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: Williams Wynn
In 1634 William Williams 1st Baronet was born to [his father] Hugh Williams and [his mother] Emma Dolben. He was educated at Jesus College, Oxford University.
On 14th April 1664 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 30] and Margaret Kyffin were married. They had four sons and one daughter.
Around 1665 [his son] William Williams-Wynn 2nd Baronet was born to William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 31] and [his wife] Margaret Kyffin. He married (1) 6th June 1687 Jane Thelwall and had issue (2) after 1706 Catherine Davies.
In 1673 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 39] sat unsuccessfully for MP Chester in a by-election.
In 1675 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 41] was elected MP Chester in a by-election.
In 1680 and 1681 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 46] was elected Speaker of the House of Commons.
In 1685 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 51] was elected MP Montgomeryshire. His return was cancelled on petition, on the grounds that the contributory boroughs had no opportunity of voting. The prosecution resumed, and he was fined £10,000. He was also fined £20,000 after similar action was instigated by the Earl of Peterborough [aged 63]. Supporters worked on his behalf, including the Earl of Rochester [aged 42]; subsequently, £8,000 was accepted as full payment for the former fine, and Peterborough accepted a token payment for the latter after persuasion from James, now king.
In 1687 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 53] was appointed Solicitor General.
On 6th June 1687 [his son] William Williams-Wynn 2nd Baronet [aged 22] and [his daughter-in-law] Jane Thelwall were married.
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.
In June 1688 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 54] was created 1st Baronet Williams of Gray's Inn.
In 1689 and 1681 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 55] was elected MP Beaumaris.
On 11th July 1700 William Williams 1st Baronet [aged 66] died. He was buried at Llansilin. His son William [aged 35] succeeded 2nd Baronet Williams of Gray's Inn.