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: Morden aka Harbord
After 1605. The current Blickling Hall, Norfolk [Map] was built by Robert Lyminge after 1605 for Henry Hobart 1st Baronet [aged 45]. The estate passed through the Hobart family to John Hobart 2nd Earl Buckinghamshire. It then passed to his daughter [his future wife] Caroline Hobart Baroness Suffield who was married to William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield. The couple did not have any issue. The estate then passed to Caroline's great-nephew William Schomberg Kerr 8th Marquess Lothian; grandson son of her sister Harriet Hobart Viscountess Belmore.
William Schomberg Kerr 8th Marquess Lothian: In 1832 he was born to John Kerr 7th Marquess Lothian and Cecil Chetwynd-Talbot Marchioness Lothian. On 14th November 1841 John Kerr 7th Marquess Lothian died at Blickling Hall, Norfolk [Map]. His son William succeeded 8th Marquess Lothian, 11th Earl Lothian, 9th Earl Lothian. He inherited the Blickling, Norfolk estate and made significant changes. On 12th August 1857 William Schomberg Kerr 8th Marquess Lothian and Constance Harriet Mahonesa Talbot Marchioness Lothian were married. She by marriage Marchioness Lothian. She the daughter of Henry John Chetwynd-Talbot 3rd Earl Talbot 18th Earl of Shrewsbury and Sarah Elizabeth Beresford Countess Talbot Shrewsbury Waterford. He the son of John Kerr 7th Marquess Lothian and Cecil Chetwynd-Talbot Marchioness Lothian. They were first cousins.
In 1760 [his father] Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield [aged 25] and [his mother] Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield were married.
On 21st August 1766 William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield was born to [his father] Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield [aged 32] and [his mother] Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield.
On 17th February 1770 [his grandfather] William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet [aged 74] died. His son [his father] Harbord [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk. [his mother] Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield by marriage Lady Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk.
In 1786 [his father] Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield [aged 51] was created 1st Baron Suffield. [his mother] Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield by marriage Baroness Suffield.
In 1790 William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield [aged 23] was elected MP Ludgershall.
In 1809 [his brother] Edward Harbord 3rd Baron Suffield [aged 27] and [his sister-in-law] Georgiana Venables-Vernon Baroness Suffield [aged 22] were married.
On 4th February 1810 [his father] Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield [aged 76] died. His son William [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Baron Suffield, 3rd Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk. [his future wife] Caroline Hobart Baroness Suffield by marriage Baroness Suffield.
Before 7th February 1821 William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield [aged 54] and Caroline Hobart Baroness Suffield were married. She the daughter of John Hobart 2nd Earl Buckinghamshire and Mary Anne Drury Countess Buckinghamshire. They were half second cousins.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 7th February 1821 William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield [aged 54] was elected MP Plympton Erle.
On 6th April 1821 Robert Stewart 1st Marquess Londonderry [aged 81] died. His son Robert [aged 51] succeeded 2nd Marquess Londonderry. [his sister-in-law] Amelia Hobart Marchioness Londonderry [aged 49] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 1st August 1821 William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield [aged 54] died. His brother Edward [aged 39] succeeded 3rd Baron Suffield, 4th Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk. Georgiana Venables-Vernon Baroness Suffield [aged 35] by marriage Baroness Suffield.
After 1st August 1821. St Andrew's Church, Blickling [Map]. Memorial to William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield [deceased] erected by his widow [his former wife] Caroline Hobart Baroness Suffield.
In 1850 [his former wife] Caroline Hobart Baroness Suffield died.
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Morden
GrandFather: William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cropley
Great x 1 Grandmother: Judith Cropley
Father: Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Britiffe
GrandMother: Elizabeth Britiffe Lady Harbord
William Assheton Harbord 2nd Baron Suffield
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Assheton 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Assheton
GrandFather: Ralph Assheton 3rd Baronet
Mother: Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield