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.
Paternal Family Tree: Badlesmete
On 18th August 1275 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere was born to [his father] Gunselin Badlesmere and [his mother] Joan Fitzbernard.
Around 1282 [his brother-in-law] Robert Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh (age 28) and [his sister] Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh (age 17) were married.
Around 1287 [his nephew] Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh was born to [his brother-in-law] Robert Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh (age 33) and [his sister] Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh (age 22). He was named for his uncle Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 11). He married before 1314 Elizabeth Verdun Baroness Burghesh and had issue.
In 1301 [his father] Gunselin Badlesmere died.
In 1303 Gilbert Umfraville and [his future wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 15) were married. He the son of Gilbert Umfraville 7th Earl Angus (age 58) and Elisabetha Comyn. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 12th November 1303 [his brother-in-law] Robert Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh (age 49) was created 1st Baron Burghesh by writ of summons. [his sister] Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh (age 38) by marriage Baroness Burghesh.
In 1306 [his sister] Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh (age 41) died.
In 1307 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 31) was appointed Governor of Bristol Castle.
After 13th June 1308 [his daughter] Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley was born to Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 32) and [his future wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 21). She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married before 25th November 1316 William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley, son of William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley and Maud Vaux Baroness Ros, and had issue.
On 30th June 1308 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 32) and Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 21) were married.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
After 30th June 1308 [his daughter] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford was born to Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 32) and [his wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 21) at Castle Badlesmere [Map]. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married (1) 25th July 1316 Robert Fitzpayn 3rd Baron Fitzpayn, son of Robert Fitzpayn 2nd Baron Fitzpayn (2) 1336 her third cousin twice removed John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford and had issue.
In 1309 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 33) was created 1st Baron Badlesmere. [his wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 21) by marriage Baroness Badlesmere.
In 1312 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 36) was appointed Constable of Leeds Castle.
In 1313 [his daughter] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton was born to Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 37) and [his wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 25) at Castle Badlesmere [Map]. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married (1) 27th June 1316 her fourth cousin Edmund Mortimer, son of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville, and had issue (2) 1335 her fourth cousin William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton, son of Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland, and had issue.
On 24th June 1314 the Scottish army of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland (age 39) including, James "Black" Douglas (age 28), heavily defeated the English army led by King Edward II of England (age 30) at the Battle of Bannockburn.
Gilbert de Clare 8th Earl Gloucester 7th Earl Hertford (age 23) was killed. Earl Gloucester, Earl Hertford extinct.
John Comyn 4th Lord Baddenoch (age 20), Robert Felton 1st Baron Felton (age 44) and William Vesci were killed.
William Marshal 1st Baron Marshal (age 36) was killed. His son John (age 22) succeeded 2nd Baron Marshal.
Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford (age 40) was killed. His son Roger (age 14) succeeded 2nd Baron de Clifford.
John Lovell 2nd Baron Lovel (age 25) was killed. His son John succeeded 3rd Baron Lovel of Titchmarsh.
Henry Bohun was killed by King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland. He was buried in Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucestershire [Map].
Walter Fauconberg 2nd Baron Fauconberg (age 50) possilby died although his death is also reported as being on 31 Dec 1318.
Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 38), Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 38), Goronwy ap Tudur Hen Tudor, Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan (age 35), Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 39) and Robert Umfraville 8th Earl Angus (age 37) fought.
Pain Tiptoft 1st Baron Tibetot (age 34) was killed. His son [his future son-in-law] John succeeded 2nd Baron Tibetot.
John Montfort 2nd Baron Montfort (age 23) was killed. Peter Montfort 3rd Baron Montfort (age 23) succeeded 3rd Baron Montfort.
Thomas Grey (age 34) undertook a suicidal charge that contributed to the English defeat and subsequently blemished his career.
William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby (age 38) was captured.
Michael Poynings (age 44) was killed.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
On or before 18th October 1314, the day he was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Hambleton [Map], [his son] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere was born to Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 39) and [his wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 27). He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. He married 1328 Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer, daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury.
In 1315 [his daughter] Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot was born to Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 39) and [his wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 27). She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She married in or before 1341 John Tiptoft 2nd Baron Tibetot, son of Pain Tiptoft 1st Baron Tibetot and Agnes Ros Baroness Tibetot, and had issue.
On 2nd January 1315 Piers Gaveston 1st Earl Cornwall was buried at King's Langley Priory, Hertfordshire [Map] some two and a half years after his murder. The ceremony was attended by King Edward II of England (age 30) and his wife Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 20) as well as Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 39), Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 40), Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 14), Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 39), Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 7) and his son Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 29).
On 27th June 1316 [his son-in-law] Edmund Mortimer (age 13) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 3) were married at Kinlet, Cleobury Mortimer [Map]. He the son of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 29) and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 30). They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 25th July 1316 [his son-in-law] Robert Fitzpayn 3rd Baron Fitzpayn (age 16) and [his daughter] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford (age 8) were married.
