William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford 1626-1695

Paternal Family Tree: Wentworth

In or before 1622 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 28] and Margaret Clifford were married. She the daughter of Francis Clifford 4th Earl of Cumberland [aged 62] and Grisold Hughes Countess Cumberland. They were fifth cousin once removed.

In February 1625 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 31] and [his mother] Arabella Holles were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] John Holles 1st Earl de Clare [aged 60] and [his grandmother] Anne Stanhope Countess de Clare [aged 49]. They were sixth cousins.

On 8th June 1626 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford was born to Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 33] and Arabella Holles at Wentworth.

On 22nd July 1628 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 35] was created 1st Baron Wentworth.

In 1629 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 35] was created 1st Viscount Wentworth.

In 1631 [his mother] Arabella Holles died in childbirth.

In October 1632 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 39] and Elizabeth Rhodes Countess Strafford [aged 26] were married.

On 12th November 1635 Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 63] died. His son Ulick [aged 31] succeeded 5th Earl Clanricarde, 2nd Earl St Albans. [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 42] was blamed for his death making an enemy of Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and his half-brother (they shared the same mother Frances Walsingham Countess Essex) Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 44].

On 12th January 1640 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 46] was created 1st Earl Strafford. Elizabeth Rhodes Countess Strafford [aged 34] by marriage Countess Strafford.

On 12th May 1641 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 48] was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. Earl Strafford, Viscount Wentworth, Baron Wentworth, Baronet Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire forfeit. His execution was attended by an enormous crowd.

Wenceslaus Hollar [aged 33]. Engraving of the execution of Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford marked as C with James Ussher [aged 60] marked as A.

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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In 1654. Robert Walker [aged 55]. Portrait of William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford [aged 27].

On 27th February 1654 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford [aged 27] and Henriette Stanley Countess Strafford [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby and Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby [aged 54]. He the son of Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford and Arabella Holles. They were fourth cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Before 1655 [his brother-in-law] Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby [aged 26] and Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. She the daughter of Jehan Lord of Heenvliet [aged 60] and Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield [aged 45]. He the son of James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby and [his mother-in-law] Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby [aged 55].

On 5th May 1659 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 28] and [his sister-in-law] Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 26] were married. She the daughter of James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby and [his mother-in-law] Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby [aged 59]. He the son of John Murray 1st Earl Atholl and Jean Campbell Countess Atholl.

In 1661 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford [aged 34] was appointed 465th Knight of the Garter by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 30].

In 1662 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford [aged 35] was restored 2nd Earl Strafford, 2nd Viscount Wentworth, 2nd Baron Wentworth, 3rd Baronet Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire. [his wife] Henriette Stanley Countess Strafford [aged 31] by marriage Countess Strafford.

On 21st December 1672 [his brother-in-law] Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby [aged 44] died. His son William [aged 17] succeeded 9th Earl Derby, 3rd Baron Strange Knockin.

On 7th February 1676 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 44] was created 1st Marquess Atholl. [his sister-in-law] Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 43] by marriage Marchioness Atholl.

On 27th December 1685 [his wife] Henriette Stanley Countess Strafford [aged 55] died. She was buried at York Minster [Map].

On 16th October 1695 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford [aged 69] died. He was buried at York Minster [Map]. Earl Strafford, Viscount Wentworth, Baron Wentworth, Baronet Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire extinct.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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Around 1740 George Knapton [aged 42]. Portrait of William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford.

Royal Ancestors of William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford 1626-1695

Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King William I of Scotland

Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Philip IV of France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Kings Spain: Great x 14 Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon

Ancestors of William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford 1626-1695

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Wentworth 9 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas "Golden Thomas" Wentworth 10 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Fitzwilliam 12 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Wentworth 9 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodruffe

Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrix Woodruffe 8 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrix Fitzwilliam 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Wentworth 10 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England

Grandfather: William Wentworth 1st Baronet 7 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gascoigne 4 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Gascoigne 5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Frognall

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Gascoigne 5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzwilliam 12 x Great Grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Fitzwilliam 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Neville 3 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Gascoigne 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tempest of Borughton

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Tempest of Broughton

Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Tempest

father: Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford 8 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Atkins

Grandmother: Anne Atkins Baroness Wentworth Woodhouse

William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford 8 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Holles

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Holles

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Holles

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Scopham

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Scopham

Great x 1 Grandfather: Denzil Holles

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Denzell

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Denzell

Grandfather: John Holles 1st Earl de Clare 7 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Sheffield

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Sheffield 8 x Great Grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ellen Delves 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Sheffield 1st Baron Sheffield 5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Stanley 9th Baron Strange Knockin 5th Baron Mohun Dunster 3 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Stanley 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Strange 9th Baroness Strange of Knockin 5th Baroness Dunster 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Sheffield 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 4 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford 5 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Colbroke

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Vere Baroness Sheffield 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Trussell

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 8 x Great Granddaughter of King William I of Scotland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Donne 7 x Great Granddaughter of King William I of Scotland

mother: Arabella Holles 7 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanhope

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Stanhope

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret or Mary Jerningham

Great x 2 Grandfather: Michael Stanhope 4 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulk Bourchier 10th Baron Fitzwarin 2 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bourchier 3 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dynham Baroness Fitzwarin 8 x Great Granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Stanhope 5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Rawson of Aveley in Essex

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Rawson

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Cooke

Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrix Cooke

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Belnap

Grandmother: Anne Stanhope Countess de Clare 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Port

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Port