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On this Day in History ... 23rd January

23 Jan is in January.

1002 Otto III King Italy and Germany and Holy Roman Emperor Died

1045 Marriage of Edward "The Confessor" and Edith of Wessex

1461 Battle of Wakefield

1475 Welles' Rebellion and Battle of Losecoat Field aka Empingham

1484 Opening Parliament

1484 Buckingham's Rebellion

1513 Battle of Saint Mathieu

1516 Ferdinand II King Aragon Dies Joanna Queen Castile Succeeds

1570 James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Assassinated by Firearm

1649 Trial of Charles I

1661 Charles II Continues to Reward those who Supported His Restoration

1666 Great Storm

1874 Wedding of Prince Alfred and Grand Duchess Maria of Russia

1879 Battle of Rorke's Drift

1900 Battle of Spion Kop

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 23rd January

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 23 Jan 1045. In the same year also King Edward (age 42) took to wife Edgitha (age 19), the daughter of Earl Godwin (age 44), ten nights before Candlemas.

On 23 Jan 1045 King Edward of England (age 42) and Edith of Wessex Queen Consort England (age 19) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of Godwin Godwinson 1st Earl Kent and Wessex (age 44) and Gytha Estrigen Countess Kent and Wessex. He the son of King Æthelred II of England and Emma aka Ælfgyfu of Normandy Queen Consort England (age 60).

On 23 Jan 1302 Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon (age 16) and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon (age 12) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of Denis I King Portugal (age 40) and Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal (age 31). He the son of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 23 Jan 1305 Bishop Henry Woodlock was elected Bishop of Winchester.

Paston Letters Volume 3 430. 23 Jan 1461. 3.430. Clement Paston To John Paston

To hys rythe worchypfwll broder, John Paston.

Rythe reverent and worchypfwl broder, I recomawnde to yow, certyfyyng yow that yowr letter was delyveryd to me the xxiii. day of Januar abowthe none seasson, and Rychard Calle rode in the mornyng, and therfor I brak [opened] yowr letter, if ther wer any aftr mater; and I dede Christofer Hauswan goo to my Lord of Cawnterbure2 to tell him, as yowr letter rehersyd, and my Lord seyd he hadde spokyn with yowr man ther of the day be fore, and if the Byshop of Norwyche wod not doo so mwche for him, he hys the les behold to him. Notwithstandyng, he sayd, he wold save yow harmles agens John Yowng; but and ye do well remember thys Lord have many maters to thynge on, and if it be forgeten, the harm is yowrs, and also if the word [world] torn, John Yong will not doo at hys prayer.

And my Lord Fitzwater (age 35)3 is ryden northewards, and it is sayd in my Lord of Cawnterberys howse that he hethe takyn ijc. [200] of Andrew Troloppys4 men. And as for Colt,5 and Sir Jamys Strangwysse, and Sir Thomas Pykeryng, they be takyn or ellys dede. The comyn voysse is that they be de dede. Hopton6 and Hastyngs7 be with the Erle of Marche, and wer no at the fewlde.8 Wat word that ever he have fro my Lords that be here, it is well doo, and best for yow, to see that the contre be allweys redy to come bothe fote 250men and hors men, qwen they be sent for; for I have herd seyde the ferthere Lords will be here soner that men wen, I have arde sayde, er iij. weks to an ende; and also that ye xwld come with more men, and clenlier arayed than anoder man of yowr cwntre xwld, for it ly the more up on yowr worchyp, and towcheythe yow more nere than odermen of that cwntre, and also ye be mor had in favor with my Lords here. In this cwntre every man is well wyllyng to goo with my Lords here, and I hope God xall helpe hem, for the pepill in the northe robbe and styll, and ben apoyntyd to pill all thys cwntre, and gyffe a way menys goods and lufflods in all the sowthe cwntre, and that wyll ask a myscheffe. My Lords that ben here have as moche as they may do to kep down all thys cwntre more than iiij. or v. schers, for they wold be up on the men in northe, for it ys for the welle of all the sowthe.

I pray yow recomawnde me to my moder, and that I prayed her of her blyssyng. I pray yow exscwse me to her that I wryte her no letter, for thys was y now a doo. I dare not pray yow to recomawnde me to my swster yowr wyff, and the masenger I trow be so wysse he can not doyt. Ye mwst pay him for hys labor, for he taryd all nyt in thys town for thys letter.

