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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Chief Baron of the Exchequer is in Exchequer.
In 1400 John Cockayne (age 40) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
In 1483 Humphrey Starkey of Wouldham in Kent (age 44) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer serving for less than a year.
On 29th October 1486 William Hody (age 45) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
In 1522 John Fitzjames (age 57) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
On 24th January 1526 Richard Broke was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
In 1545 Roger Cholmeley (age 50) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer which position he held until 1552.
On 22nd July 1577 Robert Bell (age 38) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Edmund Bell (age 15) inherited the manor of South Acre, Norfolk.
In January 1593 William Peryam of Little Fulford (age 59) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
In 1625 John Walter (age 59) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
On 7th November 1650 Matthew Hale (age 41) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
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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In 1676 William Montagu (age 58) was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer which office he held until 1686.
Edmund Denny was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
John Cobham was appointed Chief Baron of the Exchequer.