John Lavery 1856-1941

On 20th March 1856 John Lavery was born. He was baptised at St Patrick's Church Belfast.

1885. John Lavery [aged 28]. "Under the Cheery Tree". Painted at Grez-sur-Loing, a small village on the river Loing, south of Fontainbleu, near Paris, where artists had gathered since the 1860s. Lavery worked there in 1883 and 1884

1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. "Eileen, Her First Communion". Portrait of [his daughter] Eileen Lavery.

In 1889 John Lavery [aged 32] and Kathleen MacDermott were married.

1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. Portrait of Charles Tennant 1st Baronet [aged 65].

Around 1889. John Lavery [aged 32]. Portrait of William Scott 6th Duke Buccleuch 8th Duke Queensberry [aged 57].

In or before 1891 [his daughter] Eileen Lavery was born to John Lavery [aged 34] and [his wife] Kathleen MacDermott. She married (1) 1912 James Dickinson (2) 1919 William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill and had issue.

In 1891 [his wife] Kathleen MacDermott died of tuberculosis.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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1901. John Lavery [aged 44]. "The Bridge at Grès".

1901. John Lavery [aged 44]. "[his daughter] Eileen [aged 10], her first communion".

In 1903 Edward Livingston Trudeau Junior and [his future wife] Hazel Martyn [aged 22] were married. He died five months later. They had one daughter, Alice, born 10 October 1904.

Around 1908. John Lavery [aged 51]. Lady in Black.

In 1909 John Lavery [aged 52] and Hazel Martyn [aged 28] were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years.

1909. John Lavery [aged 52]. "The Mother", showing the artist's daughter Eileen [aged 18] with her child.

1910 . John Lavery [aged 53]. Portrait of Priscilla Cecilia Moore Countess Annesley.

Priscilla Cecilia Moore Countess Annesley: she was born to William Armitage Moore. On 2nd July 1892 Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Annesley 5th Earl Annesley and she were married at St Marylebone Church. She by marriage Countess Annesley of Castlewellan in County Down. He the son of William Richard Annesley 3rd Earl Annesley and Priscilla Cecilia Moore Countess Annesley. They were first cousins. On 9th October 1941 she died.

1911. John Lavery [aged 54]. "On the Cliffs".

In 1912 [his son-in-law] James Dickinson and Eileen Lavery [aged 21] were married. They were divorced before 1920. She the daughter of John Lavery [aged 55] and Kathleen MacDermott.

1913. John Lavery [aged 56]. "Loch Katrine".

7th July 1917. John Lavery [aged 61]. "Daylight raid from my studio window", records the afternoon of 7th July 1917, when twenty-one German biplanes appeared in the skies above London and were engaged by British aircraft. The ensuing combat could be seen from the large window of Lavery’s studio in Cromwell Place, London. The artist’s wife Hazel [aged 37], her head outlined against a blackout curtain, is watching the scene

1919 . John Lavery [aged 62]. Portrait of Violet Keppel [aged 24].

In 1919 [his son-in-law] William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill [aged 25] and Eileen Lavery [aged 28] were married. She the daughter of John Lavery [aged 62] and Kathleen MacDermott.

1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "His Eminence Cardinal Logue".

Annals of Kings Richard II and Henry IV 1393-1406

The Annals of Kings Richard II and Henry IV offers a vivid contemporary account of one of the most turbulent periods in late medieval England. Covering the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV, the chronicle records royal ceremonies, political conflict, rebellion, war, taxation, religious controversy, executions, popular unrest and remarkable portents. Its pages include a detailed description of Richard II’s coronation, the fall and deposition of the king, Henry IV’s seizure of the throne, the Percy rebellion, the execution of Archbishop Richard Scrope, the campaigns of Owain Glyndŵr, and England’s relations with Scotland, France, Portugal and Scandinavia. Alongside affairs of state, the annalist preserves reports of miracles, eclipses, prophecies, supernatural events and the experiences of ordinary townspeople, clergy, soldiers and travellers. Written from a monastic perspective, the work combines political observation with moral judgement, presenting victories and disasters as evidence of divine favour or punishment. At once a historical record and a reflection of medieval belief, the Annals provides an invaluable window into the challenges, ceremonies and conflicts of England at the turn of the fifteenth century.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. Portrait of James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon [aged 48].

