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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Paternal Family Tree: Barnard
Around 1697 Bishop William Barnard was born to [his father] John Barnard [aged 29].
On or before 22nd September 1713, the date he was buried at Temple Church, London [Map], [his father] John Barnard [aged 45] died. See Register of Burials at Temple Church, page 34.
In or before 1726 Bishop William Barnard [aged 28] and Anne Stone [aged 26] were married.
In 1726 [his son] Thomas Barnard was born to Bishop William Barnard [aged 29] and [his wife] Anne Stone [aged 27]. He married 20th July 1758 Elizabeth Browne and had issue.
In 1729 Bishop William Barnard [aged 32] was appointed Vicar of St Bride's Church, Fleet Street.
In 1743 Bishop William Barnard [aged 46] was appointed Dean of Rochester.
In 1744 Bishop William Barnard [aged 47] was appointed Bishop of Raphoe.
In 1747 Bishop William Barnard [aged 50] was appointed Bishop of Derry.
On 20th July 1758 [his son] Thomas Barnard [aged 32] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Browne [aged 57] were married. The difference in their ages was 25 years; she, unusually, being older than him.
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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On 10th January 1768 Bishop William Barnard [aged 71] died.
In 1783 [his former wife] Anne Stone [aged 84] died.