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: Gunning
On 27th March 1752 [his father] Robert Gunning 1st Baronet (age 20) and Elizabeth Harrison were married. There were no children from the marriage.
In 1757 [his father] Robert Gunning 1st Baronet (age 25) and [his mother] Anne Sutton were married.
In 1763 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] Robert Gunning 1st Baronet (age 31) and [his mother] Anne Sutton.
On 10th February 1794 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 31) and Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman were married.
On 26th December 1795 [his son] Robert Henry Gunning 3rd Baronet was born to George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 32) and [his wife] Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman.
On 18th December 1796 [his son] George Orlando Gunning was born to George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 33) and [his wife] Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman.
On 17th December 1797 [his son] Reverend Henry Gunning 4th Baronet was born to George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman. He married (1) 27th February 1827 Mary Catherine Cartwright and had issue (2) 23rd October 1879 Frances Rose Spencer.
On 12th May 1799 [his son] Captain Orlando George Gunning-Sutton was born to George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 36) and [his wife] Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman. He married 22nd June 1830 Mary Dorothea Seymour, daughter of Michael Seymour 1st Baronet.
On 21st June 1800 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Wigan which seat he held until 1802.
On 27th October 1800 [his son] Reverend Spencer Greswolde Gunning was born to George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 37) and [his wife] Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman.
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 21st December 1801 [his son] Major John Gunning was born to George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 38) and [his wife] Elizabeth Diana Bridgeman.
In 1802 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 39) was elected MP Hastings which seat he held until 1806.
On 9th March 1812 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 49) was elected MP East Grinstead which seat he held until May 1812.
After May 1812 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 49) was elected MP East Grinstead which seat he held 1818.
On 18th June 1815 the Battle of Waterloo was fought.
Beaumont Hotham 3rd Baron Hotham (age 20) was present.
Charles Augustus Fitzroy (age 19) was wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Edward Irby (age 31) fought.
Henry William Paget 1st Marquess Anglesey (age 47) led the charge of the British heavy cavalry against Comte d'Erlon's column which checked and in part routed the French Army. He was hit by one of the last cannon shots of the day necessitating the amputation of this leg during the Battle of Quatre Bras.
Fletcher Norton 3rd Baron Grantley (age 16) fought and was wounded.
Charles Francis Rowley Lascelles fought.
Edward Kerrison 1st Baronet (age 38) commanded his Regiment.
[his son] George Orlando Gunning (age 18) was killed whilst serving as a Lieutenant in the 10th Hussars.
On 19th June 1815 Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gordon (age 29) died having had his leg amputated the previous day.
Charles Henry Farrington 2nd Baronet (age 20) fought.
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On 22nd September 1816 [his father] Robert Gunning 1st Baronet (age 85) died. His son George (age 53) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gunning of Eltham in Kent.
In 1823 George William Gunning 2nd Baronet (age 60) died. His son Robert (age 27) succeeded 3rd Baronet Gunning of Eltham in Kent.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Gunning
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Gunning
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Gunning
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Gunning of Castlecoote
GrandFather: Robert Gunning
Father: Robert Gunning 1st Baronet
George William Gunning 2nd Baronet
GrandFather: Robert Sutton of Scofton, Nottinghamshire 
Mother: Anne Sutton