw (age 34) and my lord of Luthborow (age 42) .... and the yerle of Northumberland (age 35) and the yerle of [Warwick] (age 33) stallyd knyghtes of the Garter; and ser Henry Sydney (age 34) was depute for the yerle of Warwyke, and he bare ys hode and ys coller of the garter a-pone ys arme.

The Letter Books of Amias Paulet Keeper of Mary Queen of Scots Published 1874 Marys Execution. Poulet (age 54), as has already been said, was made Chancellor of the Garter in April, 1587, but he did not retain this preferment for a whole year. He continued in the Captaincy of Jersey up to his death, but he appears to have resided in and near London. In the British Museum are two letters from him of small importance. One, addressed to the Lord High Admiral, is dated, "From my poor lodging in Fleet Street [Map], the 14th of January, 1587," about "right of tenths in Jersey, belonging to the Government." The other, "From my little lodge at Twickenham, the 24th of April, 1588," "on behalf of Berry," whose divorce was referred by the Justices of the Common Pleas to four Doctors of the Civil Law, of whom Mr. Doctor Caesar, Judge of the Admiralty, to whom the letter was written, was one.

His name also occurs in a letter, from Walsingham to Burghley, dated May 23, 1587, while Elizabeth still kept up the farce of Burghley's disgrace for despatching Mary Stuart's death-warrant. "Touching the Chancellorship of the Duchy, she told Sir Amias Poulet that in respect of her promise made unto me, she would not dispose of it otherwise. But yet hath he no power to deliver the seals unto me, though for that purpose the Attorney is commanded to attend him, who I suppose will be dismissed hence this day without any resolution." And on the 4th of January following, together with the other lords of the Council, he signed a letter addressed by the Privy Council to the Lord Admiral and to Lord Buckhurst, the Lieutenants of Sussex, against such Catholics as "most obstinately have refused to come to the church to prayers and divine service," requiring them to "cause the most obstinate and noted persons to be committed to such prisons as are fittest for their safe keeping: the rest that are of value, and not so obstinate, are to be referred to the custody of some -ecclesiastical persons and other gentlemen well affected, to remain at the charges of the recusant, to be restrained in such sort as they may be forthcoming, and kept from intelligence with one another." On the 26th of September, in the year in which this letter was written, 1588, Sir Amias Poulet died.

Poulet was buried in St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. [Map]. When that church was pulled down to be rebuilt, his remains, with the handsome monument erected over them, were removed to the parish church of Hinton St. George. After various panegyrics in Latin, French, and English inscribed on his monument, a quatrain, expressive apparently of royal favour, pays the following tribute to the service rendered by him to the State as Keeper of the Queen of Scots: Never shall cease to spread wise Poulet's fame; These will speak, and men shall blush for shame: Without offence to speak what I do know, Great is the debt England to him doth owe.Execution of Mary Queen of Scots.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

On 23rd May 1644 Alice Leigh 1st Duchess Dudley (age 66) was created 1st Duchess Dudley by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 43) for life. Her husband Robert Dudley (age 69) had claimed to be the legitimate son of Robert Dudley 1st Earl of Leicester but the Star Chamber found against him. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland disagreed with their verdict and, in compensation of her subsequent treatment, awarded her the Dukedom ... See Patent of Creation.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd May 1651. I went to take leave of the ambassadors for Spain, which were my Lord Treasurer Cottington (age 72) and Sir Edward Hyde (age 42); and, as I returned, I visited Mr. Morine's garden, and his other rarities, especially corals, minerals, stones, and natural curiosities; crabs of the Red Sea, the body no bigger than a small bird's egg, but flatter, and the two legs, or claws, a foot in length. He had abundance of shells, at least 1,000 sorts, which furnished a cabinet of great price; and had a very curious collection of scarabees and insects, of which he was compiling a natural history. He had also the pictures of his choice flowers and plants in miniature. He told me there were 10,000 sorts of tulips only. He had taille-douces out of number; the head of the rhinoceros bird, which was very extravagant, and one butterfly resembling a perfect bird.

