Text this colour is a link for Members only. Support us by becoming a Member for only £3 a month by joining our 'Buy Me A Coffee page'; Membership gives you access to all content and removes ads.
Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
20 Dec is in December.
Events on the 20th December
On 20th December 910 Alfonso "Great" III King Asturias (age 62) died. His son García (age 39) succeeded I King Leon. His son Fruela (age 35) succeeded II King Asturias. His son Ordoño (age 37) succeeded II King Galicia.
In December 1135 King Stephen I England (age 41) was crowned King of England by Archibishop of Canterbury William de Corbeil (age 65).
The date of his coronation described differently by many Chroniclers:
Florence of Worcester: "on the thirteenth of the calends of January" i.e. 20th December 1135.
Orderic Vitalis: "on the eighteenth of the calends of January" i.e. 15th December 1135; the editor provided a note suggesting this date is incorrect and the correct date is the 26th December 1135.
The Annals of Winchester: "on the 22nd day after the death of his uncle, on the 1st of January." We should note that if King Henry died on the 1st December this date would refer to the 22nd or 23rd of December.
Roger of Wendover's Flowers of History: "on the day of the proto-martyr St. Stephen" i.e. 26th December 1135.
Chronicle of Richard Baker: "and so upon St. Stephen's day, in Anno 1135" i.e. 26th December 1135.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: "on midwinter day" i.e. probably 20th or 21st of December but possibly the 25th.
Matthew Paris Chronica Majora: "on the Feast of Saint Stephen" i.e. 26th December 1135.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
. 20th December 1135 ... and Stephen (age 41), his sister's son, being elected to the kingdom of England, was consecrated king, by William (age 65), archbishop of Canterbury, on the thirteenth of the calends of January [20th December], at London, where he held his court, at Christmas, surrounded by the nobles of England, with great courtesy and royal pomp.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 20th December 1135, possibly 21st December. He [Stephen de Blois (age 41)] came to London, and the people of London received him, and sent after the Archbishop William Curboil (age 65), and hallowed him to king on midwinter day.
On 20th December 1292 King Edward I (age 53) stayed at Horton Castle, Northumberland [Map] for one night when returning from adjudicating the claim to the Scottish throne. The landholder, Sir Guiscard de Charron, had used the occasion of Edwards's visit to ask for the necessary permission to fortify his manor house, that Edward was currently a guest in. The license to crenelate was granted one week later in Newcastle.
Diary of Edward VI. 20th December 1550. Ther was apointed a band of horsmen divided amongest the nobles1, an 100 to the duke of Somerset. 50 to my lord marcus. ... to th'erle of Warwic. ... North(ampton). Lord prevy seal. Lord ma(rquess) Dorset (age 33). Mr. Herbert. Erl of Wilt(shire). Mr. treasaurour. Lord Wentworth. (To the lord treasaurier, erased.) Lord admiral. Lord Paget. Mr. Sadelier. Mr. Darcy.
Note 1. On the 5th June following the council issued "a warraunt to (blank) to paie vC. li. to the duke of Somersett, the lord threasorer, the lord great master, the lord privie seale, the lord great chamberlayn, the lord wardein, and the master of t'horse,for the intertayne- ment of c. men at armes, due for one quarter's waieges at Midsomer next. And cc. li. a piece to th'erle of Huntington, th'erle of Rutlande, the lord admyrall, the lord chamberlayn, the lord Cobham, and the lord Pagett, for their quarter's entertaynement ended at Midsomer next. Whiche amounteth in th'ole to the some of vM1. li." So that the total cost of this "band of horsemen" was 20,000l. per annum.
Wriothesley's Chronicle. 20th December 1551. The 20 of December, beinge Sonday, in the afternone Doctor Dunstall (age 77), Bishop of Durham, which had lyen longe at his place by Coldharber, in Thames Streete, was had to the Tower of London [Map].
Chronicle of Greyfriars. 20th December 1551. Item the xxth day of December was sorne [sworn] the byshoppe of Ely lorde [chancellor of Engla]nd.
Item that same day was the muster of the dewke of Somersettes servanttes before [the king at] Totylle [Map] also.
Item the same day was comytted unto the tower [Map] the byshopp [of Dur]hame Cudberte Tunstalle (age 77).