Wrytyn the xxiij. day of Janware in haste, wan I was not well at hesse. God have [you] in Hys keping.

By Clement Paston, Yowr broder.

Note 1. [From Fenn, i. 202.] This letter appears to have been written after the battle of Wakefield, when the victorious army, led on by Margaret of Anjou, was marching southwards.

Note 2, Archbishop Bourchier.

Note 3, Sir John Radcliff of Attleborough, styled Lord Fitzwalter in right of his wife [Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 30)], only daughter and heiress of Walter Fitzwalter, seventh lord. This John was at the battle of Ferrybridge on the 29th March 1461, and died, probably of his wounds, on the 6th April following.—See G. E. C.’s Complete Peerage.

Note 4. Andrew Trollope, whose desertion of the Duke of York at Ludlow in 1459 caused the dispersion of the Yorkist leaders. He was killed at the battle of Towton in March 1461, fighting on the Lancastrian side.

Note 5. Thomas Colt.—See Rolls of Parliament, v. 348.

Note 6. Walter Hopton.—See Rolls of Parliament, v. 368.

Note 7. William, son of Sir Leonard Hastings.—See Rolls of Parliament, ib.

Note 8. The battle of Wakefield.

Before 23 Jan 1475 Joan Welles 9th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died.

Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby (age 22) de jure 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Margaret Jenney Baroness Willoughby of Eresby (age 15) by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

King Edward IV of England (age 32) had father and son Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 47) and Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles posthumously attainted some five years after the Welles' Rebellion to ensure Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 42) would continue to enjoy the benefit of the Welles' estates; he was given a life interest in the estates on 23 Jan 1475. Another example of King Edward IV of England being somewhat disingenuous with the legal system to his own advantage. He, Edward was, in effect, disinheriting Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby who should have inherited Baron Willoughby de Eresby and John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 25) who should have inherited Baron Welles following Joan's death.

On 23 Jan 1484 Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond (age 40) was subject to an attainder in the first Parliament of Richard III for her involvement. Whilst the Act was described as an Attainder Richard in effect transferred all of Margaret's property to her husband Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby (age 49) as follows:

An act for the attainder of Margaret, countess of Richmond:

Because Margaret, countess of Richmond, mother of the king's great rebel and traitor, Henry, earl of Richmond, has lately conspired, leagued and committed high treason against our sovereign lord King Richard III in various ways, and in particular by sending messages, writings and tokens to the said Henry, urging, instigating and stirring him by them to come into this realm to make war upon our said sovereign lord; to which urging, instigation and stirring the said Henry applied himself, as experience has recently shown. Also, the said countess supplied great sums of money within the city of London as well as elsewhere in this realm to be employed in the execution of the said treason and malicious purpose; and the said countess also conspired, leagued and plotted the destruction of our said sovereign lord, and knew of and assented to, and assisted in the treason planned and committed by Henry, late Duke of Buckingham, and his supporters, for which he and some of his supporters have been attainted by an act in this present parliament. Nevertheless, our said sovereign lord, of his special grace, mindful of the good and faithful service which Thomas, Lord Stanley, has given and intends to give our said sovereign lord, and for the sincere love and trust which the king has in him, and for his sake, remits and will forbear the great punishment of attainting the said countess, which she or anyone else doing the same has deserved; and in consideration of the foregoing, our said sovereign lord wills that it be enacted, ordained and decreed, by the assent of the lords spiritual and temporal and the commons assembled in this present parliament, and by authority of the same, that the said countess henceforth shall be legally unable to have, inherit or enjoy any manors, lands or tenements, or other hereditaments or possessions whatsoever, and also henceforth shall be unable to bear or have any name of estate or dignity; and that the said countess shall forfeit to our said sovereign lord the king and his heirs all the castles, manors, lordships, lands, tenements, rents, services, reversions and other hereditaments and possessions, whatsoever they may be, of which the said countess, or anyone else to her use, is now seised or possessed of estate of fee-simple, fee-tail, term of life, in dower or otherwise. And be it ordained by the said authority that all the said castles, manors, lordships, lands, tenements, rents, services, reversions and other hereditaments with the appurtenances of which the said countess, or anyone else to her use, is now seised of estate of fee-simple or fee-tail, shall remain to the said Thomas for term of his life, and after his death to our said sovereign lord the king and his heirs. And moreover, all the lordships, manors, lands, tenements, rents, services and reversions of which the said countess, or any other person to her use, is now seised of estate, term of her life or in dower, shall remain to the said Thomas during her life. And if the said Thomas dies during the lifetime of the said countess, they shall remain to the king; saving to every person and persons, except the said countess and her heirs, their right, title and interest in the said lands and tenements.

