William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Paternal Family Tree: Blakiston
Around 1702 Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet was born to [his father] George Blakiston [aged 26].
In 1754 Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 52] was elected Sheriff of London.
In 1759 Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 57] was knighted at Kensington Palace.
On 8th April 1760 Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 58] and Annabella Bayley Lady Blakiston were married.
In 1761 Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 59] was elected Lord Mayor of London.
In 1761 [his son] Matthew Blakiston 2nd Baronet was born to Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 59] and [his wife] Annabella Bayley Lady Blakiston.
On 22nd April 1763 two new Baronets were created...
Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 61] was created 1st Baronet Blakiston of the City of London. [his wife] Annabella Bayley Lady Blakiston by marriage Lady Blakiston of the City of London.
John Fleming 1st Baronet [aged 33] was created 1st Baronet Fleming of Brompton Park in Middlesex. Jane Coleman Baroness Harewood [aged 32] by marriage Lady Fleming of Brompton Park in Middlesex.
On 14th July 1774 Matthew Blakiston 1st Baronet [aged 72] died at Jermyn Street. His son Matthew [aged 13] succeeded 2nd Baronet Blakiston of the City of London.
On 9th June 1783 [his former wife] Annabella Bayley Lady Blakiston died.