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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Oxford Journal is in Newspapers.
27th December 1755. They write from Portsmouth that on Thursday last a Six-oared Boat, belonging to his Majesty's Ship Lancaster, the Hon. John Hamilton [deceased], Commander, coming on Shore from the said Ship, with the Captain, his Footman, the Coxswain, and six Men in her, the Sail being gibbed, she broached to and filled, by which Accident the Captain, Coxswain, and one of the Men were unfortunately drowned.
The others supported themselves by holding on some part of the Boat till Help came. The Captain got twice on the Boat which lay Keel uppermost, bu the Sea washed him off. When the Boat overset, the Captain had on a large Cloak, from which he with Difficulty disengaged himself, and swam about the Boat above twenty Minutes, exhorting the Men to Resignation in Case they could not save themselves, and at the same Time encouraging them to exert their Strength to preserve Life.
This honourable Gentleman was highly respected for his Naval Skill and exemplary Piety, having divine Service performed twice a Day at Sea to the Ship's Company, to whom he was a Father. His whole Behaviour was uniform, and shewed both the Christian and the Gentleman.