Richard III Parliament Rolls 1484 The Opening of Parliament. Be it remembered that on Friday, 23 January in the first year of the reign of King Richard the third (age 31) since the conquest, that is, on the first day of parliament, with the lord king sitting on the royal throne in the Painted Chamber [Map] within his palace of Westminster, then being present many lords spiritual and temporal, and the commons of the realm of England, assembled at the aforesaid parliament at the king's command, the venerable father John, Bishop of Lincoln, chancellor of England memorably declared and announced the reasons for summoning the aforesaid parliament, taking as his theme: 'In the body there are many limbs, but not all have the same function'. In which words he gravely and very astutely explained the fealty which subjects of the king and the functions individual members owe to the principal member, asserting that there are three kinds of body, namely the natural, the aggregate and the politic, and going on to suggest that one coin, the tenth, had been lost from the most precious fabric of the body politic of England and that to hunt for it and find it would require the king and all the lords spiritual and temporal to be very assiduous and diligent during this parliament; concluding that after the finding of the tenth coin, which signifies perfection, our body politic of England would endure gloriously and for a long time, healthy, safe and free from all damage or injury; the king, the great men of the realm and the commons eternally cherishing peace outward and inward and the author of that peace. At the end of which declaration and announcement, the aforesaid chancellor in the king's name firmly ordered the commons to assemble on the following day in their common house as usual and elect one of their number as their speaker, and to present the man thus elected to the same lord king. The same chancellor announced moreover that the said lord king, wishing justice to be done more swiftly both to denizens and aliens wishing to complain in the said parliament, had appointed and assigned certain receivers of the petitions to be presented in the same parliament in the following form ...

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1513. 23 Jan 1513. VENICE. [Copy of a letter received in February, 1512-13.] From Nicolo di Favri to Francesco Gradenigo, London, 23 Jan.-Description of English life and weather. Wrote on 10 Dec. that the camps were disarming. One was in Spain where the King of Spain failed to keep his promise of co-operation and the Spaniards shot at the English who went to eat grapes in a vineyard. Another, under the Lord Treasurer, was in Scotland, whose King made terms; and a third at sea. A French and an English ship were both burnt while fighting together, but whereas the French lost 200 gentlemen the English lost only the captain. Parliament (which met on All Saints Day), and continual resort of its members to the Ambassador's house. Great service done by the Ambassador. His straits for money. Frenchmen in England ill-treated. Taxation. The King and his affection for the Ambassador. News, just come, of four victories of the Spaniards over the French, and death of Mons. de la Palisse.

Note 2. [Note of letters received 1 March 1513.]From Andrea Badoer [, London], 23 Jan.-The King makes very great preparations against France, and the Council has decided that he may go in person. Every day he goes to hasten the Fleet and especially the great ship he is making. There is news that the Duke of Brunswick, captain of the Emperor and Madame Margaret, has been routed by the Duke of Guelders and lost two captains, one of whom, Mons. de Reselich, has been ransomed.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1510-1519. 23 Jan 1516. The King of Spayne (age 63) died.

On 23 Jan 1516 Ferdinand II King Aragon (age 63) died. His daughter Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile (age 37) succeeded Queen Aragon.

Wriothesley's Chronicle 1551. 23 Jan 1552. Saterday, the 23 of January, beinge the first day of Hilary Tearme, and allso the first day of the Session of the Parliament at Westminster, Doctor Goodricke, Bishopp of Ely and custos of the Kinges great seale of England, was sworne in the Chauncery Lord Chauncellor of England, the Lord Treasurer of England giuinge him his oath.

Chronicle of Queen Jane and Two Years of Queen Mary 1554. 23 Jan 1554. Note, that on tuyseday the xxiijth of January, the lorde Robert Dudley (age 21), sone to the late duke of Northumberland, was brought out of the Tower to the yeldhall, wher he was arrayned and condempned.