In May 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) created new Baronetcies and Peerages ...

10th May 1661 William Smyth 1st Baronet (age 45) was created 1st Baronet Smyth of Redcliff in Buckinghamshire.

16th May 1661 Hugh Smyth 1st Baronet (age 29) was created 1st Baronet Smyth of Ashton Court in Somerset. Anne Ashburnham Lady Smyth (age 23) by marriage Lady Smyth of Ashton Court in Somerset.

18th May 1661 Robert Jenkinson 1st Baronet (age 40) was created 1st Baronet Jenkinson of Walcot in Oxfordshire and of Hawkesbury in Gloucestershire.

20th May 1661 William Glynne 1st Baronet (age 23) was created 1st Baronet Glynne of Bicester aka Bisseter in Oxfordshire.

23rd May 1661 Henry Ingram 1st Viscount Irvine (age 21) was created 1st Viscount Irvine.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd May 1661. From thence home by water, and there shifted myself into my black silk suit (the first day I have put it on this year), and so to my Lord Mayor's by coach, with a great deal of honourable company, and great entertainment. At table I had very good discourse with Mr. Ashmole (age 44), wherein he did assure me that frogs and many insects do often fall from the sky, ready formed. Dr. Bates's singularity in not rising up nor drinking the King's nor other healths at the table was very much observed1.

Note 1. Dr. William Bates, one of the most eminent of the Puritan divines, and who took part in the Savoy Conference. His collected writings were published in 1700, and fill a large folio volume. The Dissenters called him silver-tongued Bates. Calamy affirmed that if Bates would have conformed to the Established Church he might have been raised to any bishopric in the kingdom. He died in 1699, aged seventy-four.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd May 1662. At the office good part of the morning, and then about noon with my wife on foot to the Wardrobe. My wife went up to the dining room to my Lady Paulina (age 13), and I staid below talking with Mr. Moore in the parley, reading of the King's and Chancellor's late speeches at the proroguing of the Houses of Parliament. And while I was reading, news was brought me that my Lord Sandwich (age 36) is come and gone up to my Lady, which put me into great suspense of joy, so I went up waiting my Lord's coming out of my Lady's chamber, which by and by he did, and looks very well, and my soul is glad to see him. He very merry, and hath left the King (age 31) and Queen (age 23) at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map], and is come up to stay here till next Wednesday, and then to meet the King and Queen at Hampton Court [Map].

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd May 1667. This day I hear also that last night the Duke of Kendall (deceased), second son of the Duke of York (age 33), did die; and that the other, Duke of Cambridge (age 3), continues very ill still. This afternoon I had opportunity para jouer with Mrs. Pen (age 16), tokendo her mammailles and baisando elle, being sola in the casa of her pater, and she fort willing.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd May 1668. Up by four o'clock; and, getting my things ready, and recommending the care of my house to W. Hewer (age 26), I with my boy Tom, whom I take with me, to the Bull, in Bishopsgate Street, and there, about six, took coach, he and I, and a gentleman and his man, there being another coach also, with as many more, I think, in it; and so away to Bishop's Stafford, and there dined, and changed horses and coach, at Mrs. Aynsworth's; but I took no knowledge of her. Here the gentleman and I to dinner, and in comes Captain Forster, an acquaintance of his, he that do belong to my Lord Anglesey (age 53), who had been at the late horse-races at Newmarket, Suffolk, where the King (age 37) now is, and says that they had fair weather there yesterday, though we here, and at London, had nothing but rain, insomuch that the ways are mighty full of water, so as hardly to be passed. Here I hear Mrs. Aynsworth is going to live at London: but I believe will be mistaken in it; for it will be found better for her to be chief where she is, than to have little to do at London. There being many finer than she there.

All About History Books

The 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. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

On 23rd May 1698 Henry Cavendish (age 49) died. He was buried at St Cuthbert's Church, Doveridge [Map].

Henry Cavendish: On 25th January 1649 he was born to Francis Cavendish of Doveridge and Dorothy Broughton. Before 20th July 1682 Henry Cavendish and Mary Tyrrell were married.

