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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Baron Cromwell is in Baronies of England Alphabetically.
There have been four creations of Baron Cromwell:
1st. 28th December 1375. Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell. Extant. 30th August 1497.
2nd. 1461. Humphrey Bourchier 1st Baron Cromwell. Extinct. 14th April 1471. 14th April 1471 Battle of Barnet.
3rd. 8th July 1536. Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex. Forfeit. 28th July 1540. Execution of Thomas Cromwell.
4th. 18th December 1540. Gregory Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham. Extinct. 26th November 1687.
Baron Cromwell is also in Baronies of England Chronologically, Abeyant Baronies of England, Succeeded Baronesses of England, Extant Baronies of England.
Summary
28th December 1375. Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell (age 34) created.
27th August 1398. Son Ralph Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell (age 30) succeeded.
2nd May 1417. Son Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell (age 14) succeeded.
4th January 1456. Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell abeyant.
10th March 1490. Niece Maud Stanhope 4th Baroness Cromwell Baroness Willoughby of Eresby abeyance terminated.
30th August 1497. Maud Stanhope 4th Baroness Cromwell Baroness Willoughby of Eresby abeyant.
16th July 1923. Second Cousin Thirteen times Removed Robert Godfrey Wolseley Bewicke-Copley 5th Baron Cromwell (age 30) abeyance terminated.
21st October 1966. Son David Godfrey Bewicke-Copley 6th Baron Cromwell (age 37) succeeded.
18th August 1982. Son Godfrey John Bewicke-Copley 7th Baron Cromwell (age 22) succeeded.
On 28th December 1375 Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell (age 34) was created 1st Baron Cromwell.
On 27th August 1398 Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell (age 57) died at Horncastle [Map]. His son Ralph (age 30) succeeded 2nd Baron Cromwell.
On 2nd May 1417 Ralph Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell (age 49) died at Tattershall [Map]. His son Ralph (age 14) succeeded 3rd Baron Cromwell.
Before 1433 Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell (age 29) and Margaret Deincourt Baroness Cromwell (age 27) were married. She by marriage Baroness Cromwell.
On 4th January 1456 Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell (age 53) died at South Wingfield, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at the Collegiate Church, Tattershall. Baron Cromwell abeyant between his two nieces, daughters of his sister Maud Cromwell: Maud Stanhope 4th Baroness Cromwell Baroness Willoughby of Eresby and Joan Stanhope.
On 10th March 1490 Joan Stanhope died. Her sister Maud abeyance terminated 4th Baroness Cromwell.
On 30th August 1497 Maud Stanhope 4th Baroness Cromwell Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died. She was buried at Collegiate Church, Tattershall. Baron Cromwell abeyant between the daughters of the Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell: Elizabeth Cromwell and Avice Cromwell Baroness Bardolf and their heirs.
Hansard. Debated on 19th October 1920. Petition of Selina Frances Bewicke-Copley (age 64), wife of Robert Calverley Alington Bewicke-Copley (age 65) (formerly Bewicke), of Sprotborough Hall, Doncaster, and Coulby Manor, Marton, both in the County of York, to His Majesty, praying His Majesty to determine in favour of the said Selina Frances Bewicke-Copley the abeyance now existing in the Barony of Cromwell, together with the rights, privileges, pre-eminences, immunities, and advantages, and the place and precedence due and belonging thereto, to hold the same to her and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and to be begotten for ever; together with His Majesty's reference thereof to this House, and the report of the Attorney-General thereon thereunto annexed: Presented (by command); read, and referred to the Committee for Privileges to consider and report.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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Hansard. Debated 9th March 1922. Report made from the Committee for Privileges—
That the Barony of Cromwell is an ancient Barony in fee.
That it is proved by the Writ of Summons 28th December, in the 49th year of King Edward III. and by other evidence adduced by the Petitioner that Ralph de Cromwell, Lord Cromwell was summoned to Parliament and sat in Parliament as a Peer of the Realm.