On 23 Jan 1570 James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent (age 39) was assassinated at Linlithgow by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a supporter of Mary Queen of Scots (age 27). His daughter Elizabeth Stewart 2nd Countess Moray (age 4) succeeded 2nd Countess Moray. As he was passing in a cavalcade in the main street below, Hamilton fatally wounded him with a carbine shot from a window of his uncle Archbishop Hamilton's (age 57) house. He was the first head of government to be assassinated by a firearm.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1617. 23 Jan 1617. Upon the 23rd my Lord (age 27) went up betimes to London again. The same day the Child put on her red baize coats.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 23 Jan 1619. The 23rd I came from London to Knole in a litter, the Child riding all the way in her coach, I went through the City and over the bridge, but she crossed the water. We found my Lord (age 29) at Knole, who had stayed there all this time since his coming from London.

On 23 Jan 1649 King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 48) was tried at Westminster Hall [Map] by Henry Mildmay (age 56). The fifty-nine signatories of his Death Warrant were:

1 Judge John Bradshaw

2 Thomas Grey

3 Oliver Cromwell

4 Edward Whalley

7 John Danvers

9 Henry Ireton

11 Hardress Waller

14 Major-General William Goffe

17 General Thomas Harrison

21 Admiral Richard Deane

27 Adrian Scrope

34 Richard Ingoldsby

42 John Jones

45 Major General Charles Fleetwood

54 Gregory Clement

55 John Downes

57 Thomas Scot

58 John Carew

The commissioners who sat at the trial but did not sign the Death Warrant included:

William Monson 1st Viscount Monson (age 50)

James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 41)

The Captain of the Guard was Daniel Axtell (age 27). The guards included Francis Hacker, Matthew Tomlinson (age 31).

The Solicitor-General was John Cook (age 41).

On 23 Jan 1655 John Mallorie of Studley Royal (age 45) died. He was buried in Ripon Cathedral [Map].

John Mallorie of Studley Royal: In 1610 he was born.

In early 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) rewarded of further tranche of those who supported his Restoration ...

On 02 Jan 1661 Henry Bedingfield 1st Baronet (age 46) was created 1st Baronet Bedingfield of Oxburgh in Norfolk.

On 10 Jan 1661 Andrew Rutherford 1st Earl Teviot was created 1st Baron Rutherford with special remainder to his heirs and assignees whatsoever, and that under what provisions, restrictions, and conditions the said Lord Rutherford should think fit.

On 23 Jan 1661 John Cole 1st Baronet (age 41) was created Baronet Cole of Newland.

On 23 Feb 1661 Edward Smythe 1st Baronet (age 41) was created 1st Baronet Smythe.

On 04 Mar 1661 Compton Reade 1st Baronet (age 36) was created 1st Baronet Reade of Barton in Berkshire. Mary Cornwall Lady Reade (age 31) by marriage Lady Reade of Barton in Berkshire.

On 10 Mar 1661 Brian Broughton 1st Baronet (age 42) was created 1st Baronet Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire.

On 20 Mar 1661 Thomas Rich 1st Baronet (age 60) was created 1st Baronet Rich of Sonning in Berkshire.

On 29 Mar 1661 Robert Cholmondeley 1st Viscount Cholmondeley (age 21) was created 1st Viscount Cholmondeley of Kells in County Meath.

On 30 Mar 1661 James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 50) was created 1st Duke Ormonde by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 45) by marriage Duchess Ormonde.

