Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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Paternal Family Tree: Montagu
After 1633 and before 24th December 1638 [his father] Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 16) and [his mother] Anne Winwood (age 18) were married.
On 24th December 1638 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu was born to [his father] Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 22) and [his mother] Anne Winwood (age 23).
In or after 1639 [his mother] Anne Winwood (deceased) died.
On 15th June 1644 [his grandfather] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 81) died at the Savoy Hospital. His son [his father] Edward (age 27) succeeded 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 6th June 1660. My letters tell me, that Mr. Calamy1 had preached before the King in a surplice (this I heard afterwards to be false); that my Lord, Gen. Monk (age 51), and three more Lords, are made Commissioners for the Treasury2; that my Lord had some great place conferred on him, and they say Master of the Wardrobe3; that the two Dukes [Duke of York and Duke of Gloucester.] do haunt the Park much, and that they were at a play, Madam Epicene,-["Epicene, or the Silent Woman", a comedy, by Ben Jonson.] the other day; that Sir. Ant. Cooper (age 38), Mr. Hollis (age 60), and Mr. Annesly (age 45), & late President of the Council of State, are made Privy Councillors to the King. At night very busy sending Mr. Donne away to London, and wrote to my father for a coat to be made me against I come to London, which I think will not be long. At night Mr. Edward Montagu came on board and staid long up with my Lord. I to bed and about one in the morning,
Note 1. Edmund Calamy, D.D., the celebrated Nonconformist divine, born February, 1600, appointed Chaplain to Charles II., 1660. He refused the bishopric of Lichfield which was offered to him. Died October 29th, 1666.
Note 2. The names of the Commissioners were Sir Edward Hyde (age 51), afterwards Earl of Clarendon, General Monk, Thomas, Earl of Southampton (age 53), John, Lord Robartes (age 54), Thomas, Lord Colepeper (age 60), Sir Edward Montagu, with Sir Edward Nicholas (age 67) and Sir William Morrice (age 57) as principal Secretaries of State. The patents are dated June 19th, 1660.
Note 3. The duty of the Master of the Wardrobe was to provide "proper furniture for coronations, marriages, and funerals" of the sovereign and royal family, "cloaths of state, beds, hangings, and other necessaries for the houses of foreign ambassadors, cloaths of state for Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Prince of Wales, and ambassadors abroad", as also to provide robes for Ministers of State, Knights of the Garter, &c. The last Master of the Wardrobe was Ralph, Duke of Montague (age 21), who died 1709.
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After 18th June 1660 Jane Needham (age 15) was courted by many. She, allegedly, had only two lovers: Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 21) and Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester (age 18).
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 18th January 1662. Thence to the Wardrobe, and there hearing it would be late before they went to dinner, I went and spent some time in Paul's Churchyard among some books, and then returned thither, and there dined with my Lady and Sir H. Wright (age 25) and his lady, all glad of yesterday's mistake, and after dinner to the office, and then home and wrote letters by the post to my father, and by and by comes Mr. Moore to give me an account how [his brother] Mr. Montagu (age 27) was gone away of a sudden with the fleet, in such haste that he hath left behind some servants, and many things of consequence; and among others, my Lord's commission for Embassador. Whereupon he and I took coach, and to White Hall to my Lord's lodgings, to have spoke with Mr. Ralph Montagu (age 23), his brother (and here we staid talking with Sarah and the old man); but by and by hearing that he was in Covent Garden [Map], we went thither: and at my [his sister] Lady Harvy's (age 23), his sister, I spoke with him, and he tells me that the commission is not left behind. And so I went thence by the same coach (setting down Mr. Moore) home, and after having wrote a letter to my Lord at 12 o'clock at night by post I went to bed.
On 23rd December 1662 Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland (age 18) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess of Northumberland. She the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester (age 55) and Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton. He the son of Algernon Percy 10th Earl of Northumberland (age 60) and Elizabeth Howard Countess Northumberland (age 39). They were third cousins.
On 30th December 1669 Christopher Monck 2nd Duke Albemarle (age 16) and [his future wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 15) were married at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 39) and [his future mother-in-law] Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 39). He the son of George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 61) and Anne Clarges Duchess Albermarle (age 50).
On 3rd January 1670 George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 61) died. His son Christopher (age 16) succeeded 2nd Duke Albemarle, 2nd Earl Torrington in Devon. [his future wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 15) by marriage Duchess Albemarle.
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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In March 1672 Antonio Verrio (age 36) travelled to England on the recommendation of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 33).
In 1673 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 34) and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 27) were married. She the wealthy daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester who had died six years previously. She the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester and Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton. They were third cousin once removed.
John Evelyn's Diary. 11th May 1676. I dined with Mr. Charleton, and went to see Mr. Montague's (age 37) new palace, near Bloomsbury, built by Mr. Hooke (age 40), of our Society, after the French manner.
On 27th March 1679 Henry Cavendish (age 20) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 12) were married. She being the sole heiress of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland she brought an enormous fortune to the marriage. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 33). He the son of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 48) and [his future mother-in-law] Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 48).
On 15th November 1681 Thomas "Tom of Ten Thousand" Thynne (age 33) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 14) were married. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 35).
On 30th May 1682 Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset (age 19) and [his step-daughter] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 15) were married. His first marriage, her third having been widowed twice by the age of seventeen. She by marriage Duchess Somerset. Being the sole heiress of her father Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland she brought considerable wealth to the marriage. She the daughter of Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland and [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 36). They were fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 29th October 1682 Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden (age 71) died. His son Edward (age 41) succeeded 4th Viscount Campden, 4th Baron Hicks of Ilmington in Warwickshire. [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Gainsborough (age 36) by marriage Viscountess Campden. He was buried at Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map].
