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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Condover Hall, Shropshire, Condover Shropshire, Welsh March, England, British Isles

Condover Hall, Shropshire is in Condover Shropshire [Map].

In 1586 Thomas Owen of Condover purchased Condover Hall, Shropshire from the Vynar family and proceeded to rebuild to Halll and lay out gardens. He had been leasin gthe house since 1578.

On 21st December 1598 Thomas Owen of Condover died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Roger Owen of Condover inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

In 1718 Roger Owen of Condover [aged 43] died. Latitia Owen [aged 22] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

On 10th August 1755 Latitia Owen [aged 59] died. Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet [aged 8] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

In 1784 Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet [aged 37] died unmarried. His half brother Robert [aged 32] succeeded 5th Baronet Leighton of Wattlesborough. Anna-Maria Leighton and her husband Nicholas Smythe [aged 54] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

On 8th March 1790 Nicholas Smythe [aged 60] died. Nicholas Owen Smythe [aged 21] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

On 30th January 1804 Nicholas Owen Smythe [aged 35] died. Edward William Pemberton aka Smythe Owen [aged 10] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

Creevey Papers. Mr. Creevey to Miss Ord.

Condover Hall, Sept. I, 1828.

"... Our coach was full, but we dropt two at Oxford, and to my great delight we left the other filthy wretch at Birmingham at 6 in the morning. He had been eating prawns all night, and flinging the skins at the bottom of the coach. However, I changed coaches at Birmingham, so it was all mighty well. Having breakfasted then at that early hour, I came alone to Shrewsbury . . and embarked in a chay for Condover Hall, just 5 miles from Salop. Altho' the two Stoke young ladies . . have always praised the house much to me, their praises have been much— very much — below its deserts. It is a charming and most incomparable house

On 9th April 1863 Edward William Pemberton aka Smythe Owen [aged 69] died. His cousin Reginald Cholmondeley [aged 36] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.

On 10th February 1896 Reginald Cholmondeley [aged 69] died. Condover Hall, Shropshire was sold to the Royal National Institute for the Blind.