On 30 Mar 1661 John Fettiplace 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Fettiplace of Childrey in Berkshire. Anne Wenman Lady Fettiplace (age 31) by marriage Lady Fettiplace of Childrey in Berkshire.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23 Jan 1665. Up, and with Sir W. Batten (age 64) and Sir W. Pen (age 43) to White Hall; but there finding the Duke (age 31) gone to his lodgings at St. James's for all together, his Duchesse (age 27) being ready to lie in, we to him, and there did our usual business. And here I met the great newes confirmed by the Duke's own relation, by a letter from Captain Allen (age 53). First, of our own loss of two ships, the Phoenix and Nonesuch, in the Bay of Gibraltar: then of his, and his seven ships with him, in the Bay of Cales, or thereabouts, fighting with the 34 Dutch Smyrna fleete; sinking the King Salamon, a ship worth a £150,000 or more, some say £200,000, and another; and taking of three merchant-ships. Two of our ships were disabled, by the Dutch unfortunately falling against their will against them; the Advice, Captain W. Poole, and Antelope, Captain Clerke: The Dutch men-of-war did little service. Captain Allen did receive many shots at distance before he would fire one gun, which he did not do till he come within pistol-shot of his enemy. The Spaniards on shore at Cales did stand laughing at the Dutch, to see them run away and flee to the shore, 34 or thereabouts, against eight Englishmen at most. I do purpose to get the whole relation, if I live, of Captain Allen himself. In our loss of the two ships in the Bay of Gibraltar, it is observable how the world do comment upon the misfortune of Captain Moone of the Nonesuch (who did lose, in the same manner, the Satisfaction), as a person that hath ill-luck attending him; without considering that the whole fleete was ashore. Captain Allen led the way, and Captain Allen himself writes that all the masters of the fleete, old and young, were mistaken, and did carry their ships aground. But I think I heard the Duke say that Moone, being put into the Oxford, had in this conflict regained his credit, by sinking one and taking another. Captain Seale of the Milford hath done his part very well, in boarding the King Salamon, which held out half an hour after she was boarded; and his men kept her an hour after they did master her, and then she sunk, and drowned about 17 of her men.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23 Jan 1666. Up and to the office and then to dinner. After dinner to the office again all the afternoon, and much business with me. Good newes beyond all expectation of the decrease of the plague, being now but 79, and the whole but 272. So home with comfort to bed. A most furious storme all night and morning.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23 Jan 1667. Up, and with Sir W. Batten (age 66) and Sir W. Pen (age 45) to White Hall, and there to the Duke of York (age 33), and did our usual business. Having done there, I to St. James's, to see the organ Mrs. Turner (age 44) told me of the other night, of my late Lord Aubigney's; and I took my Lord Bruncker (age 47) with me, he being acquainted with my present Lord Almoner, Mr. Howard (age 38), brother to the Duke of Norfolke (age 38); so he and I thither and did see the organ, but I do not like it, it being but a bauble, with a virginal! joining to it: so I shall not meddle with it.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23 Jan 1669. So to the office, where all the morning till noon, when word brought me to the Board that my Lord Sandwich (age 43) was come; so I presently rose, leaving the Board ready to rise, and there I found my Lord Sandwich, Peterborough, and Sir Charles Harbord (age 29); and presently after them comes my Lord Hinchingbrooke (age 21), Mr. Sidney (age 18), and Sir William Godolphin (age 33). And after greeting them, and some time spent in talk, dinner was brought up, one dish after another, but a dish at a time, but all so good; but, above all things, the variety of wines, and excellent of their kind, I had for them, and all in so good order, that they were mightily pleased, and myself full of content at it: and indeed it was, of a dinner of about six or eight dishes, as noble as any man need to have, I think; at least, all was done in the noblest manner that ever I had any, and I have rarely seen in my life better anywhere else, even at the Court.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23 Jan 1678. Dined with the Duke of Norfolk (age 49), being the first time I had seen him since the death of his elder brother, who died at Padua in Italy, where he had resided above thirty years. The Duke had now newly declared his marriage to his concubine (age 35), whom he promised me he never would marry. I went with him to see the Duke of Buckingham (age 49), thence to my Lord Sunderland (age 36), now Secretary of State, to show him that rare piece of Vosterman's (son of old Vosterman), which was a view, or landscape of my Lord's palace, etc., at Althorpe [Map] in Northamptonshire.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23 Jan 1683. Sir Francis North (age 45), son to the Lord North, and Lord Chief Justice, being made Lord Keeper on the death of the Earl of Nottingham, the Lord Chancellor, I went to congratulate him. He is a most knowing, learned, and ingenious man, and, besides being an excellent person, of an ingenious and sweet disposition, very skillful in music, painting, the new philosophy, and politer studies.

John Evelyn's Diary. 23 Jan 1686. I din'd at my Lady Arlington's (age 52), groome of the stole to the Queene Dowager (age 47), at Somerset House [Map], where din'd the Countesses of Devonshire (age 40), Dover (age 76), &c. in all 11 ladys of quality, no man but myselfe being there.

On 23 Jan 1727 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot (age 16) was educated at Exeter College, Oxford University.

