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: Seymour
1551 Arrest of the Duke of Somerset and his Supporters
1552 Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters
John Seymour was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
In 1527 John Seymour was born to [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 27) and [his mother] Catherine Filliol (age 20) at Wulf aka Wolf Hall, Wiltshire [Map]. Paternity was questioned by Edward after it was alleged that Catherine had had an affair with her father-in-law John Seymour 1474-1536. He and his brother were excluded in 1540 from their paternal and maternal inheritances and all their claims to their father's dignities being postponed to his children by his second wife.
In 1527 [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 27) and [his mother] Catherine Filliol (age 20) were married.
Around 1535 [his mother] Catherine Filliol (age 28) died.
In April 1536 [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 36) and [his step-mother] Anne Stanhope Duchess Somerset (age 39) were married.
On 5th June 1536 [his father] Edward Seymour (age 36) was created 1st Viscount Beauchamp. See Letter 1074 and Letter 1075.
In 1540 John Seymour (age 13) was disinherited.
After 16th February 1547. The date uncertain but likely to be after the funeral of Henry VIII (deceased) King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 9) made a number of new appointments although given King Edward VI of England and Ireland was only nine years old at the time, the titles were, in effect, bestowed by [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 47).
William Parr 1st Marquess Northampton (age 35) was created 1st Marquess Northampton.
[his uncle] Thomas Seymour 1st Baron Seymour (age 39) was created 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley and appointed Lord High Admiral.
New Garter Knights:
318th Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 30).
319th Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby (age 37).
320th Thomas Seymour 1st Baron Seymour.
321st William Paget 1st Baron Paget Beaudasert (age 41).
John Carey (age 56) and Henry Huberthorne were knighted by King Edward VI of England and Ireland.
On 10th September 1547 an English army commanded by [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 47) defeated a Scottish army commanded by James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 31) and Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus (age 58) at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh at Musselburgh.
The English army included John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 43), Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 47), Miles Partridge and Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth (age 22). John Thynne (age 32) and Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos (age 25) were knighted.
William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 26) accompanied Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset.
Edward Shelley of Worminghurst Park (age 44) was killed.
John Forbes 6th Lord Forbes (age 82), Christopher Coningsby (age 31) and Edward Clere were killed.
John Thynne was knighted after the battle.
The Scottish army included John Gordon 11th Earl Sutherland (age 22) who commanded the Rearguard and Gilbert Kennedy 3rd Earl Cassilis (age 32). John Stewart, Robert Douglas (age 41), John Livingston, Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield and Hugh Montgomerie were killed. John Hay 4th Lord Hay was captured but soon released.
Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming (age 53) was killed. His son James (age 13) succeeded 4th Lord Fleming. Barbara Hamilton Lady Fleming by marriage Lord Fleming.
Robert Graham Master of Montrose and James Gordon of Lochinvar were killed.
On 3rd June 1550 [his brother-in-law] John Dudley 2nd Earl Warwick (age 23) and [his half-sister] Anne Seymour Countess of Warwick (age 12) were married at Sheen Palace [Map]. She the daughter of [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 50) and [his step-mother] Anne Stanhope Duchess Somerset (age 53). He the son of John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland (age 46) and Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland (age 41). They were fifth cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 16th October 1551. The xvj day of October was had to the Towre the [his step-mother] duches of Somersett (age 54) and Sir Raff a Vane and Sir John Thyn (age 36), [as also] Sir Thomas Holcroft (age 46), Sir Michael Stanhope (age 44), Mr. Hammond, Mr. John Seimour (age 24), Mr. Walley, Mr. Nudigate, Mr. Banister, Mr. Brayne, Mr. Crane and his wife, Sir Myles Parterege, and Sir Thomas Arundell (age 49) and Lady (age 36).
On 22nd January 1552 [his father] Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 52) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. Duke Somerset, Earl Hertford, Viscount Beauchamp forfeit. His great-grandson William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset was restored to the titles in 1660.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 19th December 1552. The xix day of Desember was bered master John Semer (age 25), the eldest sune unto the [his father] duke of Somersett latt dyssesyd, and bered at the hospetall of Savoy, and ther was a dolle.
Note. Funeral of master John Seymour. His will, dated Dec. 7, 1552, and proved April 26, 1553, is recorded in the prerogative court of Canterbury, and briefly quoted in Collins's Peerage. He died unmarried, making his whole brother sir Edward Seymour, the ancestor of the present duke of Somerset, his heir.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 19th December 1552 John Seymour (age 25) died at Tower of London [Map].
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Seymour 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Seymour 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Esturney
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Seymour 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Williams
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Seymour 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coker
GrandFather: John Seymour 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Darrell
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Darrell
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Darrell of Littlecote
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Darrell 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Stourton 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stourton 1st Baron Stourton 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Stourtron 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wentworth 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Wentworth
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dronsfield
Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Despencer 2nd Baron Despencer 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Despencer 3rd Baroness Despencer, Baroness Ros 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tiptoft Baroness Despencer 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 4th Baron Despencer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Clifford Baroness Despencer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Margery Wentworth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Saye 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Saye 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Boteler Baroness Ferrers Wem 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Saye 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Saye Baroness Despencer 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cheney
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lawrence Cheney
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cockayne 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cockayne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Grey 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
John Seymour 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Filiol
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Filiol
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Filiol
GrandFather: William Filiol of Woodlands and Filiols Hall
Mother: Catherine Filliol