On 23rd May 1706 Arnold Keppel 1st Earl Albermarle (age 36) and Harry Trelawny 5th Baronet (age 19) were present at Ramilles during the Battle of Ramilles.

Colonel James Gardiner (age 18) was shot through the mouth and nearly killed by a French soldier who had returned to plunder the dead. However, Gardiner was spared after being mistaken for a French soldier.

On 23rd May 1721 Essex Finch (age 34) died of smallpox.

On 23rd May 1730 Augustus Ferdinand Hohenzollern was born to Frederick William "Soldier King" I King Prussia (age 41) and Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia (age 43). He a grandson of King George I of Great Britain and Ireland. Coefficient of inbreeding 8.31%.

On 23rd May 1793 the Battle of Famars was fought during the Flanders Campaign of the War of the First Coalition.

Ensign William Anson (age 20) fought.

Thomas Bateman 1845. The 23d of May, 1845, is an important day in the annals of barrow-digging in Derbyshire, as on that day was made the discovery, so long a desideratum, of the original interment in the large tumulus [Map], which forms one side of the southern entrance to the temple of Arbor Lowe [Map], and which had been unsuccessfully attempted on previous occasions by three parties of antiquaries: first, about 1770, by the occupier of the land whereon the temple is situated; secondly, in 1783, by the celebrated archaeologist Major Rooke (see p. 31, 1st Jun 1824), who laboured with no effect for three days; and thirdly, on the 1st and 2d of June, 1824, by Mr. Samuel Mitchell (age 42) and Mr. William Bateman, who succeeded no better (see p. 31). But, to return to the narrative. Operations were commenced on the day before mentioned, by cutting across the barrow from the south side towards the centre. A shoulder-blade and an antler of the large red deer were found in this excavation, which also produced an average quantity of rats' bones. On reaching the highest part of the tumulus, which owing to the soil and stones removed in the former excavations, is not in the centre, but more to the south, and is elevated about four yards above the natural soil, a large, flat stone was discovered, about five feet in length by three feet in width, lying in a horizontal position, about eighteen inches higher than the natural floor. This stone being cleared and carefully removed, exposed to view a small six-sided cist, constructed by ten limestones, placed on one end, and having a floor of three similar stones, neatly jointed. It was quite free from soil, the cover having most effectually protected the contents, which were a quantity of calcined human bones, strewed about the floor of the cist, all which were carefully picked up, and amongst them were found a rude kidney-shaped instrument of flint, a pin made from the leg-bone of a small deer, and a piece of spherical iron pyrites.

At the west end of the cist were two urns of coarse clay, each of which was ornamented in a peculiar and widely dissimilar manner. The larger one had fallen to pieces from the effects of time and damp, but has since been restored, and is a very elegant vase; the smaller was taken out quite perfect, and is of much ruder design and workmanship. In addition to these urns, one piece of the ornamented upper edge of another, quite distinct from either of them, was found. The floor of the cist was laid upon the natural soil and the cist was strewed with rats' bones, both within and without.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

On 23rd May 1849 Elizabeth Frances Egerton died. Memorial at All Saints Church, Old Rode.

Elizabeth Frances Egerton: she was born to William Egerton. On 24th November 1846 Lieutenant-General Richard Wilbraham and she were married. They were first cousins.

