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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Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland -1653

Paternal Family Tree: Tufton

After 1574 [her future husband] Edward Hungerford and Jane Hungerford were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.

Before 10th December 1575 John Tufton 1st Baronet [aged 31] and Olympia Blore were married.

On 10th December 1575 John Tufton 1st Baronet [aged 31] and Christian Browne [aged 21] were married.

Before 3rd September 1602 Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 24] and Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter [aged 60] and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter [aged 54]. They were fourth cousin once removed.

In or before 1607 Edward Hungerford and Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland were married.

On 5th December 1607 [her husband] Edward Hungerford died.

Before 10th August 1612 Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland [aged 27] died around six weeks after her husband Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland. She was buried at St Paul's Cathedral [Map] next to her father Philip Sidney. In a letter from Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Ralph Winwood of 10th August he suggests she may have been poisoned: "The Widow Countefs of Rutland dyed lately, and is privately buryed in Paul's, by [i.e. next to] her Father Sir Phillip Sidney and Secretary Walflngham Sir Walter Raleigh is slandered to have given her certaine Pills that difpatchd her. The [her uncle] Vifcount Lisle [aged 48] is gone for Flufhing a thoufand Pound the Year richer by her Death."

In 1613 [her son] Henry Manners died.

On 5th March 1620 [her son] Francis Manners died.

On 16th May 1620 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 27] and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Buckingham. She the daughter of [her husband] Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 42] and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 50].

On 18th May 1623 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 30] was created 1st Duke of Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 56] for being his favourite; what favourite means is open to debate. Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 21] by marriage Duchess of Buckingham.

On 2nd April 1624 John Tufton 1st Baronet [aged 80] died. His son Nicholas [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 43] by marriage Lady Tufton of Hothfield.

On 1st November 1626 Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 48] was created 1st Baron Tufton. Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 45] by marriage Baroness Tufton.

On 5th August 1628 Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet [aged 50] was created 1st Earl of Thanet. Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet [aged 47] by marriage Countess of Thanet.

On 17th December 1632 Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 54] died at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire [Map]. On 20th February 1633 he was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Katherine [aged 30] succeeded 18th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother George [aged 52] succeeded 7th Earl of Rutland. Frances Carey Countess Rutland [aged 61] by marriage Countess of Rutland.