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th December 1556. [The xx day of December the Queen (age 40) rode in her chariot through the park from] Santt James unto the galere, and so [took] her barge unto Westmynster, and landyd [at the palace,] and so in-to the abbay, and ther her grace hard [even song], and my lord cardenalle (age 56) and my lord Montyguw (age 28), [and my] lord Darse of Essex (age 59) dyd bere the sword a-for [her grace], and my lade Montyguw (age 18) bare up the quen ['s train].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th December 1559. The xx day of Desember a-for non, was sant Thomas evyn, my lord of Canturbere (age 55) whent to Bow chyrche and ther wher v nuw byshopes mad.1559 Consecration of new Bishops
Note. P. 220. New bishops made. A tabular list of the new bishops will be found in Strype, Annals, i. 157.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th December 1561. The xx day of Desember my lade the contes of Bayth (deceased) ded at here plase at Nuwhyngtun, late the wyff of ser Thomas Kyttsun and to ser Recherd Longe and wyff to the yerle of Bayth latt dissessyd, and she had a vj baners-rolles and a gret baner of armes and a x dosen of skochyons and vj of sylke.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th December 1562. The xx day of Desember was bered my lord Gr[ey of Wilton] (deceased) knyght of the Garter, sum-tyme capten of Gynes, and bered [at] (blank) with a herse garnyssed with velvett and blake and armes, [with four] haroldes of armes, master Garter (age 52) prensepalle, and master Norrey kyng at armes (age 64), [Chest] ur harold (age 27) and Ruge-dragon, and ther was a xx clark [es syng]yng all the way, furst ij porters in blake with blake sta[ffs and] in gownes, and then the standard borne, and then mo .... the grett baner of ys armes, and then the harold [bearing the] helmett and crest, and a-nodur the targett and the sword, and a-nodur [the coat armour;] then master Garter, and then the corse, with a ryche palle; and .... of ys men bayryng ytt; and iiij grett banar-rolles of m[arriages;] after the cheyffe mornars and after mony mornars, and th[ere did prea]che master (blank); and ther was iij dosen of bokeram skochyons of armes, and viij dosen of penselles to garnys the herse, and ... grett skochyons of pastyd paper, and the chyrche hangyd with blake and armes, and a viij dosen of skochyons of armes; and after a[ll done at] the berehyng all they when(t) bake agayne unto master de[an's] plase to dener, for ther was a nobull dener as [has] bene sene for venesun and wyld fulle.
Note. P. 297. Funeral of William lord Grey of Wilton, K.G. The circumstancial account of this ceremonial, drawn up by one of the attendant heralds, is appended to the "Commentarie of the Services" of this nobleman, in the volume edited for the Camden Society by Sir Philip Grey Egerton, Bart. The church (left blank in p. 298,) was Cheshunt, co. Hertford; the preacher was Michael Reniger; and in line 17, for "master de[an's] plase," read "master De[nny's] plase."
On 20th December 1583 Edward Arden (age 50) was hanged, drawn and quartered at Smithfield [Map] for having plotted against Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 50) with his son-in-law John Somerville (deceased) who had implicated him during torture. He was tried by Christopher Wray (age 59).
On 19th December 1583 John Somerville committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell.
The heads of John Somerville and Edward Arden were set on London Bridge [Map] next to the head of the Gerald Fitzgerald 14th Earl Desmond (deceased).
Annales by William Camden 1583. [20th December 1583] 20. On the other side some Papists bookes against the Queene and Princes excommunicate drew some which had the Popes power in great reverence for their obedience, and amongst others they so distracted one Somervill (deceased), a gentilman, that in haste he undertooke a journey privily to the Queenes Court, and breathing nothing but blood against the Protestants, he furiously set upon one or two by the way with his sword drawne. Being apprehended, hee professed that hee would have killed the Queene with his owne hands. Whereupon he, and by his appeachment Edward Ardern (age 50) his wives father, a man of very ancient gentility in the County of Warwicke, Ardern's wife, their daughter Somervill, and Hall a Priest, as accessaries, were arrraigned and condemned. After three daies Somervill was found strangled in prison; Arderne, being condemned, was the next day after hanged and quartered; the woman and the Priest were spared. This woefull end of this gentleman, who was drawne in by the cunning of the Priest and cast by his own testimony, was commonly imputed to Leicesters (age 51) malice. For certaine it is that hee had incurred Leicesters heavie displeasure, and not without cause, against whom hee had rashly opposed himselfe in all hee could, had reproached him as an adulterer, and detracted him as a new upstart.