Ten Years' Digging. At page 83 of Vestiges, is a notice of an excavation made at one side of a barrow [Wetton Hill Barrow [Map]] on the summit of Wetton near Hill, when after having found one interment, we desisted through meeting with the natural rock in front of our cutting, Mr. Carrington thinking it probable that something might yet remain, made a cutting from the opposite side on the 23rd and 24th of May, having previously made trials in different parts of the mound, which showed that in some places the materials were large stones, and in others gravel, both favourable indications. After removing stones to the depth of about a yard, we found a skeleton accompanied by one rude flint arrow; it lay on the left side, with the knees drawn up, and was that of a strong man in full vigour. The skull, with the exception of the lefl side, which was decayed from contact with the earth, is perfect, and of a shape very unusual amongst Celtic crania, being remarkably short and elevated, like the Turkish skull. It is amongst the number selected for publication in the Crania Britannica, as an example of the acro-cephalie variety. Proceeding forward, we found another skeleton, the feet of which were very near the head of the first, deposited in the contracted posture in a cist, roughly made of large limestones, and partly covered with others of the same kind. Before the face was a very beautiful vase, 4½ inches high, with a fluted border and four perforated ears, wHch will be understood from the cut. A piece of flint and a tine of stags' horn lay close behind the skull, and a few more pieces of flint were found near. The skull, in perfect condition, is that of an old man, some of the teeth wanting, the alveoli being absorbed, the rest exceedingly worn; it is essentially square and massive in appearance, and is of the platy-cephalic variety. It is engraved and fully described in the Crania Britannica, where its internal capacity is stated to be 80 ounces. When cleaning it, on the day after its discovery, the cricoid cartilage, in a state of ossification, fell from the interior through the foramen magnum, where it had probably been conveyed by the rats which hibernated in the tumulus.

The femur measured 18 inches. The occurrence of two crania of the most opposite extremes of aberration from the ordinary Celtic type, in one tumulus, is most remarkable, and cannot fail to interest craniographers.

Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.

On 23rd May 1890 Dagmar Glücksburg was born to Frederick VIII King Denmark (age 46) and Louise of Sweden Queen Consort Denmark (age 38).

After 23rd May 1924. Memorial to Major-General Vere Bonamy Fane (deceased) at St Nicholas' Church, Fulbeck.

After 23rd May 1925. Memorial to Edward Ticker Leeke at Lincoln Cathedral [Map].

After 23rd May 1927. Memorial to Edmond Yeo at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Weare Giffard.

After 23rd May 1927. Memorial to George Rodolph Trefusis at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Weare Giffard.

All About History Books

The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin 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.

Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.

On 23rd May 1961 Percy Lyham Loraine 12th Baronet (age 80) died. Baronet Loraine of Kirkharle in Northumberland extinct. Memorial at St Wilfrid's Church, Kirkharle [Map].

Percy Lyham Loraine 12th Baronet: In 1881 he was born to Lambton Loraine 11th Baronet. On 13th May 1917 Lambton Loraine 11th Baronet died. His son Percy succeeded 12th Baronet Loraine of Kirkharle in Northumberland. Birmingham Daily Post. Birmingham Daily Post, 24 May 1961: "Racehorse Owner Dies. Sir Percy Lyham Loraine the racehorse owner, who was elected a member of the Jockey Club in 1944, died yesterday at his home in Wilton Crescent, London. He was 80. His horse Ambergris won the Musidora Stakes at York last week and is well fancied for the Oaks next week."

After 23rd May 1966. Memorial to Cecil George Armitage Preston 1903-1966 Vicar of the Church of St Leonard, Apethorpe [Map].

Births on the 23rd May

On 23rd May 1052 King Philip I of France was born to King Henry I of France (age 44) and Anne Rurik Queen Consort France (age 22).

On 23rd May 1393 James "White Earl" Butler 4th Earl Ormonde was born to James Butler 3rd Earl Ormonde (age 34) and Anne Welles Countess Ormonde (age 33) at Kilkenny, County Kilkenny. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England.

On 23rd May 1616 Edward Bagot 2nd Baronet was born to Hervey Bagot 1st Baronet (age 25).

On 23rd May 1618 Brian Broughton 1st Baronet was born to Thomas Broughton and Frances Bagot (age 20).

On 23rd May 1674 James Scott was born to James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch (age 25) and Anne Scott Duchess Monmouth and Buccleuch (age 23). He a grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 23rd May 1723 James Aston 5th Baronet was born to Walter Aston 4th Baronet (age 63) and Anne Howard.

On 23rd May 1730 Augustus Ferdinand Hohenzollern was born to Frederick William "Soldier King" I King Prussia (age 41) and Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia (age 43). He a grandson of King George I of Great Britain and Ireland. Coefficient of inbreeding 8.31%.