After the death of John Hoppner (age 51) on 23 Jan 1810 William Owen (age 41) became portrait painter to the Prince of Wales (age 47).

On 23 Jan 1831 Horace Beckford aka Pitt-Rivers 3rd Baron Rivers (age 53) drowned himself in The Serpentine, Hyde Park having reneged on a pledge to never play cards again. His son George Pitt-Rivers 4th Baron Rivers (age 20) succeeded 4th Baron Rivers of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire.

On 23 Jan 1874 Unknown Painter. The Wedding of Prince Alfred Windsor (age 29) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 20).

On 23 Jan 1874 Prince Alfred Windsor (age 29) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 20) were married. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 54). They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King George I of Great Britain and Ireland.

On 23 Jan 1878 Alfonso XII King Spain (age 20) and Maria de las Mercedes Unknown Queen Consort Spain (age 17) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Spain. He the son of Francisco de Asís King Consort Spain (age 55) and Isabella II Queen Spain (age 47). They were half first cousins.

22-23 Jan 1879. The Battle of Rorke's Drift was an engagement in the Anglo-Zulu War in which the British sucessfully defended the mission station of Rorke's Drift, under the command of Lieutenants John Chard of the Royal Engineers and Gonville Bromhead, of the 24th Regiment of Foot.

On 23 and 24 Jan 1900 the Battle of Spion Kop was fought between British and Boer forces.

Robert Calverley Bewicke fought.

Births on the 23rd January

On 23 Jan 1570 Christoph Wittelsbach was born to William Wittelsbach V Duke Bavaria (age 21) and Renata Lorraine Duchess Bavaria (age 25). Coefficient of inbreeding 2.86%.

On 23 Jan 1647 Seymour Shirley 5th Baronet was born to Robert Shirley 4th Baronet (age 18) and Catherine Okeover.

On 23 Jan 1726 James Johnstone 4th Baronet was born to James Johnstone 3rd Baronet (age 28) and Barbara Murray.

On 23 Jan 1748 Margaret Butler was born to Somerset Butler 1st Earl Carrick (age 29) and Juliana Boyle.

On 23 Jan 1753 Thomas Brooke-Pechell 2nd Baronet was born to Paul Pechell 1st Baronet (age 28) and Mary Brooke Lady Pechell.

On 23 Jan 1761 Maria Forbes Countess Clarendon was born to John Forbes (age 46) and Mary Capell.

On 23 Jan 1765 Henry Legge was born to William Legge 2nd Earl Dartmouth (age 33) and Frances Catherine Gounter Nicoll Countess Dartmouth (age 32).

On 23 Jan 1783 George Thicknesse-Touchet 20th Baron Audley 17th Baron Tuchet was born to George Thicknesse 19th Baron Audley 16th Baron Tuchet (age 25) and Elizabeth Delaval Baroness Audley (age 26).

On 23 Jan 1787 William Cust was born to Brownlow Cust 1st Baron Brownlow (age 42) and Frances Bankes Baroness Brownlow.

On 23 Jan 1790 Thomas Lister 2nd Baron Ribblesdale was born to Thomas Lister 1st Baron Ribblesdale (age 37) and Rebecca Fielding Baroness Ribblesdale (age 18).

On 23 Jan 1792 Charles Mills 1st Baronet was born to William Mills (age 41) and Elizabeth Digby (age 34).

On 23 Jan 1795 Admiral Henry John Rous was born to John Rous 1st Earl Stradbrooke (age 44).

On 23 Jan 1842 William Tate 2nd Baronet was born to Henry Tate 1st Baronet (age 22).

On 23 Jan 1906 Princess May of Teck was born to Alexander Teck 1st Earl Athlone (age 32) and Princess Alice Countess Athlone (age 22) at Claremont House Esher, Surrey. She a great granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.

On 23 Jan 1916 Harold Hood 2nd Baronet was born to Joseph Hood 1st Baronet (age 52).

On 23 Jan 1924 David William Anthony Blyth Macpherson 2nd Baron Strathcarron was born to James Ian Macpherson 1st Baron Strathcarron (age 43).

On 23 Jan 1988 Edward Corfton 8th Baron Crofton was born to Patrick Crofton 7th Baron Crofton (age 36).