On 20th December 1661 Bishop Nicholas Monck (deceased) was buried at the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th December 1661. The Bishop of Gloucester (age 70) preached at the Abbey [Map] at the funeral of the Bishop of Hereford (deceased), brother to the Duke of Albemarle (age 53). It was a decent solemnity. There was a silver miter, with episcopal robes, borne by the herald before the hearse, which was followed by the Duke his brother, and all the bishops, with divers noblemen.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th December 1662. So to the office, and thence with Mr. Coventry (age 34) in his coach to St. James's, with great content and pride to see him treat me so friendly; and dined with him, and so to White Hall together; where we met upon the Tangier Commission, and discoursed many things thereon; but little will be done before my Lord Rutherford comes there, as to the fortification or Mole. That done, my Lord Sandwich (age 37) and I walked together a good while in the Matted Gallery, he acquainting me with his late enquiries into the Wardrobe business to his content; and tells me how things stand. And that the first year was worth about £3000 to him, and the next about as much; so that at this day, if he were paid, it will be worth about £7000 to him. But it contents me above all things to see him trust me as his confidant: so I bid him good night, he being to go into the country, to keep his Christmas, on Monday next. So by coach home and to my office, being post night, and then home and to bed.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th December 1664. To London, our last sitting, taking order for our personal visiting our several districts. I dined at Captain Cocke's (our treasurer), with that most ingenious gentleman, Matthew Wren (age 35), son to the Bishop of Ely (age 79), and Mr. Joseph Williamson, since Secretary of State.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th December 1665. So I away home, and was there sat up for to be spoken with my young Mrs. Daniel, to pray me to speake for her husband to be a Lieutenant. I had the opportunity here of kissing her again and again, and did answer that I would be very willing to do him any kindnesse, and so parted, and I to bed, exceedingly pleased in all my matters of money this month or two, it having pleased God to bless me with several opportunities of good sums, and that I have them in effect all very well paid, or in my power to have. But two things trouble me; one, the sicknesse is increased above 80 this weeke (though in my owne parish not one has died, though six the last weeke); the other, most of all, which is, that I have so complexed an account for these last two months for variety of layings out upon Tangier [Map], occasions and variety of gettings that I have not made even with myself now these 3 or 4 months, which do trouble me mightily, finding that I shall hardly ever come to understand them thoroughly again, as I used to do my accounts when I was at home.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th December 1665. Up, and was trimmed, but not time enough to save my Lord Bruncker's (age 45) coach or Sir J. Minnes's (age 66), and so was fain to walk to Lambeth, Surrey [Map] on foot, but it was a very fine frosty walke, and great pleasure in it, but troublesome getting over the River for ice. I to the Duke of Albemarle (age 57), whither my brethren were all come, but I was not too late. There we sat in discourse upon our Navy business an houre, and thence in my Lord Bruncker's coach alone, he walking before (while I staid awhile talking with Sir G. Downing (age 40) about the Act, in which he is horrid troublesome) to the Old Exchange [Map].
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th December 1665. After dinner I to the Exchange [Map] to see whether my pretty seamstress be come again or no, and I find she is, so I to her, saluted her over her counter in the open Exchange [Map] above, and mightily joyed to see her, poor pretty woman! I must confess I think her a great beauty. After laying out a little money there for two pair of thread stockings, cost 8s., I to Lombard Street [Map] to see some business to-night there at the goldsmith's, among others paying in £1258 to Viner (age 34) for my Lord Sandwich's (age 40) use upon Cocke's (age 48) account.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th December 1667. At noon home to dinner, where my poor wife in bed in mighty pain, her left cheek so swelled as that we feared it would break, and so were fain to send for Mr. Hollier (age 58), who come, and seems doubtful of the defluxions of humours that may spoil her face, if not timely cured. He laid a poultice to it and other directions, and so away, and I to the office, where on the same accounts very late, and did come pretty near a settlement.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th December 1668. I dined with my Lord Cornbury, at Clarendon House, now bravely furnished, especially with the pictures of most of our ancient and modern wits, poets, philosophers, famous and learned Englishmen; which collection of the Chancellor's I much commended, and gave his Lordship a catalogue of more to be added.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th December 1677. Carried to my Lord Treasurer (age 45) an account of the Earl of Bristol's Library, at Wimbledon, which my Lord thought of purchasing, till I acquainted him that it was a very broken collection, consisting much in books of judicial astrology, romances, and trifles.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th December 1685. Dr Turner (age 40), brother to ye Bp. of Ely (age 48), and sometime Tutor to my son, preach'd at Whitehall [Map] on 8 Mark 38, concerning ye submission of Christians to their persecutors, in were some passages indiscreete enough, considering ye time, and the rage of the inhumane French tyrant against the poore Protestants.