A huge monument in black and white marble, with a tall base on which stand obelisks, on balls capped by two black urns and a large open pediment. Within, are the Viscount and his fourth wife Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden (age 42) in effigy and various low reliefs, depicting his previous wives and nineteen children, in Roman dress, completed by Grinling Gibbons (age 34).
Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden: In 1640 she was born to Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey and Martha Cockayne Countess Holderness. On 6th July 1655 Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden and she were married. She by marriage Viscountess Campden. The difference in their ages was 29 years. She the daughter of Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey and Martha Cockayne Countess Holderness. They were second cousin twice removed. In 1683 Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden died.
On 1st December 1682 Edward Noel 1st Earl Gainsborough (age 41) was created 1st Earl Gainsborough. [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Gainsborough (age 36) by marriage Countess Gainsborough.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th October 1683. Visited the Duchess of Grafton (age 15), not yet brought to bed, and dining with my Lord Chamberlain (her father) (age 65), went with them to see Montague House, a palace lately built by Lord Montague (age 44), who had married the most beautiful [his future wife] Countess of Northumberland (age 29). It is a stately and ample palace. Signor Verrio's (age 47) fresco paintings, especially the funeral pile of Dido, on the staircase, the labors of Hercules, fight with the Centaurs, his effeminacy with Dejanira, and Apotheosis or reception among the gods, on the walls and roof of the great room above,-I think exceeds anything he has yet done, both for design, coloring, and exuberance of invention, comparable to the greatest of the old masters, or what they so celebrate at Rome. In the rest of the chamber are some excellent paintings of Holbein, and other masters. The garden is large, and in good air, but the fronts of the house not answerable to the inside. The court at entry, and wings for offices seem too near the street, and that so very narrow and meanly built, that the corridor is not in proportion to the rest, to hide the court from being overlooked by neighbours; all which might have been prevented, had they placed the house further into the ground, of which there was enough to spare. But on the whole it is a fine palace, built after the French pavilion-way, by Mr. Hooke, the Curator of the Royal Society. There were with us my Lady Scroope, the great wit, and Monsieur Chardine (age 39), the celebrated traveler.
On 10th January 1684 [his father] Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 67) died. His son Ralph (age 45) succeeded 3rd Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire.
In 1690 [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 44) died.
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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In 1690 [his son] John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu was born to Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 51) and [his wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 44). He married 1705 his third cousin Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu, daughter of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough and Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough, and had issue.
On 8th September 1692 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 53) and Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 38) were married at Newcastle House. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne who had died the year before and the widow of Christopher Monck 2nd Duke Albemarle. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 62).
In 1694 John Holles 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 31) was created 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne. [his sister-in-law] Margaret Cavendish Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 32) by marriage Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne.
John Evelyn's Diary. 11th February 1694. Now was the great trial of the appeal of Lord Bath (age 65) and Lord Montagu (age 55) before the Lords, for the estate of the late Duke of Albemarle.
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th June 1696. The famous trial between my Lord Bath (age 67) and Lord Montague (age 57) for an estate of £11,000 a year, left by the Duke of Albemarle, wherein on several trials had been spent £20,000 between them. The Earl of Bath (age 34) was cast on evident forgery.
In 1705 [his son] John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 15) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 15) were married. She the daughter of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough (age 54) and Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough (age 44). He the son of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 66) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland. They were third cousins.
In 1705 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 66) was created 1st Duke Montagu. [his wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 50) by marriage Duchess Montagu.
On 9th March 1709 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 70) died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son John (age 19) succeeded 2nd Duke Montagu, 4th Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. [his daughter-in-law] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 19) by marriage Duchess Montagu.
Before 11th September 1734 [his former wife] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 80) died. On 11th September 1734 she was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Grammont. Jermyn, without paying the least attention to his ill-humour, pursued his point, continued talking to Lady Shrewsbury, and did not leave her until the repast was ended.
He went to bed, proud of this triumph, and was waked next morning by a challenge: he took, for his second, Giles Rawlings, a man of intrigue, and a deep player. Howard took Dillon, who was dexterous and brave, much of a gentleman, and, unfortunately, an intimate friend to Rawlings.
In this duel fortune did not side with the votaries of love: poor Rawlings was left stone dead; and Jermyn, having received three wounds, was carried to his uncle's, with very little signs of life.
While the report of this event engaged the courtiers according to their several interests, the Chevalier de Grammont was informed by Jones, his friend, his confidant, and his rival, that there was another gentleman very attentive to Mrs. Middleton. This was Montagu, no very dangerous rival on account of his person, but very much to be feared for his assiduity, the acuteness of his wit, and for some other talents, which are of importance, when a man is once permitted to display them.
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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[his daughter] Anne Montagu was born to Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland. She married Alexander Popham.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ladde Montagu 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dudley 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Roper 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall
Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen Roper
GrandFather: Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Sidney 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Sidney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Brandon 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Pakenham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
Father: Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Knightley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
GrandMother: Frances Cotton 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Shirley 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Shirley 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Willoughby 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Shirley 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Shirley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Giffard 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Giffard
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Giffard
Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Ralph Winwood
Mother: Anne Winwood
Great x 1 Grandfather: Nicholas Ball of Totnes in Devon
GrandMother: Elizabeth Ball