Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Paternal Family Tree: Spencer
Maternal Family Tree: Jeanne Sabran
In 1615 [his father] William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer (age 23) and [his mother] Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Spencer Wormleighton. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton (age 41) and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton (age 43). They were fourth cousins.
Before 2nd February 1629 Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot was born to [his father] William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer (age 38) and [his mother] Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton (age 30) at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map].
On 2nd February 1629 Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot was baptised.
Between 1634 and 1643 [his brother-in-law] John Craven 1st Baron Craven (age 23) and [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 17) were married.
On 19th December 1636 [his father] William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer (age 45) died. His son [his brother] Henry (age 16) succeeded 3rd Baron Spencer Wormleighton.
On 20th July 1639, some sources say 11th July 1639, [his brother] Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland (age 18) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 21) were married at Penhurst Rother. She by marriage Baroness Spencer Wormleighton. Her long-term suitor, she was the 'Sacharissa' of his poems, Edmund Waller (age 33) wrote a letter to the bride's sister (age 12) on the occasion of the wedding. She the daughter of Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester (age 43) and Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester (age 41). They were third cousins.
Madam,
In this common joy at Penshurst, I know none to whom complaints may come less unseasonably than to your ladyship, the loss of a bedfellow being almost equal to that of a mistress; and therefore you ought at least to pardon, if you consent not to the imprecations of, the deserted, which just Heaven no doubt will hear. May my lady Dorothy, if we may yet call her so, suffer as much, and have the like passion for this young lord, whom she has preferred to the rest of mankind, as others have had for her; and may his love, before the year go about, make her taste of the first curse imposed upon womankind, the pains of becoming a mother. May her first born be none of her own sex, nor so like her but that he may resemble her lord as much as herself. May she that always affected silence and retirement have the house filled with the noise and number of her children, and hereafter of her grandchildren; and then may she arrive at that great curse, so much declined by fair ladies, old age; may she live to be very old and yet seem young; be told so by her glass, and have no aches to inform her of the truth; and when she shall appear to be mortal, may her lord not mourn for her, but go hand in hand with her to that place where we are told there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage, that being there divorced we may all have an equal interest in her again! My revenge being immortal, I wish all this may befall her posterity to the world's end and afterwards! To you, madam, I wish all good things, and that this loss may in good time be happily supplied with a more constant bedfellow of the other sex. Madam, I humbly kiss your hands, and beg pardon for this trouble, from
Your ladyship's
most humble servant,
E. Waller.
In 1643 [his brother] Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland (age 22) was created 1st Earl of Sunderland. [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 25) by marriage Countess of Sunderland.
On 21st March 1643 [his brother-in-law] John Craven 1st Baron Craven (age 32) was created 1st Baron Craven of Ryton in Shropshire. [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 26) by marriage Baroness Craven of Ryton in Shropshire.
On 20th September 1643 [his brother] Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland (age 22) died. His son [his nephew] Robert (age 2) succeeded 2nd Earl of Sunderland, 4th Baron Spencer Wormleighton.
On 7th July 1648 [his brother-in-law] Henry Howard (age 28) and [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 31) were married. He the son of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Berkshire (age 60) and Elizabeth Cecil Countess Berkshire (age 52). They were fourth cousins.
On 30th August 1655 [his brother-in-law] Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury (age 34) and [his sister] Margaret Spencer Countess Shaftesbury (age 30) were married.
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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John Evelyn's Diary. 28th May 1656. The [his uncle] Earl of Southampton (age 49) (since Treasurer) and Mr. Spencer (age 27), brother to the [his brother] Earl of Sunderland, came to see my garden.
In or before 1658 [his brother-in-law] Robert Lucy (age 35) and [his sister] Margaret Spencer Baroness Arundel Wardour (age 30) were married. They were second cousin once removed.
In or before 1661 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Arundell 4th Baron Arundel (age 27) and [his sister] Margaret Spencer Baroness Arundel Wardour (age 33) were married. She by marriage Baroness Arundel of Wardour in Wiltshire. They were second cousin once removed.
In or after 1663 [his brother-in-law] William Crofts 1st Baron Crofts (age 52) and [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 46) were married. They were fourth cousins.
On 16th July 1667 [his mother] Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton (age 68) died.
