William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Paternal Family Tree: Luxemburg
Maternal Family Tree: Jeanne Sabran
Descendants Family Tree: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 1415-1472
1433 John Duke of Bedford marries Jacquetta Luxemburg
1464 Marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville
1465 Marriage of John Woodville and Catherine Neville
On 8th May 1405 [her father] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 15] and [her mother] Margherita Baux [aged 11] were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria [aged 75] and [her grandmother] Sueva Orsini [aged 45]. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.
In 1415 Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford was born to [her father] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 25] and [her mother] Margherita Baux [aged 21].
On 13th May 1423 [her future husband] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 33] and Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford [aged 18] were married at Troyes, France [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Bedford She the daughter of John "Fearless" Valois Duke Burgundy and Margaret Wittelsbach Duchess Burgundy. He the son of King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 17th August 1424 the English forces led by [her future husband] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 35] inflicted a significant defeat on the French and Scottish army at the Battle of Verneuil; a second Agincourt. For the English Edmund Hungerford [aged 15], Ralph Longford [aged 23], John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 41] and Richard Waller [aged 29] fought.
On the French and Scottish side Pierre Valois, Archibald Douglas 1st Duke Touraine [aged 52], his son James Douglas, William Seton Master of Seton [aged 34], Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas [aged 56] were killed
John Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan [aged 43] was killed. His brother Robert [aged 39] de jure Earl Ross and Earl Buchan although he didn't claim the title since both titles had reverted to the Crown.
Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 34] fought.
In 1430 [her father] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 40] was created I Count Saint Pol.
On 22nd April 1433 John Duke Bedford [aged 43] and Jacquetta Luxemburg [aged 18] were married at Thérouanne [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Bedford. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 43] and Margherita Baux [aged 39]. He the son of King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were half fifth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
The marriage caused a rift with Philip "Good" Duke Burgundy [aged 36], John's late wife's brother, who regarded the marriage, some five months after his sister's death, an insult to her memory. There was no issue from the marriage with John dying a year and a half later.
Chronicle of Gregory. 22nd April 1433. And the same year the [her husband] Duke of Bedforde [aged 43], and Regyant of Fraunce, weddyde the [her father] dukys [aged 43]1 daughter [aged 18] of Syn Powle the xxij2 day at Tyruyn [Map]3.
Note 1. He was Count Saint Pol rather than Duke.
Note 2. of April.
Note 3. Thérouanne [Map].
On 31st August 1433 [her father] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 43] died of plague at Rambures, Somme. His son [her brother] Louis [aged 15] succeeded I Count Saint Pol.
In 1435 [her brother] Louis Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 17] and [her sister-in-law] Jeanne of Bar Countess Soissons [aged 20] were married. He by marriage Count Soissons. She the daughter of Robert of Bar Count Soissons Count Marle and Jeanne Countess Marle, Soissons and Meaux. He the son of [her father] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and [her mother] Margherita Baux [aged 41]. They were half fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 14th September 1435 [her husband] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 46] died at Rouen Castle [Map] without legitimate issue. Duke Bedford, Duke Bedford, Earl Kendal and Earl Richmond extinct. [her brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 44] became heir to the throne.
Before 1437 Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 31] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and Margherita Baux [aged 42].
Around 1437 [her daughter] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 32] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 22] at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire [Map]. She married (1) 1454 John Grey, son of Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby and Elizabeth Ferrers 6th Baroness Ferrers Groby, and had issue (2) 1st May 1464 her sixth cousin King Edward IV of England, son of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York, and had issue.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Around 1438 [her son] Lewis Woodville was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 33] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 23].
Around 1438 [her daughter] Anne Woodville Viscountess Bourchier was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 33] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 23] at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire [Map]. She married (1) on or before 15th August 1467 William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier, son of Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex, and had issue (2) before 1481 her sixth cousin George Grey 2nd Earl Kent, son of Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent and Katherine Percy, and had issue.
Around 1440 [her son] Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 35] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 25]. He married (1) after 1st May 1464 Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers, daughter of Thomas Scales 7th Baron Scales and Ismayne Whalesburgh Baroness Scales (2) before October 1480 Mary Fitzlewis Countess Rivers.
