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 format.
On 20th March 1856 John Lavery was born. He was baptised at St Patrick's Church Belfast.
1885. John Lavery [aged 28]. "Under the Cheery Tree". Painted at Grez-sur-Loing, a small village on the river Loing, south of Fontainbleu, near Paris, where artists had gathered since the 1860s. Lavery worked there in 1883 and 1884
1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. "Eileen, Her First Communion". Portrait of [his daughter] Eileen Lavery.
In 1889 John Lavery [aged 32] and Kathleen MacDermott were married.
1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. Portrait of Charles Tennant 1st Baronet [aged 65].
Around 1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. Portrait of William Scott 6th Duke Buccleuch 8th Duke Queensberry [aged 57].
1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. Portrait of Schomberg Henry Kerr Kerr 9th Marquess Lothian [aged 55].
Schomberg Henry Kerr Kerr 9th Marquess Lothian: On 2nd December 1833 he was born to John Kerr 7th Marquess Lothian and Cecil Chetwynd-Talbot Marchioness Lothian. In 1865 Schomberg Henry Kerr Kerr 9th Marquess Lothian and Victoria Alexandrina Montagu-Douglas-Scott Marchioness Lothian were married. She the daughter of Walter Scott 5th Duke Buccleuch 7th Duke Queensberry and Charlotte Anne Thynne Duchess Buccleuch Duchess Queensbury. He the son of John Kerr 7th Marquess Lothian and Cecil Chetwynd-Talbot Marchioness Lothian. They were sixth cousins. On 17th January 1900 Schomberg Henry Kerr Kerr 9th Marquess Lothian died. His daughter Robert succeeded 10th Marchioness Lothian, 12th Countess Lothian, 10th Countess Lothian.
In or before 1891 [his daughter] Eileen Lavery was born to John Lavery [aged 34] and [his wife] Kathleen MacDermott. She married (1) 1912 James Dickinson (2) 1919 William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill and had issue.
In 1891 [his wife] Kathleen MacDermott died of tuberculosis.
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.
1901. John Lavery [aged 44]. "The Bridge at Grès".
1901. John Lavery [aged 44]. "[his daughter] Eileen [aged 10], her first communion".
In 1903 Edward Livingston Trudeau Junior and [his future wife] Hazel Martyn [aged 22] were married. He died five months later. They had one daughter, Alice, born 10 October 1904.
Around 1908. John Lavery [aged 51]. Lady in Black.
In 1909 John Lavery [aged 52] and Hazel Martyn [aged 28] were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years.
1909. John Lavery [aged 52]. "The Mother", showing the artist's daughter Eileen [aged 18] with her child.
1910 . John Lavery [aged 53]. Portrait of Priscilla Cecilia Moore Countess Annesley.
Priscilla Cecilia Moore Countess Annesley: she was born to William Armitage Moore. On 2nd July 1892 Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Annesley 5th Earl Annesley and she were married at St Marylebone Church. She by marriage Countess Annesley of Castlewellan in County Down. He the son of William Richard Annesley 3rd Earl Annesley and Priscilla Cecilia Moore Countess Annesley. They were first cousins. On 9th October 1941 she died.
1911. John Lavery [aged 54]. "On the Cliffs".
In 1912 [his son-in-law] James Dickinson and Eileen Lavery [aged 21] were married. They were divorced before 1920. She the daughter of John Lavery [aged 55] and Kathleen MacDermott.
1913. John Lavery [aged 56]. "Loch Katrine".
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
7th July 1917. John Lavery [aged 61]. "Daylight raid from my studio window", records the afternoon of 7th July 1917, when twenty-one German biplanes appeared in the skies above London and were engaged by British aircraft. The ensuing combat could be seen from the large window of Lavery’s studio in Cromwell Place, London. The artist’s wife Hazel [aged 37], her head outlined against a blackout curtain, is watching the scene
1919 . John Lavery [aged 62]. Portrait of Violet Keppel [aged 24].