On 23rd May 1749 Christopher Sykes 2nd Baronet was born to Mark Sykes 1st Baronet (age 38) and Decima Woodham.

On 23rd May 1755 Jane Fleming Countess Harrington was born to John Fleming 1st Baronet (age 25).

On 23rd May 1764 William Augustus Brown was born to James O'Hara Brown 2nd Baronet (age 43).

On 23rd May 1771 Amelius Beauclerk was born to Aubrey Beauclerk 5th Duke St Albans (age 30) and Catherine Ponsonby Duchess St Albans (age 28). He a great x 2 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 23rd May 1803 Spencer Bulkeley Wynn 3rd Baron Newborough was born to Thomas Wynn 1st Baron Newborough (age 67) and Maria Stella Chiappini Baroness Newborough (age 30).

All About History Books

The 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. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

On 23rd May 1810 William Molesworth 8th Baronet was born to Arscott Ourry Molesworth 7th Baronet (age 21) and Mary Brown Lady Molesworth.

On 23rd May 1813 Thomas Whichcote 7th Baronet was born to Thomas Whichcote 6th Baronet (age 25) and Sophia Sherard Lady Whichcote (age 17).

On 23rd May 1865 James Heron Walker 3rd Baronet was born to James Walker 2nd Baronet (age 35) and Louisa Susan Marlborough Heron-Maxwell (age 24).

On 23rd May 1875 Annette Louise Monck Countess Liverpool was born to Henry Monck 5th Viscount Monck (age 26) and Edith Caroline Sophia Scott Viscountess Monck (age 19).

On 23rd May 1890 Dagmar Glücksburg was born to Frederick VIII King Denmark (age 46) and Louise of Sweden Queen Consort Denmark (age 38).

On 23rd May 1909 William Philip Sidney 1st Viscount de l'Isle was born to William Sidney 5th Baron De Lisle and Dudley (age 49). He a great x 2 grandson of King William IV of the United Kingdom.

All About History Books

The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin 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.

Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.

On 23rd May 1919 Elizabeth Rosamund Peyton was born to Algernon Peyton 7th Baronet (age 30).

On 23rd May 1948 Jennifer Michelle Souter was born to Richard Souter 25th Baron Audley (age 33).

Marriages on the 23rd May

On 23rd May 1107 King Louis VI of France (age 25) and Lucienne Rochefort (age 19) were divorced.

On 23rd May 1278 Theobald Metz II Duke Lorraine (age 15) and Isabelle Lady Rumigny Duchess Lorraine were married. She by marriage Duchess Lorraine. He the son of Frederick Metz III Duke Lorraine (age 38) and Margaret Blois Duchess Lorraine.

On 23rd May 1591 John Holles 1st Earl de Clare (age 27) and Anne Stanhope Countess de Clare (age 15) were married.

On 23rd May 1691 Thomas Spring 3rd Baronet (age 19) and Merelina Jermyn Lady Gage Lady Spring (age 18) were married. She by marriage Lady Spring of Pakenham in Suffolk. They were sixth cousins.

All About History Books

The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin 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.

Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.

On 23rd May 1732 George Evans 2nd Baron Carbery (age 29) and Frances Fitzwilliam Baroness Carbery (age 22) were married. He was given the Laxton Hall, Northamptonshire estate by his mother, worth £1100 per year, and an annuity on the family's Irish estates worth £1,400 per year.

On 23rd May 1751 Edward Astley 4th Baronet (age 21) and Rhoda Delaval (age 25) were married.

On 23rd May 1797 Reverend William Clay and Sophia Raymond Lady Burrell (age 44) were married at St Marylebone Church.

On 23rd May 1799 Joseph Copley 3rd Baronet (age 30) and Cecil Hamilton Marchioness Abercorn (age 29) were married. She by marriage Lady Copley Sprotborough. He was the younger brother of her first husband's [John Hamilton 1st Marquess Abercorn (age 42)] first wife Catherine Moyle Marchioness Abercorn.