Marriages on the 23rd January

On 23 Jan 1045 King Edward of England (age 42) and Edith of Wessex Queen Consort England (age 19) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of Godwin Godwinson 1st Earl Kent and Wessex (age 44) and Gytha Estrigen Countess Kent and Wessex. He the son of King Æthelred II of England and Emma aka Ælfgyfu of Normandy Queen Consort England (age 60).

On 23 Jan 1302 Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon (age 16) and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon (age 12) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of Denis I King Portugal (age 40) and Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal (age 31). He the son of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

Before 23 Jan 1406 John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 28) and Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe in Bedfordshire. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.

On 23 Jan 1581 James "The Bonnie Earl" Stewart 2nd Earl of Moray (age 16) and Elizabeth Stewart 2nd Countess Moray (age 15) were married. She by marriage Lord Doune. He by marriage 2nd Earl Moray. She the daughter of James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent and Agnes Keith Countess Moray and Argyll (age 50). They were third cousins. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.

Before 23 Jan 1647 Robert Shirley 4th Baronet (age 18) and Catherine Okeover were married.

On 23 Jan 1653 George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 44) and Anne Clarges Duchess Albermarle (age 33) were married. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward IV of England.

On 23 Jan 1691 John Newton 3rd Baronet (age 40) and Susanna Wharton Lady Newton (age 40) were married.

On 23 Jan 1693 George Carpenter 1st Baron Carpenter (age 35) and Alice Caulfeild Baroness Carpenter (age 32) were married.

On 23 Jan 1730 John Campbell 3rd Earl Breadalbaine and Holland (age 33) and Arbella Pershall Countess Breadalbaine and Holland were married. He the son of John Campbell 2nd Earl Breadalbaine and Holland (age 67) and Henrietta Villiers Countess Breadalbaine and Holland.

On 23 Jan 1768 Charles Dormer 8th Baron Dormer (age 42) and Elizabeth Hamilton Baroness Dormer were married.

On 23 Jan 1874 Prince Alfred Windsor (age 29) and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov (age 20) were married. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 54). They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King George I of Great Britain and Ireland.

On 23 Jan 1878 Alfonso XII King Spain (age 20) and Maria de las Mercedes Unknown Queen Consort Spain (age 17) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Spain. He the son of Francisco de Asís King Consort Spain (age 55) and Isabella II Queen Spain (age 47). They were half first cousins.

On 23 Jan 1883 Sydney Holland 2nd Viscount Knutsford (age 27) and Mary Ashburnham Viscountess Knutsford (age 23) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She the daughter of Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham and Katherine Charlotte Baillie Countess Ashburnham (age 63).

On 23 Jan 1883 Arthur Chichester 8th Baronet (age 60) and Rosalie Amelia Chamberlayne were married.

On 23 Jan 1923 Robert Walker 4th Baronet (age 32) and Esme Ethel Alice d'Beaumont Lady Walker were married. She by marriage Lady Walker of Sand Hutton in Yorkshire.

Deaths on the 23rd January

On 23 Jan 1423 Margaret Wittelsbach Duchess Burgundy (age 60) died.

Before 23 Jan 1475 Joan Welles 9th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died.

Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby (age 22) de jure 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Margaret Jenney Baroness Willoughby of Eresby (age 15) by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.

King Edward IV of England (age 32) had father and son Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby (age 47) and Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles posthumously attainted some five years after the Welles' Rebellion to ensure Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby (age 42) would continue to enjoy the benefit of the Welles' estates; he was given a life interest in the estates on 23 Jan 1475. Another example of King Edward IV of England being somewhat disingenuous with the legal system to his own advantage. He, Edward was, in effect, disinheriting Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby who should have inherited Baron Willoughby de Eresby and John Welles 1st Viscount Welles (age 25) who should have inherited Baron Welles following Joan's death.

On 23 Jan 1516 Ferdinand II King Aragon (age 63) died. His daughter Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile (age 37) succeeded Queen Aragon.

On 23 Jan 1528 Helen Campbell Countess Eglinton (age 68) died.

On 23 Jan 1554 Elizabeth Hussey Baroness Hungerford (age 57) died.