On 20th December 1690 Captain James Campbell (age 30) and Mary Wharton (age 13) marriage annulled by Act of Parliament following his trial at the Old Bailey at which he and John Johnston 3rd Baronet (age 42) were found guilty of her abduction.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th December 1690. Dr. Hough (age 39), President of Magdalen College, Oxford, who was displaced with several of the Fellows for not taking the oath imposed by King James, now made a Bishop. Most of this month cold and frost. One Johnson (age 42), a Knight, was executed at Tyburn [Map] for being an accomplice with Campbell (age 30), brother to Lord Argyle (age 32), in stealing a young heiress (age 13).1
Note 1. This execution occurred on the 23rd December 1690.
On 20th December 1766 Lionel Copley (age 57) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Sprotbrough [Map].
Lionel Copley: On 5th November 1709 he was born to Lionel Copley and Maria Wilson aka Burrill.
On 20th December 1813 Phillis Buston (age 22) died in childbirth. The child suvived fifteen days.
After 20th December 1820. St Swithun's Church, Leadenham [Map]. Monument to William Reeve of Leadenham (deceased) and Millicent Mary King (age 65).
William Reeve of Leadenham: Around 1751 he was born to William Reeve of Melton Mowbray. Before 28th July 1783 he and Millicent Mary King were married. On 20th December 1820 he died.
Millicent Mary King: Around 1755 she was born to John King of Ashby in Lincolnshire and Millicent Mary Unknown. On 23rd May 1836 she died.
St Michael's Church, Chenies [Map]. Memorial to father and son Edmund and Hervey Morris who died on 20th December 1826 and 28th December 1822 respectively.
The Spectator Volume 1890 December 20th. 20th December 1890. Joseph Edgar Boehm 1st Baronet (deceased)
Since the premature death of Frank Holl, English art has certainly sustained no loss comparable in importance to that which it has just suffered in the death of Sir Edgar Boehm. The great sculptor was, it is true, a somewhat older man than the great painter, for he was born in 1834; but he was still in the full force of his genius when a death, awful in its suddenness, though blessed in its painlessness, struck him down in the midst of his works, and almost with his chisel in hia hand. Like most great artists, his works were of unequal merit, and in some branches he was probably surpassed by contemporaries. Good judges often thought his taste too realistic, and would have preferred a finer, a more classical, and a more idealising touch ; and his busts, admirable as they undoubtedly are, perhaps scarcely rise to the level of his statues. But no sculptor since the death of Foley has filled so large a place in English art, and very few sculptors in England have left works at once so various and so great. The noble statues of Carlyle and Darwin, so impressive in their massive dignity and intellectual power; the masculine, martial, and commanding figure of Lord Lawrence opposite the Athenaeum ; the exquisite delineation of the small, delicate, subtle, thoughtful features of Dean Stanley, on the monument in the Abbey ; and the not less exquisite grace and pathos of the tomb of Lady Waterford near Curraghmore,—are only a few of the many examples which might be given of his success in dealing with many different types. As an animal sculptor, and especially as a sculptor of horses, he ranks extremely high. An ardent Sportsman, passionately devoted to riding, he knew every motion and every attitude of his horse; and his wonderfully quick and accurate eye was trained by the most careful observation. He sometimes day after day stopped his horse when a troop of cavalry were passing, fixing his eye on each occasion on a single motion of the horses till he had thoroughly mastered it. Among the bronzes in the Sportsman's Exhibition at the Grosvenor Gallery, there were many admirable examples of his horses, but perhaps his greatest works in this department are those in the possession of the Duke of Westminster. A noble, life-sized horse, intended for a member of the Rothschild family, was one of the last works on which he was engaged, and only a few days before his death he expressed the keen pleasure which it was giving him.
No artist ever loved art more truly for its own sake, and was more free from sordid motives. A memorable instance of the spirit in which he worked was shown in his conduct about his first statue of Lord Lawrence. It had been duly accepted and placed ; but Boehm became more and more conscious that it was not worthy of the subject, and he accordingly undertook, at his own expense, to remove it from its pedestal, and to replace it by another statue. Like Mr. Watts, he had an especial pleasure in connecting his art with the men of highest intellect in his day. His statue of Carlyle was preeminently a labour of love, for a warm, deep, and cordial friendship subsisted between that great writer and himself. In the regular course of his work, it fell to his lot to make statues or busts of many of the most eminent Englishmen of his generation ; and in spite of an almost overwhelming press of work, he asked many others to sit to him for their busts, and he formed in this manner a collection which is likely to prove of great historic interest.