All About History Books

The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin 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.

Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.

On 23rd May 1804 George Child-Villiers 5th Earl Jersey (age 30) and Sarah Sophia Fane Countess Jersey (age 19) were married at Berkeley Square, Mayfair. She the daughter of John Fane 10th Earl of Westmoreland (age 44) and Sarah Anne Child Countess of Westmoreland. He the son of George Bussy Villiers 4th Earl Jersey (age 68) and Frances Twysden (age 51).

On 23rd May 1854 George Frederick D'Arcy Lambton 2nd Earl Durham (age 25) and Beatrix Frances Hamilton Countess Durham (age 19) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She by marriage Countess Durham. She the daughter of James Hamilton 1st Duke of Abercorn (age 43) and Louisa Jane Russell Duchess Abercorn (age 41). He the son of John "Radical Jack" Lambton 1st Earl Durham and Louisa Elizabeth Grey Countess Durham. They were fifth cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

On 23rd May 1860 Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 32) and Elizabeth Siddal (age 30) were married at St Clement's Church, Hastings.

On 23rd May 1911 Hamar Greenwood 1st Viscount Greenwood (age 41) and Margery Spencer Viscountess Greenwood (age 24) were married.

On 23rd May 1950 Edward John Chichester 11th Baronet (age 34) and Anne Rachel Pearl Douglas-Scott-Montagu (age 28) were married.

On 23rd May 1972 Anthony Noel 6th Earl of Gainsborough (age 22) and Sarah Rose Winnington Countess Gainsborough (age 21) were married. He the son of Anthony Gerard Edward Noel 5th Earl of Gainsborough (age 48) and Mary Stourton Countess Gainsborough (age 46). They were half sixth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King William IV of the United Kingdom.

Deaths on the 23rd May

On 23rd May 1190 Walter Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 77) died at Godstow Abbey [Map] where he was subsequently buried. His son Walter (age 30) succeeded 2nd Baron Clifford Feudal. Agnes Cundy Baroness Clifford by marriage Baroness Clifford Feudal.

On 23rd May 1348 Piers Mauley 2nd Baron de Mauley (age 67) died at Mulgrave Castle. His son Piers (age 48) succeeded 3rd Baron Mauley. Margaret Clifford Baroness Mauley (age 41) by marriage Baroness Mauley.

On 23rd May 1395 Joan Furnival 5th Baroness Furnivall (age 20) died.

On 23rd May 1521 Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby (age 36) died. His son Edward (age 12) succeeded 3rd Earl Derby, 11th Baron Strange Knockin, 7th Baron Mohun of Dunster, 4th Baron Stanley. Katherine Howard Countess Derby (age 6) by marriage Countess Derby.

On 23rd May 1541 Cuthbert Cunningham 3rd Earl Glencairn (age 64) died. His son William (age 48) succeeded 4th Earl Glencairn.

On 23rd May 1631 Bishop John Buckeridge (age 69) died.

On 23rd May 1663 Henry Delves 2nd Baronet (age 65) died. His son Thomas (age 32) succeeded 3rd Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire.

On 23rd May 1684 John Salusbury 4th Baronet (age 47) died. Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire extinct. His sister Hester Salusbury (age 47) and her husband Robert Cotton 1st Baronet (age 49) inherited his estates.

On 23rd May 1689 Charles Erskine 22nd Earl of Mar (age 38) died. His son John (age 14) succeeded 23rd Earl Mar.

On 23rd May 1716 Jane Paulet Countess Bridgewater (age 60) died. She was buried at St Peter and St Paul Church, Little Gaddesden on 30th May 1716.

On 23rd May 1723 James Saunderson 1st Earl Castleton (age 56) died unmarried. Earl Castleton and Viscount Castleton extinct. His estates were inherited by his cousin Thomas Lumley-Saunderson 3rd Earl Scarborough (age 32) who added Saunderson to his surname.

On 23rd May 1733 Brook Bridges 2nd Baronet (age 25) died. His son Brook succeeded 3rd Baronet Bridges of Goodneston in Kent.