On 23 Jan 1570 James Stewart 1st Earl of Moray Regent (age 39) was assassinated at Linlithgow by James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh, a supporter of Mary Queen of Scots (age 27). His daughter Elizabeth Stewart 2nd Countess Moray (age 4) succeeded 2nd Countess Moray. As he was passing in a cavalcade in the main street below, Hamilton fatally wounded him with a carbine shot from a window of his uncle Archbishop Hamilton's (age 57) house. He was the first head of government to be assassinated by a firearm.

On 23 Jan 1637 Alice Spencer Countess Derby (age 87) died.

On 23 Jan 1705 Martha Carey Countess Middleton (age 70) died.

On 23 Jan 1720 Thomas Southwell 1st Baron Southwell (age 55) died.

On or before 23 Jan 1740 Penelope Glynne Lady Wheler died. She was buried on 23 Jan 1740 at All Saints' Church, Leamington Hastings.

On 23 Jan 1752 John Wray 12th Baronet (age 62) died. He was buried at Ripon Cathedral [Map]. His son Cecil Wray 13th Baronet (age 17) succeeded 13th Baronet Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire.

On 23 Jan 1810 John Hoppner (age 51) died.

On 23 Jan 1820 John Howard 15th Earl Suffolk 8th Earl Berkshire (age 80) died.

On 23 Jan 1831 Horace Beckford aka Pitt-Rivers 3rd Baron Rivers (age 53) drowned himself in The Serpentine, Hyde Park having reneged on a pledge to never play cards again. His son George Pitt-Rivers 4th Baron Rivers (age 20) succeeded 4th Baron Rivers of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire.

On 23 Jan 1833 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth (age 75) died. He was buried at St James the Apostle Church, Christow. His son Pownoll Bastard Pellew 2nd Viscount Exmouth (age 46) succeeded 2nd Viscount Exmouth, 2nd Baron Exmouth of Canonteign, 2nd Baronet Pellew of Treverry in Cornwall. He died in December of the same year. Georgiana Janet Dick Viscountess Pellew (age 33) by marriage Viscountess Exmouth.

On 23 Jan 1844 Francis Burdett 5th Baronet (age 73) died ten days after the death of his wife Sophia Coutts Lady Burdett; he had refused food after she had died. His son Robert Burdett 6th Baronet (age 47) succeeded 6th Baronet Burdett of Bramcote in Warwickshire.

On 23 Jan 1854 Ralph Franco aka Lopes 2nd Baronet (age 65) died. His son Massey Lopes 3rd Baronet (age 35) succeeded 3rd Baronet Lopes of Maristow-House in Devon.

On 23 Jan 1865 Corisande Armandine Sophie Léonie Hélène Gramont Countess Tankerville (age 82) died.

On 23 Jan 1874 Henry Villiers Stuart (age 70) died. Baron Stuart de Decies of Dromana within the Decies in County Waterford extinct as a consequence of there being uncertainty about the validity of his marriage to Theresia Pauline Ott. His son Henry Windsor Villiers-Stuart (age 46) was not allowed to inherit the title.

On 23 Jan 1889 Alexandre Cabanel (age 65) died.

On 23 Jan 1892 Henry Stapleton 9th Baron Beaumont (age 43) died without issue. His brother Miles Stapleton 10th Baron Beaumont (age 41) succeeded 10th Baron Beaumont.

On 23 Jan 1902 William Parker 2nd Baronet (age 77) died. His son William Lorenzo Parker 3rd Baronet (age 13) succeeded 3rd Baronet Parker of Shenstone.

On 23 Jan 1910 William Jocelyn 6th Earl Roden (age 67) died unmarried. His brother Robert Jocelyn 7th Earl Roden (age 64) succeeded 7th Earl Roden

On 23 Jan 1911 John Thomas Blight (age 75) died.

On 23 Jan 1916 Susan Isabel Elton Smith Countess Wilton (age 74) died.

On 23 Jan 1939 Evelyn Henrietta Leigh Baroness Alington died.

On 23 Jan 1942 Albert Holden Illingworth 1st Baron Illingworth (age 76) died. Baron Illingworth of Denton in Yorkshire extinct.

On 23 Jan 1972 Dorothy Gough-Calthorpe Countess of Malmesbury (age 86) died.

On 23 Jan 2005 Morys George Lyndhurst Bruce 4th Baron Aberdare (age 85) died. His son Alastair Bruce 5th Baron Aberdare (age 57) succeeded 5th Baron Aberdare of Duffryn in Glamorganshire.