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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Etal Castle, Northumberland is in Etal, Northumberland [Map], Castles in Northumberland.
Etal Castle, Northumberland [Map] is a ruined medieval fortification in the village of Etal, Northumberland, England. It was built around 1341 by Robert Manners, and comprised a residential tower, a gatehouse and a corner tower, protected by a curtain wall. The castle was involved both in local feuding and the border wars between England and Scotland. There was a battle between the rival Manners and Heron families outside the walls in 1428, and in 1513 it was briefly captured by King James IV of Scotland during his invasion of England.
Robert Manners: In 1298 he was born. On 28th September 1355 Robert Manners died.
On 20th January 1428 William Heron [aged 30] was killed during a fight with John Manners [aged 53] outside of Etal Castle, Northumberland [Map].
Chronicle of Scotland by Robert Lindesay Volume 1 Book 20 Chapter 18. [September 1513] Hou the king passit to the feild of floudane. Hou the king cuist doun werk [Map]1 and norem [Map]2 and fuird [Map]3 and atill [Map]4. Hou the king mellit with the lady furd. Hou the men of weiris wictuallis wer spendit. Hou the lady of fuird askit licence at the king to wisie hir freindis. Hou the lady fuird schowit the Erle of Surrie all the king of Scotlandis secreittis.
Note 1. Wark Castle, Northumberland [Map].
Note 2. Norham Castle [Map].
Note 3. Ford Castle [Map].
Note 4. Etal Castle, Northumberland [Map].
In 1908 James Joicey 1st Baron Joicey [aged 61] bought Etal Castle, Northumberland [Map] and its estates.