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th July 1669. Having two days before had notice that the University intended me the honor of Doctorship, I was this morning attended by the beadles belonging to the Law, who conducted me to the Theater, where I found the Duke of Ormond (age 58) (now Chancellor of the University) with the Earl of Chesterfield (age 35) and Mr. Spencer (age 40) (brother to the late Earl of Sunderland). Thence, we marched to the Convocation House, a convocation having been called on purpose; here, being all of us robed in the porch, in scarlet with caps and hoods, we were led in by the Professor of Laws, and presented respectively by name, with a short eulogy, to the Vice-Chancellor, who sat in the chair, with all the Doctors and Heads of Houses and masters about the room, which was exceedingly full. Then, began the Public Orator his speech, directed chiefly to the Duke of Ormond, the Chancellor; but in which I had my compliment, in course. This ended, we were called up, and created Doctors according to the form, and seated by the Vice-Chancellor among the Doctors, on his right hand; then, the Vice-Chancellor made a short speech, and so, saluting our brother Doctors, the pageantry concluded, and the convocation was dissolved. So formal a creation of honorary Doctors had seldom been seen, that a convocation should be called on purpose, and speeches made by the Orator; but they could do no less, their Chancellor being to receive, or rather do them, this honor. I should have been made Doctor with the rest at the public Act, but their expectation of their Chancellor made them defer it. I was then led with my brother Doctors to an extraordinary entertainment at Doctor Mewes's, head of St John's College, Oxford University, and, after abundance of feasting and compliments, having visited the Vice-Chancellor and other Doctors, and given them thanks for the honor done me, I went toward home the 16th, and got as far as Windsor, Berkshire [Map], and so to my house the next day.
In 1672 [his brother-in-law] Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury (age 50) was created 1st Earl Shaftesbury. [his sister] Margaret Spencer Countess Shaftesbury (age 47) by marriage Countess Shaftesbury.
On 11th August 1672 [his sister] Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Craven (age 55) died.
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1675. I went with Mrs. Howard (age 49) and her two daughters toward Northampton Assizes, about a trial at law, in which I was concerned for them as a trustee. We lay this night at Henley-on-the-Thames [Map], at our attorney, Mr. Stephens's, who entertained us very handsomely. Next day, dining at Shotover, Oxfordshire, at Sir Timothy Tyrill's (age 58), a sweet place, we lay at Oxford, where it was the time of the Act. Mr. Robert Spencer (age 46), uncle to the [his nephew] Earl of Sunderland (age 33), and my old acquaintance in France, entertained us at his apartment in Christ Church with exceeding generosity.
Before 11th January 1676 [his brother-in-law] Henry Moore 1st Earl Drogheda (age 54) and [his sister] Alice Spencer Countess Drogheda (age 50) were married. She by marriage Countess Drogheda.
On 10th October 1685 Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot (age 56) was created 1st Viscount Teviot.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 1693 [his sister] Margaret Spencer Countess Shaftesbury (age 68) died.
On 20th May 1694 Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot (age 65) committed suicide. Viscount Teviot extinct.
John Evelyn's Diary. 30th May 1694. This week we had news of my Lord Tiviot (deceased) having cut his own throat, through what discontent not yet said. He had been, not many years past, my colleague in the commission of the Privy Seal, in old acquaintance, very soberly and religiously inclined. Lord, what are we without thy continual grace!
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 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 19 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: John Spencer 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Spencer
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Graunt
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Spencer
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Knightley 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Susan Knightley
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Spencer
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Kitson
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath
GrandFather: Robert Spencer 1st Baron Spencer
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Catlyn
Father: William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Markham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Filiol of Woodlands and Filiols Hall
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Filiol
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Willoughby 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Grey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Wotton of Boughton Malherbe 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset
GrandMother: Margaret Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Lyttelton
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lyttelton
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lyttelton of Frankley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Talbot 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Paston 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lyttelton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Pakington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Pakington of Hampton Lovett
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Washbourne
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bridget Packington
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Dacres of Mayfield
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Dacres
Robert Spencer 1st Viscount Teviot 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Writhe 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Wriothesley
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Drayton of London
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cheney
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cheney of Chesham Blois in Buckinghamshire
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Cheney Countess Southampton
GrandFather: Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Neville 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Gage
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Gage
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Guildford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Browne Countess Southampton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Radclyffe 9th Baron Fitzwalter 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Whetehill
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Radclyffe 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Stanley Countess Sussex 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Derby 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Vernon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Talbot 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Vernon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Ludlow 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Ludlow 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Vernon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Devereux 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bourchier Baroness Ferrers Chartley 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Devereux 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Hastings 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England