In 1919 [his son-in-law] William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill [aged 25] and Eileen Lavery [aged 28] were married. She the daughter of John Lavery [aged 62] and Kathleen MacDermott.
1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "His Eminence Cardinal Logue".
1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. Portrait of James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon [aged 48].
James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon: On 8th January 1871 he was born. In 1918 James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon was created 1st Baronet Craig. In 1927 James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon was created 1st Viscount Craigavon of Stormont in County Down. On 24th November 1940 he died.
1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "The Lady in Black and Green" aka Portrait of Mrs Dudley Ward aka Winifred "Freda" May Birkin [aged 25].
1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "The Green Coat". Portrait of [his wife] Hazel Martyn [aged 39].
1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "Tangier Bay Sunshine".
1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "The Red Hammock". Portrait of the artist's wife Hazel Martyn [aged 39].
1922. John Lavery [aged 65]. Portrait of Sybil Sassoon Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 27].
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1922. John Lavery [aged 65]. "Lady Lavery". Portrait of the artist's second wife Hazel Martyn [aged 41].
Around 1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. "Mrs Forbes-Semphill". Portrait of the artist's daughter Eileen Lavery [aged 33] and his grand-daughter Ann Moira Forbes-Semphill [aged 4].
Ann Moira Forbes-Semphill: In 1920 she was born to William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill and Eileen Lavery. On 30th December 1965 William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill died. Ann Moira Forbes-Semphill inherited the Semphill peerage. The Baronetcy passed to his younger sibling Ewans Forbes who had been registered at birth and raised as female, but lived as a man, and had his birth re-registered as male. This inheritance was challenged on grounds of sex by a cousin, John Forbes-Sempill, but upheld in the courts.
1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. "Twilight, Lake of Geneva".
Around 1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. Portrait of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 45].
Around 1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. "Hazel in Black and Gold". Portrait of the artist's second wife Hazel Martyn [aged 43].
1924 . John Lavery [aged 67]. Portrait of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 45].
1927. John Lavery [aged 70]. "Florida in Winter".
1928. John Lavery [aged 71]. Self-portrait.
The Times. 24th October 1928. The King was represented by Sir Harry Verney, and the Prince of Wales by the Hon Bruce Ogilvy, and Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll by Col B. W. L. MacMahon at the service for Sir Frank Dicksee which took place yesterday in Westminster Abbey. The Dean of Westminster officiated, assisted by Canon Storr, and the Reverend H. L. Nixon. A procession was formed at the West Door, and proceeded through the nave headed by the full choir and clergy.
The Pall Bearers were all titled with the exception of J. W. MacKail the distinguished academic and son-in-law of Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Amongst the mourners were many members of the Dicksee family, including Miss Mary Dicksee (sister), and Mr Herbert Thomas Dicksee. Official representatives included The French Ambassador, the Belgian Ambassador. The Brazilian Ambassador, the Swedish Minister, the High Commissioners for Australia and New Zealand, and (the 2nd) Lord Leverhume. Also present were many Academicians including W. Ouless, Sir John Lavery [aged 72], W. Goscombe-John [aged 68]. Mrs Blair Leighton, widow of Edmund, and Lady East [aged 83], widow of Sir Alfred were also among the mourners. The list of mourners in The Times includes many of the most distinguished people of the day.
1929. John Lavery [aged 72]. Portrait of the artist's wife Hazel Martyn [aged 48].
In 1935 [his daughter] Eileen Lavery [aged 44] died.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1935 [his wife] Hazel Martyn [aged 54] died. Her funeral mass took place at the Brompton Oratory in Knightsbridge. She was buried with her husband in Putney Vale Cemetery.
Before 1941 . John Lavery [aged 84]. Portrait of Miss Diana Chamberlain. Possibly Diane Chamberlain.
Diane Chamberlain: she was born to Austen Chamberlain.
On 10th January 1941 John Lavery [aged 84] died.