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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See Painters.
On 24th June 1905 John "Rex" Whistler was born.
1925. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 19]. Trial Scene from 'The Merchant of Venice'.
1926. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 20]. "Medusa".
1927. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 21]. "The Expedition in Pursuit of Rare Meats". A mural, commissioned in 1926 and completed in 1927 by the gallery's inaugural director, Charles Aitken, at the Tate Gallery in London, for the re-opening of its restaurant, where it forms the entire interior surround of what was the eponymously named eatery.
1928. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 22]. "Ave Silvae Dornii" i.e. "Hail, Forest of Dorney". Mural at Dorneywood House, Buckinghamshire. inscribed with the initials CT [Courtauld Thomson], who commissioned the painting, signed and dated 1928. Illusionistic architectural framing device with Corinthian columns, inscribed at top "Ave Silvae Dornii" i.e. "Hail, Forest of Dorney".
1929. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 23]. Portrait of Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson 14th Baron Berners [aged 45].
Gerald Hugh Tyrwhitt-Wilson 14th Baron Berners: On 18th September 1883 he was born to Commander Hugh Tyrwhitt. On 5th September 1918 Raymond Robert Tyrwhitt-Wilson 13th Baron Berners died. His nephew Gerald succeeded 14th Baron Berners, 5th Baronet Tyrwhitt of Stanley Hall in Shropshire. On 19th April 1950 he died. His first cousin Vera succeeded 15th Baroness Berners. Baronet Tyrwhitt of Stanley Hall in Shropshire extinct.
1933. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 27]. Self-portrait.
1934. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 28]. Self-portrait.
1934. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 28]. Angela [aged 17] and Penelope [aged 19] Dudley Ward. Whistler is the fountain satyr
Claire Angela Dudley Ward: On 25th May 1916 she was born to William Dudley Ward and Winifred "Freda" May Birkin. On 1st December 1999 she died.
Penelope Dudley Ward: On 4th August 1914 she was born to William Dudley Ward and Winifred "Freda" May Birkin. On 22nd January 1982 she died.
1935. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 29]. Portrait of Alexandra Caroline Paget [aged 21].
1936. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 30]. "Capriccio". A large wall mural in the dining room of Plas Newydd House, Anglesey.
1937. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 31]. Portrait of Charles Henry Alexander Paget 6th Marquess Anglesey [aged 51].
Charles Henry Alexander Paget 6th Marquess Anglesey: On 14th April 1885 he was born to Alexander Victor Paget. On 3rd August 1912 he and Victoria Marjorie Harriet Manners Marchioness Anglesey were married. She by marriage Marchioness Anglesey. She the daughter of Henry John Brinsley Manners 8th Duke Rutland and Violet Lindsay Duchess Rutland. They were fifth cousins.
Around 1938. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 32]. Portrait of Alexandra Caroline Paget [aged 24].
Around 1938. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 32]. Portrait of Elizabeth Hester Mary Paget [aged 22].
Elizabeth Hester Mary Paget: In 1916 she was born to Charles Henry Alexander Paget 6th Marquess Anglesey and Victoria Marjorie Harriet Manners Marchioness Anglesey. After 1939 Raimund Hofmann and she were married. She the daughter of Charles Henry Alexander Paget 6th Marquess Anglesey and Victoria Marjorie Harriet Manners Marchioness Anglesey. In 1980 she died.
1940. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 34]. Portrait of Viscountess Ridley.
Rosamond Cornelia Gwladys Guest Viscountess Ridley: she was born to Ivor Bertie Guest 1st Baron Wimborne and Cornelia Henrietta Maria Spencer-Churchill Baroness Wimborne. On 8th February 1899 Matthew White Ridley 2nd Viscount Ridley and she were married. On 28th November 1904 Matthew White Ridley 1st Viscount Ridley died. His son Matthew succeeded 2nd Viscount Ridley of Blagdon and Blyth in Northumberland, 2nd Baron Wensleydale of Blagdon and Blyth in Northumberland, 6th Baronet Ridley of Blagdon in Northumberland. She by marriage Viscountess Ridley of Blagdon and Blyth in Northumberland. On 2nd December 1947 she died.
1940. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 34]. Self-portrait.
1940 or 1941. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 34]. "The Master Cook". Portrait of Sergeant Isaacs of the Welsh Guards.
1940. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 34]. Portrait of Cecil Beaton [aged 35].
1940. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 34]. Portrait of Lieutenant Richard Whiskard.
1942. John "Rex" Whistler [aged 36]. Portrait of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil [aged 25] 6th Marquess of Salisbury.
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil 6th Marquess of Salisbury: On 24th October 1916 he was born to Robert Arthur James Gascoyne-Cecil 5th Marquess Salisbury and Elizabeth Vere Cavendish Marchioness Salisbury. On 18th December 1945 he and Marjorie Olein Wyndham-Quin were married. He the son of Robert Arthur James Gascoyne-Cecil 5th Marquess Salisbury and Elizabeth Vere Cavendish Marchioness Salisbury. On 23rd February 1972 Robert Arthur James Gascoyne-Cecil 5th Marquess Salisbury died. His son Robert succeeded 6th Marquess Salisbury in Wiltshire, 12th Earl Salisbury. On 11th July 2003 he died. His son Robert succeeded 7th Marquess Salisbury in Wiltshire, 13th Earl Salisbury.
On 18th July 1944 John "Rex" Whistler [aged 39] was killed in action after he left his tank to go to the aid of other men in his unit. His body now lies in Section III, Row F, Grave 22 of Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery.