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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On 26th April 1859 [her father] William Morris (age 25) and [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 19) were married at St Michael at the Northgate Church, Oxford after which they moved to the Red House.
On 25th March 1862 Mary "May" Morris was born to [her father] William Morris (age 28) and [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 22) at the Red House. She was baptised 30th May 1862 at Christ Church, Bexleyheath.
1871. The census records [her father] William Morris (age 36), [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 31), Elizabeth Burden, sister-in-law, Jane Alicia Morris (age 9), Mary "May" Morris (age 8) and three servants living at 21 Queen Square, Bloomsbury.
1872. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 43). Portrait of Mary "May" Morris (age 9).
1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 44). "La Ghirlandata" aka "The Garlanded Woman" aka "The Lady of the Wreath". Model: Alice aka Alexa Wilding (age 26). Mary "May" Morris (age 10) modelled for the heads in the corners. A woman playing a harp as two angels surround her, enclosed by vivid flowers – including honeysuckle and roses – and luscious green foliage which melds into the green of her dress.
Between 1875 and 1878. Dante Gabriel Rossetti (age 46). The Blessed Damozel. Models centre Alice aka Alexa Wilding (age 28), probably left-hand angel Mary "May" Morris (age 12). The first four verses of his poem The Blessed Damozel are written on the frame. In the collection of the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map].
Around 1887. Frederick Hollyer (age 48). Photograph of Mary "May" Morris (age 24).
On 14th June 1890 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 30) and Mary "May" Morris (age 28) were married at Fulham Register Office. She the daughter of William Morris (age 56) and Jane Morris nee Burden (age 50).
On 3rd October 1896 [her father] William Morris (age 62) died after several months of "general organic degeneration", at Kelmscott House, Hammersmith. He died, Mackail says, 'quietly and without visible suffering' (II, 335)'
On 6th October 1896 [her father] William Morris (deceased) was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map]. His gravestone was designed by his friend Philip Webb. His wife [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 56) and daughter Mary "May" Morris (age 34) attended. The funeral is described by William Fredeman here.
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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In 1898 Henry Halliday Sparling (age 38) and Mary "May" Morris (age 35) were divorced.
In 1906 Wilfrid Scawen Blunt (age 65) and Anne King-Noel 15th Baroness Wentworth (age 68) were legally separated as a consequence of the numerous mistresses he had taken which included Jane Morris nee Burden (age 66), Catherine Walters aka "Skittles", his cousin Mary Wyndham (age 43) and, possibly, her mother Madeline Caroline Frances Eden Campbell.
3rd November 1909. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Mary "May" Morris (age 47).
On 26th January 1914 [her mother] Jane Morris nee Burden (age 74) died at 5 Brock Street, Bath. On 29th January 1914 she was buried at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map] in the same grave as her husband [her father] William Morris. Her body was driven in a 'motor' from Bath to the manor house just before the service. Her coffin was 17th century style and in oak with brass furniture and a simple inscription of her name and date of death, and was carried into the church by six village men. The church was well attended by the villagers as well as familiar names from the world of art and literature including Marie Stillman (age 69) whose wreath was noted in the papers. The hymn 'Now the labourer's task is o'er' was sung and the organist played the Dead March as the coffin was carried out to where William was already buried.
On 9th September 1924 [her former husband] Henry Halliday Sparling (age 64) died.
On 17th October 1938 Mary "May" Morris (age 76) died at Kelmscott Manor, Oxfordshire. She was buried in the same grave as her father and mother at St George's Church, Kelmscott [Map].
Great x 1 Grandfather: Unamed Morris
GrandFather: William Morris
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Stanley
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanley
Father: William Morris
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Shelton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Joseph Shelton
GrandMother: Emma Shelton