That the Barony of Cromwell fell into abeyance on the death without issue of Ralph, third Lord Cromwell about the year 1455 between his nieces and co-heirs Maud, widow of Robert, Lord Willoughby de Eresby and Joan, wife of Sir Humphrey Bourchier
That after the death of Joan without issue 10th March, 1190, Maud succeeded in her own right as Baroness Cromwell and died without issue 30th August, 1497.
That the Barony of Cromwell then fell into abeyance between co-heirs, being the heirs respectively of the daughters of Ralph, first Lord Cromwell.
That William FitzWilliam of Sprotborough in the County of York was one of the aforesaid co-heirs being the sole heir of Maud, wife of Sir William FitzWilliam of Sprotborough and a daughter of Ralph first Lord Cromwell.
That James Duke of Abercorn, Dame Selina Frances Bewicke-Copley of Sprotborough (age 65) (the Petitioner), Charles John Peebles Chaplin, Mrs. Amabel Jemima Somers-Cocks, and the heir or heirs, if any, of Dame Elizabeth Savile, wife of Sir Henry Savile of Thornhill and Tankersley, are now the co-heirs of William FitzWilliam of Sprotborough, and are co-heirs of the Barony of Cromwell, now in abeyance.
That the Barony of Cromwell is now in abeyance between the co-heirs aforesaid and the other co-heirs, if any, of Ralph first Lord Cromwell, and is now at His Majesty's disposal.
Read; and agreed to; and resolved and adjudged accordingly; and Resolution and Judgment to be laid before His Majesty by the Lords with White Staves.
Ordered, That all deeds, documents and papers produced on behalf of the Claimant by her agents, be delivered to the said agents.
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On 16th July 1923 Robert Godfrey Wolseley Bewicke-Copley 5th Baron Cromwell (age 30) abeyance terminated 5th Baron Cromwell. He was a second cousin 13 times removed of the previous holder of the title Maud Stanhope 4th Baroness Cromwell Baroness Willoughby of Eresby. He was descended from Ralph Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell as follows:
Ralph Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell
William Fitzwilliam of Sprotborough
Joseph Moyle aka Copley 1st Baronet
Charles Wager Watson 2nd Baronet
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On 21st October 1966 Robert Godfrey Wolseley Bewicke-Copley 5th Baron Cromwell (age 73) died. His son David (age 37) succeeded 6th Baron Cromwell.
On 18th August 1982 David Godfrey Bewicke-Copley 6th Baron Cromwell (age 53) died. His son Godfrey (age 22) succeeded 7th Baron Cromwell.
Baron Cromwell is also in Baronies of England Chronologically, Extinct Baronies of England.
Summary
1461. Humphrey Bourchier 1st Baron Cromwell (age 30) created.
14th April 1471. Humphrey Bourchier 1st Baron Cromwell extinct. See 14th April 1471 Battle of Barnet.
In 1461 Humphrey Bourchier 1st Baron Cromwell (age 30) was created 1st Baron Cromwell. There is some debate as to whether this was a new creation, or the previous creation being called out of abeyance in right of his wife Joan Stanhope daughter of Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell.
On 14th April 1471 Edward IV (age 28) commanded at the Battle of Barnet supported by his brothers George (age 21) and Richard (age 18), John Babington (age 48), Wiliam Hastings (age 40) (commanded), Ralph Hastings, William Norreys (age 30), William Parr (age 37), John Savage (age 49), William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier (age 41), Thomas St Leger (age 31), John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet (age 45), Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 40), John Scott (age 48) and Thomas Strickland.
The Yorkists William Blount (age 29), Humphrey Bourchier (age 36), Henry Stafford (age 46) and Thomas Parr were killed.
Humphrey Bourchier 1st Baron Cromwell (age 40), was killed. Baron Cromwell extinct.
The Lancastrians...
Warwick the Kingmaker (age 42) was killed. Earl Salisbury, Baron Montagu, Baron Montagu and Baron Monthermer forfeit on the assumption he was attainted either before or after his death; the date of his attainder is unknown. If not attainted the titles may have been abeyant between his two daughters Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence (age 19) and Anne Neville Queen Consort England (age 14).