It was inevitable that the great number of public commissions that were given to a sculptor who was a Hungarian by birth and an Austrian by education should have excited some discontent, but there was certainly nothing in Boehm himself that could provoke any hostile feeling. It may be truly said of him that no artist was more entirely free from any tinge of artistic jealousy, more generous in his judgments of rivals, more modest in estimating his own works, more ready to recognise rising and struggling talent, more completely unspoiled by popularity and success. His nature was at once extremely sensitive and intensely amiable. His dislike, indeed, to anything approaching a quarrel sometimes degenerated into weakness, and in dealing with committees and public officials, he more than once allowed his judgment to be overborne in a manner which a stronger man would not have permitted. A conspicuous example of this was in the design of the new coinage. It is well known that in this matter he was completely overruled, and the result was a lamentable failure, which no one recognised more clearly than himself. The Wellington monument, though it has conspicuous merits, is not among his great successes ; but neither the site of the monument, nor the standing horse, nor the dress and attitude of the chief figure, were in accordance with his original suggestion.
It is impossible to close this short sketch without a few words on those personal characteristics which made Sir Edgar Boehm one of the most attractive men of his time. He had travelled much and read much, and was thoroughly conversant with art in many forms and in many ages and countries. His gift of conversation was very great, and with a keen love for England and English life, he combined that warm Southern nature which gives a pliancy and a charm very seldom found in our cold northern climate. He was at once eminently sympathetic and transparently genuine, and his total freedom from every kind of pretension and affectation made him a great favourite in every society in which he moved. One of the few topics on which his mind was a complete blank was politics. He scarcely ever opened a newspaper, and he knew nothing and cared nothing on the subject; but in mingled political society, where of late party-feeling ran very high, this fact often made him peculiarly acceptable. During the first Midlothian Campaign, be was the guest of Lord Rosebery, who had commissioned him to make a bust of Mr. Gladstone. He was duly taken to one of the great orations, but he afterwards frankly confessed that his chief interest in the performance was watching how, as the orator grew warmer and warmer, and as his head swayed to and fro in his excitement, the famous collar gradually drooped, till at last the neck was fully disclosed, which he at once proceeded to sketch. A remarkable illustration of his social position is to be found in the fact that he was a member, and a most popular member, of three small dining-clubs, which are probably the most select and exclusive in England,—Dr. Johnson's famous club, the Literary Society, and Grillon's. Only a few days before his death, he might have been seen at Grillon's side by side with Mr. Gladstone ; and it was interesting to watch the sympathy between the artist who never touched on politics, and the old statesman who has so rare a power of throwing of for a time all political cares. Boehm acknowledged to a friend that during the last weeks he had been considerably overworked, and some disquieting symptoms had lately appeared ; but few persons can have imagined that that bright, buoyant, and most attractive nature was doomed to so speedy and so lamentable an eclipse.
Become a Member via our 'Buy Me a Coffee' page to read complete text.
On 20th December 1902 Prince George Windsor 1st Duke Kent was born to King George V of the United Kingdom (age 37) and Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England (age 35) at York Cottage, Sandringham Estate. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.84%.
Births on the 20th December
On 20th December 1532 John Günther Schwarzburg 1st Count of Schwarzburg Sondershausen was born.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 20th December 1549 John Petre 1st Baron Petre was born to William Petre (age 44) and Anne Browne (age 54).
On 20th December 1553 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet was born to John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 28).
On 20th December 1572 Edward Russell 3rd Earl Bedford was born to Francis Russell (age 18) and Juliana or Eleanor Unknown.
On 20th December 1652 Bishop Samuel Bradford was born to William Bradford of London in St. Anne's, Blackfriars.
On 20th December 1765 Frederick St John was born to Frederick St John 3rd Viscount St John 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke (age 32) and Diana Spencer Viscountess St John and Bolingbroke (age 31).
On 20th December 1781 Edward Knatchbull 9th Baronet was born to Edward Knatchbull 8th Baronet (age 21).
On 20th December 1792 Trevor Wheler 9th Baronet was born to Trevor Wheler 8th Baronet (age 29) and Harriet Beresford (age 21).
