Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'

This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.

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Biography of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey 1729-1807

Paternal Family Tree: Grey

In or before 1722 [his father] Henry Grey 1st Baronet [aged 30] and [his mother] Hannah Wood were married.

On or before 23rd October 1729 Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey was born to [his father] Henry Grey 1st Baronet [aged 37] and [his mother] Hannah Wood at Howick Hall, Northumberland [Map]. He was baptised on 23rd October 1729.

Around May 1749 [his father] Henry Grey 1st Baronet [aged 57] died. His son [his brother] Henry [aged 27] succeeded 2nd Baronet Grey of Howick in Northumberland.

In 1762 Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 32] and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 18] were married.

On 13th March 1764 [his son] Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 34] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 20]. He married 18th November 1794 Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby Countess Grey, daughter of William Ponsonby 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork and Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam, and had issue.

In 1766 [his son] Henry George Grey was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 36] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 22].

On 10th October 1767 [his son] George Grey 1st Baronet was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 37] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 23] at Fallodon Hall, Northumberland [Map]. He married 18th June 1795 Mary Whitbread Lady Grey and had issue.

In 1777 [his son] Lieutenant-Colonel William Grey was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 47] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 33]. He married 7th May 1805 Maria Shirreff and had issue.

On 25th May 1782 [his son] Bishop Edward Grey was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 52] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 38]. He married (1) 21st March 1809 Charlotte Elizabeth Croft (2) 9th September 1824 Elizabeth Adair (3) 24th July 1837 Eliza Innes and had issue.

In 1785 [his daughter] Hannah Althea Grey was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 55] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 41]. She married 30th October 1809 Edward Ellice.

Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.

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On 26th December 1787 [his son-in-law] Samuel Charles Whitbread [aged 23] and Elizabeth Grey were married. See Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. She the daughter of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 58] and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 43].

On 20th February 1792 [his granddaughter] Eliza Courtenay was born illegitimately to [his son] Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey [aged 27] and Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 34] at Aix en Provence whilst she, Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire was married to William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 44]. The Duchess was forced to relinquish the child shortly after her birth, to be raised by Charles Grey's parents, Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 62] and [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 48]. The surname Courtenay was derived from her great-uncle, her maternal grandmother's brother, William Poyntz [aged 57].

In 1793 HMS Boyne sailed for the West Indies carrying Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 63].

On 18th November 1794 Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey [aged 30] and Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby Countess Grey [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of William Ponsonby 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork [aged 50] and Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam [aged 45]. He the son of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 65] and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 50].

On 18th June 1795 George Grey 1st Baronet [aged 27] and Mary Whitbread Lady Grey [aged 25] were married. Her brother Samuel [aged 31] had married her husband George's sister Elizabeth six years earlier. See Marriage of Two Sets of Siblings. He the son of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 65] and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 51].

The London Gazette 15374. Whitehall, June 13, 1801.

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, unto the Right Honorable General Sir Charles Grey [aged 71], KB aud the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Grey, of Howick, in the County of Northumberland.

On 7th May 1805 Lieutenant-Colonel William Grey [aged 28] and Maria Shirreff [aged 23] were married. He the son of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 75] and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 61].

The London Gazette 15905. Whitehall, April 1, 1806.

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of an Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Ireland to the Right Honorable Charles Viscount Newark [aged 68], and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile, and Title as Earl Manvers. [Anne Mills Countess Manvers [aged 59] by marriage Countess Manvers]

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of an Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the Right Honorable Horatio Baron Walpole [aged 82], and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Earl of Orford, in the County of Suffolk.

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Ireland to the Right Honorable Charles Lord Grey [aged 76], of Howick; Knight of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and General of His Majesty's Forces, and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Names, Stile, and Titles of Viscount Howick, in the County of Northumberland, and Earl Grey. [Note. [his wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 62] by marriage Countess Grey.]

On 14th November 1807 Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey [aged 78] died. His son Charles [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Earl Grey, 2nd Viscount Grey of Howick in Northumberland, 2nd Baron Grey of Howick in Northumberland. Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby Countess Grey [aged 31] by marriage Countess Grey.

In 1822 [his former wife] Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey [aged 78] died.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Grey was born to Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey and Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey. She married 26th December 1787 Samuel Charles Whitbread and had issue.

Royal Ancestors of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey 1729-1807

Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey 1729-1807
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [1]

Ancestors of Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey 1729-1807

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Grey of Morpeth and Howick 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Grey 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Grey 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Grey 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: John Grey 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Father: Henry Grey 1st Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandMother: Margaret Person

Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Thomas Wood of Fallodon, Northumberland

Mother: Hannah Wood