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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Chronicle of Gregory 1435

Chronicle of Gregory 1435 is in Chronicle of Gregory.

12th June 1435. And that same year was slayne the Erle of Arundelle [aged 27] in France.

Ande that year was the Counselle of Aras of alle Crystyn nacyons for to trete of pes by twyne thes ij realmys, Ingelonde and Fraunce, there beynge iij cardynallys; the Cardynalle of Wynchester for the realme of Ingelonde, and his name was Syr Harry Bewforde, the Kyng of Ingelonde is onkylle; the Cardynalle of Syn Crosse, and the Cardynalle of Ciprys. And there was the Duke of Burgayne and many moo othyr lordys of that party. Ande of Ingelonde the Erle of Huntyngdone, whythe many othyr spyrytualle and temporalle of our partye. But was not to noo profyte, for the Fraynysche parte was not alle trewe in her comyng.

14th September 1435. Ande that same year, the xiiij day of Septembyr, deyde the Duke of Bedforde [aged 46], Regaunte of alle Fraunce, in the castelle of Rone [Map], bytwyne ij and iij in the mornynge; and his body is buryde in Nostre Dame Chyrche of Roone [Map]. And of his soule ande alle Crystyn soulys God have marcy, Amen.

25th November 1435 to 14th February 1436. Ande that same year there was a grete wyntyr and a colde froste, that duryd fro Syn Kateryns day to Synt Valentynys day next sewynge [spring?], soo that noo schippe might passe; wherefore the vyntage come by londe ynne cartys unto London fro the Downys, thoroughe Kent and ovyr Scheters Hylle [Map], for men provesyde be-fore at the vyntage of Gascon and Gyan shulde come ovyr Scheters Hylle, and men made but a mocke ther of.

And that year the kyng hylde a Parlyment at Westemyster, that duryd fro Mychellemasse unto the Feste of Crystysmas next folowynge.

Around 25th December 1435. Ande that same year, aboute Crystysmas, the Fraynysche parte gate a yenne Arflewe a and many moo othyr townys.