Before 25th November 1316 [his son-in-law] William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley (age 31) and [his daughter] Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley (age 8) were married. She by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley. The difference in their ages was 23 years.
On 27th May 1320 [his nephew] Bishop Henry Burghesh (age 28) was appointed Bishop of Lincoln due to the influence of his uncle Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 44) despite the chapter having already elected a new bishop.
In 1321 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 45) attended a tournament at Witney, Oxfordshire [Map].
On 13th October 1321 Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 26) was returning from Canterbury, Kent [Map] to London. She sought accommodation at Leeds Castle, Kent [Map] which was under the protection of Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 34) the wife of Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46). Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere refused entry to the Queen killing around six of her retinue when they tried to force entry. King Edward II of England (age 37) commenced the Siege of Leeds Castle. Once King Edward II of England gained possession of the castle, he had the garrison hanged from the battlements. His wife Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere, her five children (Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley (age 13), Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford (age 13), Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 8), Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere (age 6) and Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot (age 6)), and her nephew Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh (age 34), were imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map].
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Annales Paulini. 13th October 1321. In the same year, in the fortnight following the feast of Saint Michael (i.e., around mid-October), when the lady queen [Isabella] wished to travel toward Canterbury, as it was said, she sent her messengers to the castle of Leeds to arrange for lodging during her journey. The response to her messengers was that the queen would not be admitted into the castle. Nevertheless, the queen personally came to the said castle and requested entry. A reply was made to her by the wife of Lord Bartholomew de Badlesmere (age 46), who at that time held the castle, that she dared not open the gates or receive anyone without the permission of her lord, Bartholomew. The queen, taking great offense at this response, lodged nearby at the priory of that place. But while she lingered there for a time, six of her men were killed by those who were defending the castle. When this was heard and reported to the lord king, he was filled with no small fury and made all efforts to lay siege to and capture the said castle.
Eodem anno, in quindena Sanctæ Michaelis, cum domina regina versus Cantuariam ivisse voluisset, ut dicebatur, misit nuntios suos ad castellum de Ledes pro hospitio suo itinerando habendo; responsum fuit eisdem quod dicta regina ibidem non intraret. Hoc non obstante, regina ad dictum castellum personaliter accessit, et introitum ab illis petiit. Facta responsione per uxorem domini Bartholomæi de Badelesmere, cui dictum castellum tunc pertinuit, quod sine licentia domini Bartholomæi domini sui non ausa fuisset portas aperire nec aliquem hospitare; dicta regina spiritum indignationis super hoe concipiens, de prope ad prioratum dicti loci hospitabatur, et, dum moram aliquantulum ibidem fecisset, sex homines dicta reginm interfecti fuerunt ab illis qui dictum castellum custodiebant. Hiis auditis, et domino regi denuntiatis, rex, non minimo furore repletus, ad dictum castellum obsidendum et capiendum totis suis conatibus accessit.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. In the year 1321, around the feast of Saint Michael, when Queen Isabella (age 26) was travelling and came to Leeds Castle in Kent,1 desiring to stay there for the night, her entry was stubbornly denied. The king, considering this rejection of the queen as an insult to himself, ordered the castle to be besieged by the local people, those from Essex, and some Londoners. The castle was held by Bartholomew de Badlesmere (age 46), who had left behind his wife, children, and household retainers fit for its defence while he himself had gone with other barons to plunder the treasures of Hugh [Despenser]. The king pressed the siege fiercely, and as those inside despaired of holding the castle, the earls and barons who had been ravaging Hugh's lands, supported by a large retinue of armed men, arrived at Kingston on the eve [27th October 1321] of the feast of Saints Simon and Jude. They sent envoys to request the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, and the Earl of Pembroke to intercede with the king to lift the siege, promising to surrender the castle to him after the next parliament. However, the king, realizing that the castle's defenders could not hold out much longer and angered by their rebellion, refused to heed the barons' request. When the barons withdrew to other regions, the castle was eventually taken after considerable effort. Six of the strongest men2 found within were immediately hanged, and Bartholomew de Badlesmere's wife and children were sent to the Tower of London to be held in custody.
Anno MCCCXXJ domine regine Isabelle, circa festum sancti Michaelis itinerando venienti ad castrum de Ledes in Cancia et in eo volenti pernoctasse, fuerat ingressus pertinaciter denegatus. Regine repudium rex estimans in sui contemptum redundare, per populares vicinos et illos de Essexia atque nonnullos Londonienses iussit castrum obsideri. Castri firmamentum tenuit Bartholomeus de Baddesmere in quo uxore et filiis relictis cum vernaculis ad eius defensionem aptis, proficissebatur cum aliis baronibus ad demolicionem gazarum Hugonis. Obsidioni acriter insistente rege, inclusis desperantibus de castri tuicione, comites et barones Hugonis vastatores, armatorum suffulti magna comitiva, venerunt Kingestonam in vigilia apostolorum Simonis et Iude, rogantes per nuncios intermissos, dominos Cantuariensem et Londoniensem ac comitem Penbrochiensem, quod obsidionem rex amoveret, promittentes quod post proximum parliamentum castrum regi redditum subderent. Rex vero, perpendens castelanos non posse diu resistere et exasperatus rebellione inclusorum, peticiones baronum noluit exaudire; quibus in partes alias regressis, castro tandem labore non modico expungnato, VJ de forcioribus in ipso repertis indilate suspensis, uxorem Bartholomei de Baddesmere et filios eius misit turri Londoniarum custodiendos.
