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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Paternal Family Tree: Saxon Ottonian
Maternal Family Tree: Matilda Ringelheim Queen Consort East Francia
On 23rd November 912 Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor was born to [his father] Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia (age 36) and [his mother] Matilda Ringelheim Queen Consort East Francia.
On 30th November 912 [his father] Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia (age 36) succeeded I Duke Saxony.
On 24th May 919 [his father] Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia (age 43) was created I King East Francia.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 4th September 925. And [his future brother-in-law] Athelstan (age 31) was chosen king in Mercia, and consecrated at Kingston [Map]. He gave his [his future wife] sister to Otho (age 12), son of the [his father] king of the Old-Saxons (age 49). St. Dunstan (age 16) was now born; and Wulfhelm took to the archbishopric in Canterbury. This year King Athelstan and Sihtric king of the Northumbrians came together at Tamworth, Staffordshire [Map], the sixth day before the calends of February, and Athelstan gave away his sister to him.
In 929 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 929 [his son] William Saxon Ottonian Archbishop of Mainz was born to Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 16).
Around 930 [his son] Liudolf Duke Swabia was born to Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 17) and [his wife] Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany. He married 948 Ida Swabia, daughter of Herman Swabia 1st Duke Swabia, and had issue.
In 931 [his daughter] Liutgarde Saxon Ottonian was born to Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 18) and [his wife] Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany. She married Conrad "Red" Saxony I Duke Lorraine.
Around 932 Æthelstan Half King (age 22) was appointed Earldorman East Anglia by [his brother-in-law] King Æthelstan I of England (age 38).
In 933 [his brother-in-law] Edwin the Ætheling was drowned at sea. The circumstances of his death are unclear. Some sources say a storm caused the ship to sink, some say his brother King Æthelstan I of England (age 39) sent him to sea in a leaky boat.
On 2nd July 936 [his father] Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia (age 60) died. His son Otto (age 23) succeeded I King Germany, I Duke Saxony. [his wife] Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany by marriage Queen Consort Germany.
In 937 [his brother-in-law] King Æthelstan I of England (age 43) and his son Edmund (age 16) defeated the Scottish, Irish Viking and Strathclyde army at the Battle of Brunanburh. Two of Æthelstan's cousins, Æthelwine Wessex and Aelfwine Wessex were killed.
Archbishop Oda was present although there are no contemporary records of Oda's appearance at the battle. He is said to have miraculously provided a sword to the king when the king's own sword slipped out of its scabbard.
On 27th October 939 [his brother-in-law] King Æthelstan I of England (age 45) died in Gloucester [Map]. His half brother Edmund (age 18) succeeded King of England.
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.'
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In or before 943 [his brother-in-law] King Edmund I of England (age 21) and Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury Queen Consort England were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. He the son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons.
In or after 944 [his brother-in-law] King Edmund I of England (age 23) and Æthelflæd of Damerham Queen Consort of England were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. He the son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons.
On 26th January 946 [his wife] Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany died.
In 948 [his brother] Henry Saxon Ottonian I Duke Bavaria (age 28) was created I Duke Bavaria.
Around 948 Liudolf Duke Swabia (age 18) and Ida Swabia were married. She the daughter of Herman Swabia 1st Duke Swabia. He the son of Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 35) and Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany.
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 [his brother] Bruno Saxon Ottonian Archbishop Cologne (age 27) was appointed Archbishop Cologne.
On 18th November 953 [his daughter] Liutgarde Saxon Ottonian (age 22) died.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 954 [his brother] Bruno Saxon Ottonian Archbishop Cologne (age 28) was appointed Duke Lorraine.
In 955 [his son] Otto "Red" II King Germany II Holy Roman Emperor II King Italy was born to Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 42) and [his wife] Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 24). He married Theophanu Unknown Holy Roman Empress and had issue.
On 1st November 955 [his brother] Henry Saxon Ottonian I Duke Bavaria (age 35) died. His son [his nephew] Henry (age 4) succeeded II Duke Bavaria.
In December 955 [his daughter] Matilda Saxon Ottonian Abbess Quedlinburg was born to Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 43) and [his wife] Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 24).
On 6th September 957 [his son] Liudolf Duke Swabia (age 27) died.
On 25th December 961 Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 49) was appointed I King Italy. [his wife] Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 30) by marriage Queen Consort Italy.
On 2nd February 962 Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 49) was created Holy Roman Emperor. [his wife] Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 31) by marriage Holy Roman Empress.
In 964 [his brother-in-law] Conrad I King Burgundy (age 39) and [his niece] 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 Rudolph "Pious" II King Burgundy II King Italy and Bertha Swabia Queen Consort Italy. They were fourth cousin once removed.
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 11th October 965 [his brother] Bruno Saxon Ottonian Archbishop Cologne (age 40) died.
On 2nd March 968 [his son] William Saxon Ottonian Archbishop of Mainz (age 39) died.
On 7th May 973 Otto I King Germany I King Italy Holy Roman Emperor (age 60) died. His son Otto (age 18) succeeded II King Germany.
On 16th December 999 [his former wife] Adelaide Welf Holy Roman Empress (age 68) died.
[his father] Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia and Hatheburg Unknown Queen Consort East Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort East Francia.
[his father] Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia and [his mother] Matilda Ringelheim Queen Consort East Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort East Francia.