Around 1445 [her son] John Woodville was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 40] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 30]. He married January 1465 his fifth cousin once removed Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk, daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland.
Around 1445 [her daughter] Jacquetta Woodville Baroness Strange and Mohun was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 40] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 30]. She married 27th March 1450 her sixth cousin John Strange 8th Baron Strange Knockin 4th Baron Mohun Dunster, son of Richard Strange 3rd Baron Dunster 7th Baron Strange Knockin and Elizabeth Cobham Baroness Strange and Mohun, and had issue.
In 1447 [her son] Bishop Lionel Woodville was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 42] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 32] in Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire [Map].
On 9th May 1448 [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 43] was created 1st Baron Rivers by King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 26]. Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 33] by marriage Baroness Rivers.
In 1450 [her son] Lewis Woodville [aged 12] died.
On 27th March 1450 [her son-in-law] John Strange 8th Baron Strange Knockin 4th Baron Mohun Dunster [aged 6] and Jacquetta Woodville Baroness Strange and Mohun [aged 5] were married. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 45] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 35]. They were sixth cousins.
In 1452 [her daughter] Joan aka Eleanor Woodville was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 47] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 37]. She married before 1475 her sixth cousin Anthony Grey, son of Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent and Katherine Percy.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Patent Rolls. 1st February 1452. Grant to Edmund, earl of Richemond [aged 21], the king's uterine brother, in tail male, of the remainder of the third part of the manor of Ludford, co. Lincoln, which Jacquetta, [dowager]duchess of Bedford [aged 37], holds in dower for life of the inheritance of John, duke of Bedford, sometime her husband; grant also to him in tail male of the remaining two parts thereof from Michaelmas last. By K. ete.
In 1453 [her son] Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 48] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 38].
In 1454 [her daughter] Margaret Woodville Countess Arundel was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 49] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 39]. She married 17th February 1466 Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel, son of William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel and Joan Neville Countess Arundel, and had issue.
Around 1454 [her son-in-law] John Grey [aged 22] and Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 49] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 39].
Around 1456 [her daughter] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 51] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 41]. She married William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon, son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux, and had issue.
Around 1456 [her son] Edward Woodville Lord Scales was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 51] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 41].
Around 1458 [her daughter] Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford was born to [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 53] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 43]. She married (1) 1466 Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham and had issue (2) 7th November 1485 her fifth cousin Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford, son of Owen Tudor and Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England (3) 24th January 1496 Richard Wingfield.
On 15th January 1460 Yorkist forces commanded by John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham [aged 27] and Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 31] raided Sandwich, Kent [Map] capturing a number of Lancastrian ships. In addition, the Woodville family: [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 55], his wife Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 45] and their son Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 20] were captured.
Chronicle of Gregory. 15th January 1460. But the Erle of Warwycke [aged 31] come unto Sondewyche [Map], and there he toke the Lord Rivers [aged 55] with his ladye [aged 45], the lady and Duchyes of Bedfordeb and brought them to Calys, for he was commaundyd to have londyd at C[a]lys by the King, but he was brought there sonner then him lekyd.
Note b. Jaquetta, widow of the Regent Bedford. She was the daughter of Peter of Luxemburg, Count of St. Pol, and soon after her first husband's death married Sir Richard Woodville, who was created Baron Rivers by Henry VI. in 1448, and Earl Rivers by Edward IV. (who was his son-in law) in 1466.
After 14th May 1462 [her brother] Louis Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 44] and [her sister-in-law] Maria Savoy [aged 14] were married. The difference in their ages was 30 years. She the daughter of Louis Savoy I Count Savoy [aged 49] and Anne Cyprus Countess Savoy [aged 43]. He the son of [her father] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and [her mother] Margherita Baux [aged 68].
On 1st May 1464 [her son-in-law] King Edward IV of England [aged 22] and Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 27] were married at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire [Map]. Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 49], Elizabeth's mother, being the only witness. The date not certain. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 59] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford. He the son of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York [aged 48]. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.