James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon: On 8th January 1871 he was born. In 1918 James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon was created 1st Baronet Craig. In 1927 James Craig 1st Viscount Craigavon was created 1st Viscount Craigavon of Stormont in County Down. On 24th November 1940 he died.

1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "The Lady in Black and Green" aka Portrait of Mrs Dudley Ward aka Winifred "Freda" May Birkin [aged 25].

1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "The Green Coat". Portrait of [his wife] Hazel Martyn [aged 39].

1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "Tangier Bay Sunshine".

1920. John Lavery [aged 63]. "The Red Hammock". Portrait of the artist's wife Hazel Martyn [aged 39].

1922. John Lavery [aged 65]. Portrait of Sybil Sassoon Marchioness Cholmondeley [aged 27].

1922. John Lavery [aged 65]. "Lady Lavery". Portrait of the artist's second wife Hazel Martyn [aged 41].

Around 1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. "Mrs Forbes-Semphill". Portrait of the artist's daughter Eileen Lavery [aged 33] and his grand-daughter Ann Moira Forbes-Semphill [aged 4].

Ann Moira Forbes-Semphill: In 1920 she was born to William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill and Eileen Lavery. On 30th December 1965 William Francis Forbes-Sempill 10th Baronet 19th Lord Sempill died. Ann Moira Forbes-Semphill inherited the Semphill peerage. The Baronetcy passed to his younger sibling Ewans Forbes who had been registered at birth and raised as female, but lived as a man, and had his birth re-registered as male. This inheritance was challenged on grounds of sex by a cousin, John Forbes-Sempill, but upheld in the courts.

1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. "Twilight, Lake of Geneva".

Around 1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. Portrait of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 45].

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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

Around 1924. John Lavery [aged 67]. "Hazel in Black and Gold". Portrait of the artist's second wife Hazel Martyn [aged 43].

1924 . John Lavery [aged 67]. Portrait of Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 45].

1927. John Lavery [aged 70]. "Florida in Winter".

1928. John Lavery [aged 71]. Self-portrait.

The Times. 24th October 1928. The King was represented by Sir Harry Verney, and the Prince of Wales by the Hon Bruce Ogilvy, and Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll by Col B. W. L. MacMahon at the service for Sir Frank Dicksee which took place yesterday in Westminster Abbey. The Dean of Westminster officiated, assisted by Canon Storr, and the Reverend H. L. Nixon. A procession was formed at the West Door, and proceeded through the nave headed by the full choir and clergy.

The Pall Bearers were all titled with the exception of J. W. MacKail the distinguished academic and son-in-law of Sir Edward Burne-Jones. Amongst the mourners were many members of the Dicksee family, including Miss Mary Dicksee (sister), and Mr Herbert Thomas Dicksee. Official representatives included The French Ambassador, the Belgian Ambassador. The Brazilian Ambassador, the Swedish Minister, the High Commissioners for Australia and New Zealand, and (the 2nd) Lord Leverhume. Also present were many Academicians including W. Ouless, Sir John Lavery [aged 72], W. Goscombe-John [aged 68]. Mrs Blair Leighton, widow of Edmund, and Lady East [aged 83], widow of Sir Alfred were also among the mourners. The list of mourners in The Times includes many of the most distinguished people of the day.

1929. John Lavery [aged 72]. Portrait of the artist's wife Hazel Martyn [aged 48].

In 1935 [his daughter] Eileen Lavery [aged 44] died.

In 1935 [his wife] Hazel Martyn [aged 54] died. Her funeral mass took place at the Brompton Oratory in Knightsbridge. She was buried with her husband in Putney Vale Cemetery.

Before 1941 . John Lavery [aged 84]. Portrait of Miss Diana Chamberlain. Possibly Diane Chamberlain.

Diane Chamberlain: she was born to Austen Chamberlain.

On 10th January 1941 John Lavery [aged 84] died.