Oswald Birley 1880-1952

On 5th December 1877 [his father] Hugh Birley [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth McCorquodale [aged 22] were married.

On 31st March 1880 Oswald Birley was born to Hugh Birley [aged 24] and Elizabeth McCorquodale [aged 24] in New Zealand.

On 5th November 1916 [his father] Hugh Birley [aged 61] died.

In 1921 Oswald Birley [aged 40] and Rhoda Vava Pike [aged 21] were married.

On 25th June 1922 [his daughter] Maxime Birley was born to Oswald Birley [aged 42] and [his wife] Rhoda Vava Pike [aged 23] in West Dean, Sussex. Given the name 'Maxine' at birth she later changed it to 'Maxime' following her marriage to Alain Le Bailly de La Falaise in 1946. She married (1) 1946 Count Alain Le Bailly de La Falaise.

1924. Oswald Birley [aged 43]. Portrait of Fiennes Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis [aged 59].

On 6th July 1928 [his mother] Elizabeth McCorquodale [aged 72] died.

1930. Oswald Birley [aged 49]. Portrait of Henry Neville 3rd Marquess Abergavenny [aged 75].

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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1930. Oswald Birley [aged 49]. Portrait of Arthur Holland 3rd Viscount Knutsford [aged 74].

Arthur Holland 3rd Viscount Knutsford: On 19th March 1855 Sydney Holland 2nd Viscount Knutsford and Arthur Holland 3rd Viscount Knutsford were born to Henry Holland 1st Viscount Knutsford and Elizabeth Margaret HIbbert Lady Holland. Their mother died two weeks later, On 5th November 1884 he and Ellen Lawson Viscountess Knutsford were married. On 27th July 1931 Sydney Holland 2nd Viscount Knutsford died. His succeeded brother Arthur succeeded 3rd Viscount Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 3rd Baron Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 4th Baronet Holland of Sandlebridge. Ellen Lawson Viscountess Knutsford by marriage Viscountess Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire. On 16th January 1935 he died. His succeeded son Thurstan succeeded 4th Viscount Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 4th Baron Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 5th Baronet Holland of Sandlebridge.

1930. Oswald Birley [aged 49]. Portrait of John Pole-Carew 12th Baronet [aged 27].

On 29th May 1930 [his son] Mark Birley was born to Oswald Birley [aged 50] and [his wife] Rhoda Vava Pike [aged 31]. He married 10th March 1954 Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart, daughter of Edward Vane-Tempest-Stewart 8th Marquess of Londonderry and Romaine Combe Marchioness of Londonderry.

1943. Oswald Birley [aged 62]. Portrait of Diana Langton [aged 70].

Diana Langton: On 6th June 1872 she was born to Edmund Langton and Emily Caroline Langton Massingberd. In 1896 Field-Marshal Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd and she were married. On 26th November 1963 Diana Langton died.

1943. Oswald Birley [aged 62]. Portrait of Edward Fitzroy [aged 73].

Before 1944. Oswald Birley [aged 63]. Portrait of Annie Allen Cunard Baroness Wenlock [aged 80].

Annie Allen Cunard Baroness Wenlock: In 1863 she was born to Edward Cunard 2nd Baronet. On 15th October 1885 Arthur Lawley 6th Baron Wenlock and she were married. On 14th June 1931 Algernon Lawley 5th Baron Wenlock died. His succeeded brother Arthur Lawley 6th Baron Wenlock succeeded 6th Baron Wenlock of Wenlock in Shropshire, 13th Baronet Lawley of Spoonhill in Shropshire which titles he enjoyed for a year dying a year later on the same day as his brother. She by marriage Baroness Wenlock. In 1944 Annie Allen Cunard Baroness Wenlock died.

1945. Oswald Birley [aged 64]. Portrait of Cynthia Mary Burns Lady Pole [aged 36].

Cynthia Mary Burns Lady Pole: On 22nd January 1908 she was born to Walter Spencer Morgan Burns and Ruth Evelyn Cavendish-Bentinck. On 12th June 1928 John Pole-Carew 12th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Pole of Shute House in Devon. They were fifth cousin once removed.

In 1946 [his son-in-law] Count Alain Le Bailly de La Falaise [aged 41] and Maxime Birley [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of Oswald Birley [aged 65] and Rhoda Vava Pike [aged 46].

1947. Oswald Birley [aged 66]. Portrait of Marye Frances Pole-Carew [aged 43].

Marye Frances Pole-Carew: On 19th April 1903 she was born to Lieutenant-General Reginald Pole-Carew and Beatrice Butler. In 1987 Marye Frances Pole-Carew died.

Around 1947. Oswald Birley [aged 66]. Portrait of Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [aged 51].

Before 1948. Oswald Birley [aged 67]. Portrait of Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal [aged 54] in the robes of a Knight of the Garter.

In 1950 [his son-in-law] Count Alain Le Bailly de La Falaise [aged 45] and [his daughter] Maxime Birley [aged 27] were divorced following a series of her infidelities, including an affair with British ambassador Alfred Duff Cooper 1st Viscount Norwich [aged 59].

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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Before 1952. Oswald Birley [aged 71]. Portrait of Thomas Brand 3rd Viscount Hampden [aged 82].

Thomas Brand 3rd Viscount Hampden: On 29th January 1869 he was born to Henry Brand 2nd Viscount Hampden and Susan Henrietta Cavendish Viscountess Hampden. On 29th April 1899 Thomas Brand 3rd Viscount Hampden and Katharine Mary Montagu-Douglas-Scott were married. They had eight children. She the daughter of William Scott 6th Duke Buccleuch 8th Duke Queensberry and Louisa Jane Hamilton Duchess Buccleuch and Queensbury. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 22nd November 1906 Henry Brand 2nd Viscount Hampden died. His succeeded son Thomas Brand 3rd Viscount Hampden succeeded 3rd Viscount Hampden, 25th Baron Dacre Gilsland, 24th Baron Multon of Gilsland. On 4th September 1958 Thomas Brand 3rd Viscount Hampden died. His succeeded son Thomas Brand 4th Viscount Hampden succeeded 4th Viscount Hampden, 26th Baron Dacre Gilsland, 25th Baron Multon of Gilsland. Leila Seely Viscountess Hampden by marriage Viscountess Hampden.

On 6th May 1952 Oswald Birley [aged 72] died.

On 15th June 1981 [his former wife] Rhoda Vava Pike [aged 82] died.

Ancestors of Oswald Birley 1880-1952

Great x 1 Grandfather: Hugh Hornby Birley

GrandFather: Joseph Birley

Great x 1 Grandmother: Cicely Hornby

Father: Hugh Birley

Oswald Birley

Great x 1 Grandfather: Hugh McCorquodale

GrandFather: George McCorquodale

Great x 1 Grandmother: Lucia Hall

Mother: Elizabeth McCorquodale

Great x 1 Grandfather: Frederick Honan

GrandMother: Louisa Kate Honan