Note 1. The refusal to admit the queen into Leeds castle took place on the 13th October 1321. On the 16th the king's proclamation and summonses to the men of the southern counties were issued. Rymer's Fœdera, 2.458.
According to the Annales Paulini 298.
Note 2. Annales Paulini 299: The wife and sister of Lord Bartholomew de Badlesmere were committed to custody at Dover Castle. On the next day, being All Souls' Day [2nd of November 1321], the said Walter Culpepper and twelve of his accomplices, all strong and able men, were condemned by judgment and hanged.".
Calendar Fine Rolls 1319-1327. 3rd November 1321. Leeds [Map]. Order to the abbot of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, to cause the jewels and all goods and chattels of Bartholomew de Badelesmere (age 46) within his abbey to be sealed under the seals of him and the bearer of these presents and to be kept, so that he can answer therefor to the king at the king's order. By K.
Order to the mayor and sheriffs of London to take into the king's hand the houses and all tenements of Bartholomew de Badelesmere in the said city with all his goods and chattels found therein by view of Roger de Swynnerton, keeper of the Tower of London, and to keep the same safely until further order. By K.
Before 15th January 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) sacked Hanley Castle, Worcestershire.
Before 15th January 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) sacked Elmley Castle, Worcestershire.
Before 15th January 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) occupied and burned the town at Bridgnorth, Shropshire [Map].
On 1st March 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) reached at Pontefract [Map].
Before 11th March 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) had taken Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire [Map].
On 16th March 1322 the rebel army led by Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 44) attempted to cross the bridge over the River Ure (between Ripon and York) at Boroughbridge Bridge [Map]. Their path was blocked by forces loyal to the King led by Andrew Harclay 1st Earl Carlisle (age 52). Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46), Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 34), John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort (age 57) and John Maltravers 1st Baron Maltravers (age 32) fought for the rebels. Roger Clifford 2nd Baron Clifford (age 22), Nicholas Longford (age 37), Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln, John Mowbray 2nd Baron Mowbray (age 35) were captured.
Warin Lisle (age 51) was hanged after the battle at Pontefract [Map].
Following the battle Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 31) and his wife Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester were both imprisoned. He in Nottingham Castle [Map] and she in Sempringham Priory [Map].
John Clinton 2nd Baron Clinton (age 22), Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke (age 22), William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby (age 46), Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle (age 34), Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar (age 29) and Peter Saltmarsh (age 42) fought for the King.
Adam Everingham 1st Baron Everingham of Laxton (age 43) was captured.
Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 46) was killed. His son John (age 15) succeeded 5th Earl Hereford, 4th Earl Essex.
Piers Grandison 2nd Baron Grandison (age 31) fough for the rebels, and was captured.
Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley (age 55) surrendered before the battle and was imprisoned in Wallingford Castle [Map] for the rest of his life
John Giffard 2nd Baron Giffard Brimpsfield (age 34) was captured.
Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
After 16th March 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) arrested at Stow Park.
On 14th April 1322 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46) was tried by Henry Cobham 1st Baron Cobham (age 62) at Canterbury, Kent [Map].
Sentenced to death Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere was drawn for three miles behind a horse to Blean, Canterbury, where he held property, where he was beheaded. His head was displayed on the Burgh Gate, Canterbury and the rest of his body left hanging at Blean, Canterbury. He was buried at Whitefriars. His nephew Henry Burghesh's (age 30) lands were also seized. These were restored around 1326.
Sempringham Continuation. A.D. 1322, on the tenth day sir Bartholomew of Badlesmere (age 46) was captured in a small wood near Brickden1, and taken by the earl of Mar to Canterbury, and there he was drawn, beheaded, and hanged [14th April 1322]. And sir [his former brother-in-law] Bartholomew de Burghersh, who had married his sister [Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh] was also drawn and hanged there1.
Note 1. Possibly near the Bishop of Lincoln's Palace, Buckden [Map].
Note 2. The Chronicler here is confused. Robert Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh, who had married Bartholomew's sister Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh, died in 1306?
On 22nd October 1333 [his former wife] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (age 46) died.
[his father] Gunselin Badlesmere and [his mother] Joan Fitzbernard were married.
Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [1]
King Richard III of England [1]
Queen Anne Boleyn of England [4]
Catherine Parr Queen Consort England [1]
Queen Catherine Howard of England [2]
Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland [3]
George Wharton [15]
President George Washington [2]
Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [68]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [272]
Queen Consort Camilla Shand [85]