Memoires Jacques du Clercq. Around this time, Edward, King of England, called Edward of the long legs, and regarded as one of the finest knights in England, took in marriage the daughter of the Lord Rivers, an English knight of relatively modest birth compared to the king. In his youth, this knight had been sent into France to serve the wife [Jacquetta of Luxembourg] of the Duke of Bedford, brother of King Henry and regent of France for his nephew Henry, who had been crowned King of France in Paris at a very young age after his father's death. This duchess was the daughter of the Count of Saint-Pol and was held to be a very virtuous lady. After the death of her husband the regent, this lady, without counsel and against the wishes of all her friends, and especially of the Cardinal of Rouen, her uncle, married the said Lord Rivers. He took her to England, and neither he nor she ever dared return to France, for fear of her relatives. She bore him several children, among them the lady [Elizabeth Woodville] of whom I have spoken, whom King Edward married for her beauty and out of love; and it was said that she was the most beautiful woman one could see, and rumour had it that he had already been intimate with her before the marriage. The Mayor of London and other English lords were displeased with this marriage, and it was said that the mayor declared that before she was crowned it would cost ten thousand men. The king, informed of this, took no heed and married her, saying he would have her crowned. Before marrying her, he sent to request of the Count of Charolais that he would do him the honour of sending some lords of her kin and friends, so that it might not be thought that she was not of noble birth. The count sent Jacques of Saint-Pol, brother of the Count of Saint-Pol and uncle to the queen, accompanied by knights and noblemen numbering about a hundred horse. He gave Jacques six hundred crowns, and to each knight or gentleman a hundred crowns, so that they might be honourably entertained in England. They were honourably received there, and the king showed them great hospitality. There were many jousts and entertainments, for Jacques had in his company noblemen capable of all kinds of diversions, whether in arms, jousting, tournaments, running at the barriers, playing tennis, and all other pastimes. After the king had magnificently entertained him, Jacques returned to the Count of Charolais. It was said that the chief reason why the count had sent him to England was to secure the aid of the King of England, if need arose, against his enemies, or at least to ensure that he would not act against him. For he had been informed that the King of France had sought to make peace and alliance with the King of England in order to harm him and certain lords of France; and this alliance had been pursued by the Lord of Lannoy, who, as was said, had been sent into England on behalf of the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy. However, King Edward would not agree to this alliance, but instead sent to the Duke of Burgundy the letters that the King of France had written to him, and reported everything that the Lord of Lannoy had attempted to do. At this the duke was greatly astonished, and from that time began to mistrust the king and others. It was also said that, at his departure, King Edward told Jacques of Saint-Pol that if the Count of Charolais had need, he would assist and support him with men-at-arms and otherwise.
Environ ce temps, Edouard, roy d'Angleterre, lequel on nommoit Edouard aux longues jambes, et estoit un des beaux chevalliers d'Angleterre, prist a marriage la fille du sieur de la Riviere, ung chevallier d'Angleterre, lequel estoit chevallier d'assés petite extraction au regard du roy; mais en sa jeunesse, pour ce qu'il estoit fort beau chevallier, fust envoyé en Franche pour servir la femme du duc de Betefort, frere du roy Henry et regent de Franche, pour son nepveu Henry qui avoit esté courronné roy de Franche a Paris, moult josne, après la mort du roy son pere; laquelle duchesse estoit fille du comte de St Pol, et moult estoit bonne dame. Icelle dame après la mort du regent son mary, sans conseil et contre la volonté de touts ses amys, et par especial du cardinal de Rouen, son oncle, prist en marriage et epousa ledit chevallier St de la Riviere, lequel l'emmena au pays d'Angleterre, ne oncques ne lui ne oserent revenir en Franche, pour le doubte des amys d'elle. Icelle dame olt d'icelluy sieur de la Riviere plusieurs enfants, et entre les aultres icelle dame dont j'ai parlé, laquelle le roy Edouard prist pour sa beauté et par amourette, et disoit on que c'estoit la plus belle que on pooit veoir, et courroit la voix que ains qui prosist, il avoit eu sa compagnie. Le mayeur de Londres et aultres sieurs d'Angleterre feurent mal contents de ce marriage, et deubt le mayeur dire, comme la voix en courroit, que ains qu'elle fust courronnée, il cousteroit dix mille hommes. Le roy de ce adverti n'en tint compte et