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: Blackett
On 10th July 1645 [his step-father] William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 24) and [his mother] Elizabeth Kirkley were married at Hamsterley, County Durham [Map].
On 14th June 1657 William Blackett 1st Baronet was born to [his step-father] William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 36) and [his mother] Elizabeth Kirkley.
On 12th December 1673 [his step-father] William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 52) was created 1st Baronet Blackett of Newcastle in Northumberland.
On 7th April 1674 [his mother] Elizabeth Kirkley died. She was buried at Cathedral Church St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne [Map].
After 7th April 1674 [his step-father] William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 52) and Lady Margaret Cock were married. She by marriage Lady Blackett of Newcastle in Northumberland.
On 16th May 1680 [his step-father] William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 59) died. His son [his brother] Edward (age 30) succeeded 2nd Baronet Blackett of Newcastle in Northumberland. Mary Yorke Lady Blackett (age 23) by marriage Lady Blackett of Newcastle in Northumberland.
In 1685 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 27) was elected MP Newcastle upon Tyne.
On 22nd January 1685 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 27) and Julia Conyers were married at Cathedral Church St Nicholas, Newcastle upon Tyne [Map].
On 23rd January 1685 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 27) was created 1st Baronet Blackett of Newcastle upon Tyne in Northumberland.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 18th May 1686 [his daughter] Julia Blacket Lady Calverley was born to William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 28) and [his wife] Julia Conyers. She married 7th January 1707 Walter Calverly 1st Baronet and had issue.
In 1688 John Fenwick 3rd Baronet (age 43) sold most of the family estates and Wallington Hall to William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 30) for £4000 and an annuity of £2000 a year. The annuity was to be paid for his lifetime and that of his wife, Mary. Blackett was happy with the deal as he discovered lead on the land and he became rich.
In 1688 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 30) was appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland.
In 1688 the estates of Wallington Hall, Northumberland [Map] were sold by John Fenwick 3rd Baronet (age 43) to William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 30) for £4000 and an annuity of £2000 a year. The annuity was to be paid for his lifetime and that of his wife, Mary (age 35). Blackett was happy with the deal as he discovered lead on the land and became wealthy.
Around 1690 [his son] William Blackett 2nd Baronet was born to William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 32) and [his wife] Julia Conyers. He married 1725 Barbara Villiers Lady Blackett, daughter of William Villiers 2nd Earl Jersey.
On 3rd February 1691 [his daughter] Isabella Blackett Countess Buchan was born to William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 33) and [his wife] Julia Conyers. She married 15th September 1743 David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan.
In 1695 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Newcastle upon Tyne.
In 1703 [his daughter] Diana Blackett Lady Wentworth was born to William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 45) and [his wife] Julia Conyers. She married 1720 William Wentworth 4th Baronet, son of Matthew wentworth 3rd Baronet, and had issue.
Before December 1705 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 48) was elected MP Newcastle upon Tyne.
In December 1705 William Blackett 1st Baronet (age 48) died. His son William (age 15) succeeded 2nd Baronet Blackett of Newcastle upon Tyne in Northumberland and inherited Wallington Hall, Northumberland [Map].
Around 1715 Enoch "The Younger" Seeman (age 21) (attributed). Portrait of William Blackett 1st Baronet.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 16th August 1722 [his former wife] Julia Conyers died.
[his daughter] Frances Blackett was born to William Blackett 1st Baronet and Julia Conyers. She married Robert Bruce, son of Charles Bruce 4th Earl Elgin 3rd Earl Ailesbury and Anne Savile.
Father: William Blackett 1st Baronet 
GrandFather: Michael Kirkley Merchant of Newcastle
Mother: Elizabeth Kirkley