Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Couter is in Armour.
Couter. Sometimes 'cowter', sometimes 'cop' is armour that covers the elbow.
In 1436 John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke [aged 47] died. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Greystoke [Map]. His son Ralph [aged 22] succeeded 5th Baron Greystoke. Monument in St Andrew's Church, Greystoke [Map]. Fluted Period. His Pauldrons are unusual in their style. His arms are fully encased in plate with a couter (or coude) protecting the elbow joint. Fine detail of the straps that held the armour in place may be seen on the underarms. A gorget, has replaced the camail. His head is, very unusually, bare as is his face, his hair cut in the style so typical of portraits of Henry V. The effigy was possibly made somewhat after John's death or, possibly, that the effigy has been incorrectly assigned. His head rests on the decorated tournament helm. He wears the Lancastrian Esses Collar. John had supported the usurpation of Richard II by Henry IV in the 1390s; staunch Lancastrians. John had married, in 1407, Elizabeth Ferrers, daughter of Joan Beaufort, daughter of John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Two sword belts: diagonal (bawdric) and horizontal. The jupon, beneath the waist has been replaced by a fauld; horizontal strips of metal that wrap around.
John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke: In 1389 he was born to Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke and Catherine Clifford Baroness Greystoke. On 28th October 1407 John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke and Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke were married at Greystoke Castle, Cumberland. She by marriage Baroness Greystoke. She the daughter of Robert Ferrers and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. They were fifth cousins. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England. On 6th April 1418 Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke died. He was buried at Newminster Abbey, Northumberland [Map]. His son John succeeded 4th Baron Greystoke.
Around 1456 John Curzon [aged 76] died. Monument in All Saints Church, Kedleston [Map] to John Curzon and Joan Bagot [aged 56]. Fluted Period. Eagle Crest. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Couters. Pauldrons. Sabatons. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Probably Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.
John Curzon: Around 1380 he was born to Richard Curzon at Kedleston, Derbyshire [Map]. Before 1412 John Curzon and Joan Bagot were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.
Joan Bagot: Around 1400 she was born to John Bagot and Beatrice Mallory.