John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu (age 40) was killed. Marquess Montagu, Baron Montagu forfeit; unclear as to when he was attainted. He was buried at Bisham Abbey [Map].
William Tyrrell was killed.
William Fiennes 2nd Baron Saye and Sele (age 43) was killed. His son Henry (age 25) succeeded 3rd Baron Saye and Sele. Anne Harcourt Baroness Saye and Sele by marriage Baroness Saye and Sele.
Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter (age 40) commanded the left flank, was badly wounded and left for dead, Henry Stafford and John Paston (age 27) were wounded, John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford (age 28) commanded, and John Paston (age 29) and William Beaumont 2nd Viscount Beaumont (age 33) fought.
Robert Harleston (age 36) was killed.
Thomas Hen Salusbury (age 62) was killed.
Thomas Tresham (age 51) escaped but was subsequently captured and executed on the 6th of May 1471.
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Baron Cromwell of Wimbledon in Surrey is also in Baronies of England Chronologically, Forfeit Baronies of England.
Summary
8th July 1536. Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex (age 51) created.
28th July 1540. Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex forfeit. See Execution of Thomas Cromwell.
On 8th July 1536 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex (age 51) was created 1st Baron Cromwell of Wimbledon in Surrey.
On 28th July 1540 Thomas Cromwell (age 55) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. Earl Essex, Baron Cromwell of Wimbledon in Surrey forfeit. He was buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map].
Baron Cromwell Oakham is also in Baronies of England Chronologically, Extinct Baronies of England.
Summary
18th December 1540. Gregory Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 20) created.
4th July 1551. Son Henry Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 13) succeeded. See 1551 Sweating Sickness Outbreak.
1592. Son Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 32) succeeded.
27th April 1607. Son Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass (age 12) succeeded.
1653. Son Wingfield Cromwell 2nd Earl Ardglass (age 28) succeeded.
3rd October 1668. Son Thomas Cromwell 3rd Earl Ardglass (age 14) succeeded.
11th April 1682. Uncle Vere Essex Cromwell 4th Earl Ardglass (age 56) succeeded.
26th November 1687. Vere Essex Cromwell 4th Earl Ardglass extinct.
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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On 18th December 1540 Gregory Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 20) was created 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham. Elizabeth Seymour Baroness Cromwell Oakham (age 22) by marriage Baroness Cromwell Oakham.
On 4th July 1551 Gregory Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 31) died of sweating sickness. His son Henry (age 13) succeeded 2nd Baron Cromwell Oakham.
Before 1560 Henry Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 21) and Mary Paulett Baroness Cromwell Oakham were married. She by marriage Baroness Cromwell Oakham. She the daughter of John Paulet 2nd Marquess Winchester (age 49) and Elizabeth Willoughby. They were sixth cousins.
In 1592 Henry Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 54) died. His son Edward (age 32) succeeded 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham. Francis Rugge Baroness Cromwell Oakham by marriage Baroness Cromwell Oakham.
On 27th April 1607 Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham (age 47) died. His son Thomas (age 12) succeeded 4th Baron Cromwell Oakham. Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass by marriage Baroness Cromwell Oakham.
In 1653 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass (age 58) died. His son Wingfield (age 28) succeeded 2nd Earl Ardglass, 5th Baron Cromwell Oakham. Mary Russell Countess Ardglass (age 19) by marriage Countess Ardglass.
On 3rd October 1668 Wingfield Cromwell 2nd Earl Ardglass (age 44) died. His son Thomas (age 14) succeeded 3rd Earl Ardglass, 6th Baron Cromwell Oakham.
On 11th April 1682 Thomas Cromwell 3rd Earl Ardglass (age 28) died. His uncle Vere (age 56) succeeded 4th Earl Ardglass, 7th Baron Cromwell Oakham.
On 26th November 1687 Vere Essex Cromwell 4th Earl Ardglass (age 62) died. Earl Ardglass, Baron Cromwell Oakham extinct.