On 20th December 1800 Charles Wood 1st Viscount Halifax was born to Francis Lindley Wood 2nd Baronet (age 29) and Anne Buck Lady Wood.
On 20th December 1802 Ulick Burgh 1st Marquess Clanricarde was born to John Thomas Burgh 13th Earl Clanricarde (age 58) at Belmont, Hampshire.
On 20th December 1804 Edward Adolphus Seymour 12th Duke of Somerset was born to Edward Seymour 11th Duke of Somerset (age 29) and Charlotte Hamilton Duchess Somerset (age 32). He was baptised on 16th February 1805 at St George's Church, Hanover Square.
On 20th December 1805 John Cæsar Hawkins was born to John Cæsar Hawkins 3rd Baronet (age 23) and Charlotte Cassandra Surtees.
On 20th December 1816 John William Hamilton Anson 2nd Baronet was born to William Anson 1st Baronet (age 44) and Louisa Frances Mary Dickenson Lady Anson.
On 20th December 1817 William Bernard Petre 12th Baron Petre was born to William Henry Francis Petre 11th Baron Petre (age 24) and Frances Charlotte Bedingfield (age 21).
On 20th December 1823 Reverend Henry Edward Browne ffolkes was born to William Browne ffolkes 2nd Baronet (age 37) and Charlotte Philippa Browne (age 25).
On 20th December 1827 General Charles Johnson was born to Henry Allen Johnson 2nd Baronet (age 42).
On 20th December 1840 Bishop Adelbert John Robert Anson was born to Thomas William Anson 1st Earl Lichfield (age 45) and Louisa Barbara Catherine Phillips Countess Lichfield (age 40). He was educated at Eton College [Map] and Christ Church College, Oxford University.
On 20th December 1842 Edward Ignatius Arundell was born to Henry Benedict Arundell 11th Baron Arundel (age 38) and Theresa Stourton Baroness Arundel Wardour (age 30).
On 20th December 1849 Brownlow Henry George Cecil 4th Marquess Exeter was born to William Alleyne Cecil 3rd Marquess Exeter (age 24) and and Georgina Sophia Pakenham Marchioness Exeter (age 22).
On 20th December 1853 Richard Francis Sutton 5th Baronet was born to Richard Sutton 4th Baronet (age 32).
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 20th December 1859 Edgar Clifford Arundell 14th Baron Arundel was born to Theodore Arundell and Louise Hussey.
On 20th December 1861 Countess Feodora Gleichen was born to Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Langenburg Count Gleichen (age 28) and Princess Laura Williamina Seymour (age 29).
On 20th December 1870 Bridget Louisa Harbord was born to Charles Harbord 5th Baron Suffield (age 40) and Cecilia Annetta Baring Baroness Suffield (age 36).
On 20th December 1883 Victoria Marjorie Harriet Manners Marchioness Anglesey was born to Henry John Brinsley Manners 8th Duke Rutland (age 31) and Violet Lindsay Duchess Rutland (age 27).
On 20th December 1886 Margery Spencer Viscountess Greenwood was born to Reverend Walter Spencer of Fownhope Court in Herefordshire.
On 20th December 1887 Evelyn Frances Butler was born to James Arthur Wellington Foley Butler 4th Marquess Ormonde (age 38) and Ellen Stager Marchioness Ormonde.
On 20th December 1891 Rupert Carrington 5th Baron Carrington was born to Rupert Carrington 4th Baron Carrington (age 39) and Edith Horsefall.
On 20th December 1896 Gerald Ralph Desmond Browne 7th Earl of Kenmare was born to Valentine Charles Browne 5th Earl of Kenmare (age 36) and Elizabeth Baring Countess Kenmare (age 29).
On 20th December 1902 Prince George Windsor 1st Duke Kent was born to King George V of the United Kingdom (age 37) and Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England (age 35) at York Cottage, Sandringham Estate. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.84%.
On 20th December 1903 Charles Walter James Dormer 15th Baron Dormer was born to Charles Joseph Thaddeus Dormer 14th Baron Dormer (age 39) and Caroline May Clifford Baroness Dormer.
On 20th December 1922 Dudley Ryder 7th Earl of Harrowby was born to Dudley Ryder 6th Earl of Harrowby (age 30).
On 20th December 1938 Archibald Orr-Ewing 6th Baronet was born to Ronald Orr-Ewing 5th Baronet (age 26) and Marion Hester Cameron Lady Orr-Ewing (age 24).
