Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'

This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.

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Biography of William Orpen 1878-1931

William Orpen is in Painters.

Before 27th November 1878 [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 48) and [his mother] Anne Caulfield were married.

On 27th November 1878 William Orpen was born to [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 48) and [his mother] Anne Caulfield at Stillorgan, Dublin.

1900. William Orpen (age 21). "The Mirror". Model Emily Scoble from the Slade School of Art tto whom the artist was briefly engaged. She ended their relationship in 1901.

1901. William Orpen (age 22). Self-Portrait. "The family of George Swinton" including George Swinton (age 41) and Elizabeth Ebsworth.

George Swinton: On 10th May 1859 he was born to Archibald Campbell Swinton and Georgiana Caroline Sitwell. In 1895 George Swinton and Elizabeth Ebsworth were married. On 17th January 1937 George Swinton died.

Elizabeth Ebsworth: she was born to E H Ebsworth of Gattonside.

After 1901 William Orpen (age 22) and Grace Knewstub were married.

1905. William Orpen (age 26). "The Mirror".

1907. William Orpen (age 28). Self-Portrait. "Self-portrait with glasses".

Around 1907. William Orpen (age 28). Portrait of Grace Gifford (age 18).

Grace Gifford: On 4th March 1888 she was born. On 3rd May 1916 Joseph Plunkett and she were married in the chapel of Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, a few hours before he was executed. Guards John Smith and John Lockerby were the only two witnesses. On 4th May 1916 Joseph Plunkett was executed for his part in the Easter Rising. His wife, Grace Gifford, who hed had married hours before, was woken at two am and taken back to the jail where they had their final meeting. On 13th December 1955 she died.

Around 1908 to 1912. William Orpen (age 29). "[his wife] Grace reading at Howth Bay". Model the artist's wife Grace Knewstub.

Grace Knewstub: After 1901 William Orpen and she were married.

Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes

Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.

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1913. William Orpen (age 34). Self-Portrait. "Sowing New Seed".

1913. William Orpen (age 34). Self-Portrait. "Sowing New Seed".

1915. William Orpen (age 36). Portrait of Myra Idina Sackville Countess of Erroll (age 21).

1917. William Orpen (age 38). Portrait of Lady Marriott, Maud "Momo" Kahn (age 20).

Maud "Momo" Kahn: In 1897 she was born. In 1920 John Charles Oakes Marriott and she were married. In 1960 she died.

1917. William Orpen (age 38). Portrait of Yvonne Aubicq.

1917. William Orpen (age 38). "The Refugee". Model Yvonne Aubicq.

1917. William Orpen (age 38). Self-Portrait.

1918. William Orpen (age 39). "Zonnebeke".

1918. William Orpen (age 39). "Dead Germans in a Trench".

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Edgar Gascoyne-Cecil 1st Viscount Cecil (age 54).

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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1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville (age 48).

Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville: On 10th August 1870 he was born to William Sackville-West and Georgina Dodwell. On 28th January 1928 Lionel Sackville-West 3rd Baron Sackville died. His brother Charles succeeded 4th Baron Sackville of Knole in Kent. On 8th May 1962 Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville died. His son Edward succeeded 5th Baron Sackville of Knole in Kent.

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of George Allardice 1st Baron Riddell (age 53).

1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Edward George Villiers Stanley 17th Earl of Derby (age 53).

In 1926 [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 96) died.

1928. William Orpen (age 49). Portrait of Ernest Benn 2nd Baronet (age 52).

Ernest Benn 2nd Baronet: On 25th June 1875 he was born. On 17th January 1954 he died.

On 29th September 1931 William Orpen (age 52) died.

Royal Ancestors of William Orpen

Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 27 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 22 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 21 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 23 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of William Orpen

Father: Arthur Herbert Orpen

William Orpen 15 x Great Grand Son of

GrandFather: Bishop Charles Caulfield

Mother: Anne Caulfield 14 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry St George 9 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: George St George 10 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard St George 1st Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bligh

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizzabeth Bligh

Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Bligh St George 2nd Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of

GrandMother: Grace St George 13 x Great Grand Daughter of