On 23rd May 1734 Robert Pye 4th Baronet died. Baronet Pye of Hone in Derbyshire extinct.

On 23rd May 1790 George Brudenell aka Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 77) died. Duke Montagu extinct. His brother James (age 65) succeeded 5th Earl Cardigan, 5th Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire. Elizabeth Waldegrave Countess Cardigan (age 31) by marriage Countess Cardigan. On His grandson Henry (age 13) succeeded 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. Jane Margaret Douglas Baroness Montagu by marriage Baroness Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire.

On 23rd May 1791 Gerard Vanneck 2nd Baronet (age 47) died unmarried. His brother Joshua (age 45) succeeded 3rd Baronet Vanneck of Putney.

On 23rd May 1817 John Prendergast Smyth 1st Viscount Gort died unmarried. Charles Vereker 2nd Viscount Gort (age 49) succeeded 2nd Viscount Gort.

On 23rd May 1825 James Browne 2nd Baron Kilmaine (age 60) died.

On 23rd May 1830 Frances Anne Agar Viscountess Hawarden died without issue.

On 23rd May 1843 Anne Margaret Coke Viscountess Anson (age 64) died.

On 23rd May 1925 Edward Hulton 1st Baronet (age 56) died after a prolonged illness in Downside. He was buried in Putney Vale Cemetery. Baronet Hulton of Downside extinct since his son Edward Hulton (age 18) was born before his parents married.

All About History Books

The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin 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.

Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.

On 23rd May 1935 Oswald Partington 2nd Baron Doverdale (age 63) died. His son Edward (age 31) succeeded 3rd Baron Doverdale of Westwood Park in Worcestershire.

On 23rd May 1940 John Crichton 5th Earl Erne (age 32) died.

On 23rd May 1946 Geoffrey Walter Harbord 9th Baron Suffield (age 84) died. His first cousin Richard (age 80) succeeded 10th Baron Suffield, 11th Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk.

On 23rd May 1961 Percy Lyham Loraine 12th Baronet (age 80) died. Baronet Loraine of Kirkharle in Northumberland extinct. Memorial at St Wilfrid's Church, Kirkharle [Map].

Percy Lyham Loraine 12th Baronet: In 1881 he was born to Lambton Loraine 11th Baronet. On 13th May 1917 Lambton Loraine 11th Baronet died. His son Percy succeeded 12th Baronet Loraine of Kirkharle in Northumberland. Birmingham Daily Post. Birmingham Daily Post, 24 May 1961: "Racehorse Owner Dies. Sir Percy Lyham Loraine the racehorse owner, who was elected a member of the Jockey Club in 1944, died yesterday at his home in Wilton Crescent, London. He was 80. His horse Ambergris won the Musidora Stakes at York last week and is well fancied for the Oaks next week."

On 23rd May 1961 Alexandra Mary Cadogan Duchess of Marlborough (age 61) died.

On 23rd May 1966 Hilda Brunner Viscountess Dillon (age 92) died.

On 23rd May 1992 Michael Addison 3rd Viscount Addison (age 78) died. His son William (age 46) succeeded 4th Viscount Addison of Stallingborough in Lincolnshire, 4th Baron Addison of Stallingborough in Lincolnshire.

On 23rd May 1995 Geoffrey Waldegrave 12th Earl Waldegrave (age 89) died. His son James (age 54) succeeded 13th Earl Waldegrave, 14th Baron Waldegrave Chewton Somerset, 17th Baronet Waldegrave of Hever Castle.

All About History Books

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.

On 23rd May 2006 James Lowther 7th Earl Londsdale (age 83) died. His son Hugh (age 56) succeeded 8th Earl Lonsdale, 9th Viscount Lowther, 9th Baron Lowther.

On 23rd May 2020 John Eden 1st Baron Eden of Winton (age 94) died. Baron Eden of Winton in County Durham extinct since it weas created for life only. His son Robert (age 56) succeeded 8th Baronet Eden of Maryland, 10th Baronet Eden of West Auckland.