On 20th December 1947 Malcolm Rory Colquhoun 9th Baronet was born to Ivar Iain Colquhoun 8th Baronet (age 31).
On 20th December 1951 Charles Knowles 7th Baronet was born to Francis Knowles 6th Baronet (age 36).
All About History Books
The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.
On 20th December 1962 Charles Hay 16th Earl of Kinnoull was born to William Hay 15th Earl of Kinnoull (age 27).
On 20th December 1963 Nicholas Shakerley 7th Baronet was born to Geoffrey Adam Shakerley 6th Baronet (age 31) and Virginia Maskell (age 27).
On 20th December 1979 Tamara Katherine Grosvenor was born to Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor 6th Duke Westminster (age 27) and Natalia Phillips Duchess of Westminster (age 20).
Marriages on the 20th December
On 20th December 1576 John Carey 3rd Baron Hunsdon (age 26) and Mary Hyde Baroness Hunsdon (age 22) were married.
On 20th December 1605 Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden (age 23) and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden (age 19) were married.
On 20th December 1632 John Freke (age 41) and Jane Shirley Baroness Holles were married.
On 20th December 1642 Edward Montagu 2nd Earl Manchester (age 40) and Essex Cheeke Countess Manchester were married. She by marriage Countess Manchester. He the son of Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (deceased) and Catherine Spencer.
On 20th December 1667 Charles Vermuyden (age 29) and Mary Upton (age 17) were married.
On 20th December 1755 John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer (age 21) and Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer (age 18) were married at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map]. He the son of John Spencer and Georgiana Caroline Carteret (age 39).
On 20th December 1782 George Thomas 3rd Baronet (age 42) and Sophia Montagu Lady Thomas were married. She by marriage Lady Thomas of Yapton in Sussex.
On 20th December 1831 John Montagu Burgoyne 9th Baronet (age 35) and Mary Harriet Gore-Langton Lady Burgoyne (age 25) were married. She by marriage Lady Burgoyne of Sutton in Bedfordshire.
On 20th December 1901 Balthazar Stephen Sargant Foster 2nd Baron Ilkeston (age 34) and Mildred Charlotte Cobb were married.
On 20th December 1922 John Lindsay Dashwood 10th Baronet (age 26) and Helen Moira Eaton Lady Dashwood (age 23) were married. She by marriage Lady Dashwood of West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire.
On 20th December 1927 Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Grayson 1st Baronet (age 62) and Louise Mary Delany were married.
Deaths on the 20th December
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 20th December 910 Alfonso "Great" III King Asturias (age 62) died. His son García (age 39) succeeded I King Leon. His son Fruela (age 35) succeeded II King Asturias. His son Ordoño (age 37) succeeded II King Galicia.
On 19 or 20th December 1327 Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy (age 67) died.
On 20th December 1340 John I Duke of Bavaria (age 11) died.
On 20th December 1389 Isabeau Melun Countess Eu (age 61) died.
On 20th December 1558 Bishop John Holyman (age 63) died.
On 20th December 1620 Catherine Knollys Baroness Offaly (age 61) died.
On 20th December 1622 Catherine Knyvet Baroness Geneville Beaudasert (age 79) died.
All About History Books
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson. Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 20th December 1631 Thomas Mansel 1st Baronet (age 75) died. His son Lewis (age 37) succeeded 2nd Baronet Mansel of Margam. Elizabeth Montagu Lady Sebright and Mansel (age 24) by marriage Lady Mansel of Margam.
On 20th December 1644 Albert IV Wettin IV Duke Saxe Weimar (age 45) died at Eisenach. His brother Ernest (age 42) succeeded I Duke Saxe Gotha.
On 20th December 1680 Elisabeth Sophie Saxe Altenburg Duchess Saxe Gotha (age 61) died.
On 20th December 1697 Arthur Gore 1st Baronet (age 68) died. His grandson Arthur (age 12) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gore of Newtown in County Mayo.
On 5th December 1705 Martha Betteson Lady Bendish died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Steeple Bumstead on 20th December 1705.
On 20th December 1714 Eleanor Lowther Lady Wandesford (age 84) died.
On 20th December 1730 Elizabeth Bertie Baroness Fitzwalter (age 55) died.
All About History Books
The 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." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
On 20th December 1786 Isabella Montagu Duchess Manchester (age 80) died.
