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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Shoulder Garter is in Garter Knights.
On 30th May 1499 John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 57] died. Baron Cheyne extinct. Fluted Period. Alabaster Monument at Salisbury Cathedral [Map].
Fluted armour typified by having no headwear, being clean shaven, a breastplate in two pieces and the neck protected by a Standard. Damaged angel, its head removed, holding the cushion on which his head rests. He wearing a Lancastrian Esses Collar with large Esses. Ringed fingers.
Detail of the heavily graffitied Shoulder Garter.
Detail of the heavily graffitied Leg Garter and Poleyn.
Mutilated Lion at his feet with its head missing. The figure beneath his right foot appears to be a Bedesman. That beneath his left foot may be the remains of the means by which a bedesman was originally fixed to the foot. What appears to be a birds foot lying across the lions body is the tail of the lion.
After 20th September 1543. Alabaster Monument to Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [deceased] and Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 48] in the Chancel of St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
Chest with Weepers. Monument sculpted by Richard Parker of Burton on Trent.
Detail of his head with a short haircut and beard. He wearing a circlet, possibly coronet. His head resting on a Great Helm with Peacock in Pride ie with its feathers displayed.
His Mitten Gauntlets with the cloven-hooved foot of the Unicorn visible.
Detail of his Great Helm with Cap of Maintenance and the Manners Peacock in Pride ie with its feathers displayed.
Detail of the panels of the chest.
Detail of her dress with fastenings, heart locket, hands crasped in prayer.
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After 14th April 1587. Elizabethan Period monument to Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [deceased] and Isabel Holcroft Countess Rutland [aged 37] sculpted by Gerard Johnson The Elder [aged 37] in the Chancel of St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
Isabel Holcroft Countess Rutland: In 1550 she was born to Thomas Holcroft. On 6th June 1573 Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland and she were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland, Baroness Ros Helmsley. He the son of Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland and Margaret Neville Countess Rutland. Around 16th January 1606 she died.
Detail of the sculpture of their only child Elizabeth Manners 15th Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 12].
His feet resting on a Bulls Head with a chained coronet around its neck - a change from the Unicorn seen on earlier Manners effigies.
Detail of her Ermine lined mantle and hands clasped in prayer.
Her arms quarterd 1&4 Holcroft 2 Unknown? A squirrel, possibly fox, eating what may be a nut. 3 A black bird and an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes.
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St Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield [Map]. After 24th May 1612. Monument to Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury [deceased].
The insignia of the Order of the Garter being the shoulder emblem, the small St George pendant hanging from his chain, and the leg garter.
The four ladies at each corner.
His feet resting on a sheaf of arrows.
