William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Paternal Family Tree: Welf
In 929 [her future husband] Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 16) and Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany were married. She the daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons (age 59). He the son of Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia (age 53) and Matilda Ringelheim Queen Consort East Francia.
In 931 Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress was born to [her father] Rudolph "Pious" II King Burgundy II King Italy (age 51) and [her mother] Bertha Swabia Queen Consort Italy.
On 2nd July 936 Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia (age 60) died. His son [her future husband] Otto (age 23) succeeded I King Germany, I Duke Saxony. Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany by marriage Queen Consort Germany.
On 11th July 937 [her father] Rudolph "Pious" II King Burgundy II King Italy (age 57) died. His son [her brother] Conrad (age 12) succeeded I King Burgundy.
In 951 Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 38) and Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 20) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Germany. She the daughter of Rudolph "Pious" II King Burgundy II King Italy and Bertha Swabia Queen Consort Italy. He the son of Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia and Matilda Ringelheim Queen Consort East Francia.
In 953 [her brother-in-law] Bruno Saxon Ottonian Archbishop Cologne (age 27) was appointed Archbishop Cologne.
On 18th November 953 [her step-daughter] Liutgarde Saxon Ottonian (age 22) died.
In 954 [her brother-in-law] Bruno Saxon Ottonian Archbishop Cologne (age 28) was appointed Duke Lorraine.
On 17th December 954 [her step-son] William Saxon Ottonian Archbishop of Mainz (age 25) was appointed Archbishop of Mainz.
In 955 [her son] Otto "Red" II King Germany II Holy Roman Emperor II King Italy was born to [her husband] Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 42) and Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 24). He married Theophanu Unknown Holy Roman Empress and had issue.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 1st November 955 [her brother-in-law] Henry Saxon Ottonian I Duke Bavaria (age 35) died. His son Henry (age 4) succeeded II Duke Bavaria.
In December 955 [her daughter] Matilda Saxon Ottonian Abbess Quedlinburg was born to [her husband] Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 43) and Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 24).
On 6th September 957 [her step-son] Liudolf Duke Swabia (age 27) died.
On 25th December 961 [her husband] Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 49) was appointed I King Italy. Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 30) by marriage Queen Consort Italy.
On 2nd February 962 [her husband] Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 49) was created Holy Roman Emperor. Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 31) by marriage Holy Roman Empress.
In 964 [her brother] Conrad I King Burgundy (age 39) and [her sister-in-law] Mathilde Carolingian Queen Consort Burgundy (age 21) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Burgundy. She the daughter of Louis "Overseas" IV King West Francia and Gerberga Queen Consort West Francia. He the son of [her father] Rudolph "Pious" II King Burgundy II King Italy and [her mother] Bertha Swabia Queen Consort Italy. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 11th October 965 [her brother-in-law] Bruno Saxon Ottonian Archbishop Cologne (age 40) died.
On 2nd March 968 [her step-son] William Saxon Ottonian Archbishop of Mainz (age 39) died.
On 7th May 973 [her husband] Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 60) died. His son [her son] Otto (age 18) succeeded II King Germany.
On 7th December 983 [her son] Otto "Red" II King Germany II Holy Roman Emperor II King Italy (age 28) died following a malaria outbreak. His son [her grandson] Otto (age 3) succeeded III King Germany.
On 19th October 993 [her brother] Conrad I King Burgundy (age 68) died. His son [her nephew] Rudolph (age 22) succeeded III King Burgundy.
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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In 999 [her daughter] Matilda Saxon Ottonian Abbess Quedlinburg (age 43) died.
On 16th December 999 Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 68) died.
[her father] Rudolph "Pious" II King Burgundy II King Italy and [her mother] Bertha Swabia Queen Consort Italy were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Italy. He the son of [her grandfather] Rudolph I King Burgundy.
Great x 3 Grandfather: Welf
Great x 2 Grandfather: Conrad Welf I Count Auxerre
Great x 4 Grandfather: Isambart "The Saxon" Saxony
Great x 3 Grandmother: Hedwig Saxony
Great x 1 Grandfather: Conrad Welf II Count Auxerre
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Tours
Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Tours Countess Auxerre
GrandFather: Rudolph I King Burgundy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Waldrada Worms Countess Auxerre
Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress
Mother: Bertha Swabia Queen Consort Italy