On 20th December 1790 Elizabeth Gunning Duchess Hamilton and Argyll (age 57) died in Argyll House 211 King's Road King's Road. Her son Douglas (age 34) succeeded 2nd Baron Hamilton of Hameldon in Leicestershire. Elizabeth Anne Burrell Duchess Hamilton Duchess Brandon (age 33) by marriage Baroness Hamilton of Hameldon in Leicestershire.
On 20th December 1802 Elizabeth Sambroke Viscountess Bateman (age 77) died.
On 20th December 1812 George Carpenter 3rd Earl Tyrconnel (age 24) died. His brother John (age 22) succeeded 4th Earl Tyrconnel, 6th Baron Carpenter of Killaghy in County Tipperary. He had volunteered in the summer of 1812 to serve as an officer under Alexander I of Russia. While opposing the French forces of Napoleon he died of disease "from his zeal and excessive fatigue."
On 20th December 1814 Henry Edwin Stanhope 1st Baronet (age 60) died. His son Edwyn (age 21) succeeded 2nd Baronet Stanhope of Stanwell.
On 20th December 1824 Marianne Philpot Lady Harington died.
On 20th December 1863 Richard Plumptre Glyn 2nd Baronet (age 76) died unmarried. His nephew Richard (age 32) succeeded 3rd Baronet Glyn of Gaunts in Dorset.
On 20th December 1877 Henry Willoughby 8th Baron Middleton (age 60) died at Birdsall House, Ryedale. His son Digby (age 33) succeeded 9th Baron Middleton, 10th Baronet Willoughby of Wollaton.
On 20th December 1904 Isaac Lowthian Bell 1st Baronet died. His son Thomas (age 60) succeeded 2nd Baronet Bell of Rounton Range and Washington Hall in County Durham. Florence Eveleen Eleanore Olliffe Lady Bell (age 53) by marriage Lady Bell of Rounton Range and Washington Hall in County Durham.
On 20th December 1904 Princess Alexandrine of Baden (age 84) died.
On 20th December 1910 Valerie Langdon Lady Meux (age 58) died. She left her estate, including Theobalds House, Hertfordshire, and a substantial interest in the Meux Brewery to Hedworth Lambton aka Meux (age 54) on condition that he change his surname to Meux, which he duly did. She excluded her mother-in-law's family, the Brudenell-Bruces, from her will probably because they had shunned her socially.
On 20th December 1910 Charles Scotter 1st Baronet (age 75) died at his home in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey [Map]. His son Frederick (age 42) succeeded 2nd Baronet Scotter of Surbiton in Surrey.
From Christchurch Times - Saturday 24 December 1910 ...
His funeral took place at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map]. The only flowers placed on the coffin, in addition to those from members of the family, were sent by the children of the L. and S.W. Railway Servants' Orphanage at Woking. A pathetic circumstance in connection with this Orphanage is that Sir Charles, in his last conscious moments, expressed the wish that the Christmas dinner for the children should be provided this year as usual at his expense. Various branches of the railway service desired to send wreaths, but, in deference to the wishes of the family, the money subscribed was devoted instead to the children's orphanage at Woking. After the service the body was cremated at Golder's Green.
On 20th December 1916 Henry Wallis (age 86) died at 1 Walpole Road, Croydon.
On 20th December 1921 Frederick Law Williams 7th Baronet (age 58) died. His son William (age 14) succeeded 8th Baronet Williams of Tregullow in Cornwall.
All About History Books
The Deeds of King Henry V, or in Latin Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
Available at Amazon as eBook or Paperback.
On 20th December 1939 Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth 1st Baron Shuttleworth (age 95) died. His grandson Richard (age 26) succeeded 2nd Baron Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe in Lancashire, Richard Kay-Shuttleworth 2nd Baron Shuttleworth, 3rd Baronet Kay-Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire.
On 20th December 1947 George Rous 3rd Earl of Stradbroke (age 85) died. His son John (age 44) succeeded 4th Earl Stradbrooke, 4th Viscount Dunwich, 9th Baronet Stradbrooke of Henham in Suffolk.
On 20th December 1977 Michael Henley aka Eden 7th Baron Henley 5th Baron Northington (age 63) died. His son Oliver (age 24) succeeded 8th Baron Henley, 6th Baron Northington of Watford in Northamptonshire.
On 20th December 1995 John Assheton Eardley-Wilmot 5th Baronet (age 78) died. His son Michael (age 54) succeeded 6th Baronet Eardley-Wilmot of Berkswell Hall in Warwickshire.