l'epousa, et dit qu'il la feroit courronner, et ainchois qu'il l'epousat, envoya requerir au comte de Charollois, qu'il lui volsit faire celle honneur, que il lui envoyat aulcuns sieurs des amys d'elle et de son sang, adfin que on ne pensat pas qu'elle ne fust de noble lieu et de noble sang; lequel comte y envoya Jacques de St Pol, frere du comte de St Pol et oncle a icelle royne, accompagnié de chevalliers et nobles hommes, jusques au nombre de cent chevaulx ou environ, et donna audit Jacques six cens courronnes, et a chacun chevallier ou gentilhomme, cent courronnes pour eulx festoyer honorablement en Angleterre, et fust honorablement receu en Angleterre, et lui feit le roy grande chiere et a eulx touts, et feirent des joustes et esbattemens plusieurs, car icelluy Jacques avoit en sa compagnie de nobles hommes, pour faire touts esbattemens, fuissent armes, joustes, tournois, courres aux barres, jouer a la palme et touts aultres desduits. Après que le roy l'olt festoyé moult grandement, et tant qu'on ne polroit plus, il retourna devers le comte de Charollois, et disoit on que la cause principale pourquoy le comte de Charollois le avoit envoyé en Angle terre, estoit adfin de avoir ayde du roy d'Angleterre, se besoing estoit, contre ses ennemys, au moings qu'il ne le volsit nuire; car il estoit adverti que le roy de Franche avoit voullu avoir paix et allianche a lui, pour lui nuire, et aulcuns sieurs de Franche, et ceste paix et allianche avoit cuidé de faire le sieur de Lannoy, lequel comme on disoit avoit esté envoyé en Angleterre de par le roy de Franche et le duc de Bourgogne; a laquelle paix ne allianche, le roy Edouard ne volt entendre, mais envoya au duc de Bourgogne les lettres que le roy de Franche luy avoit escript, et rescript au duc tout ce que le Sr de Lannoy avoit cuidé faire, dont le duc fust moult esbahy, et deslors se commencha a doubter du roy et aultres; on disoit encoires que le roy Edouard dit a Jacques de St Pol au partir, que si le comte de Charollois avoit affaire, que il le secourroit et ayderoit de gens de guerre et aultrement.
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.
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After 1st May 1464 Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 24] and Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers were married. He by marriage Baron Scales. See Woodville Marriages. He the son of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 59] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 49].
In January 1465 John Woodville [aged 20] and Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk [aged 65] were married. Described as a 'Diabolical Marriage' by opponents of the Woodvilles. He being nineteen, she sixty-five. His first wife, her fourth husband. Regarded as an example of the Woodville family increasing their wealth and power. See Woodville Marriages The difference in their ages was 45 years; she, unusually, being older than him. She the daughter of Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland. He the son of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 60] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 50]. They were fifth cousin once removed. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1466 [her son-in-law] Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham [aged 11] and Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford [aged 8] were married. She by marriage Duchess of Buckingham. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 51].
On 17th February 1466 [her son-in-law] Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel [aged 16] and Margaret Woodville Countess Arundel [aged 12] were married. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 51]. He the son of William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel [aged 48] and Joan Neville Countess Arundel.
Before March 1466 [her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] was created 1st Earl Rivers by [her son-in-law] King Edward IV of England [aged 23].
On 1st September 1466 a double wedding ceremony was held whereby two siblings, children of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke [aged 43] married:
[her son-in-law] William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 15] and Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 10] were married. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 51]. He the son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux [aged 36].
Thomas Talbot 2nd Viscount Lisle [aged 17] and Margaret Herbert Viscountess Lisle were married. She the daughter of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux. They were half fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England.
In 1467 Thomas Cooke was charged with high treason for lending money to Margaret [aged 36], the queen of the deposed Lancastrian King Henry VI [aged 45], on the strength of a confession of a statement obtained under torture from one Hawkins. Chief Justice Markham directed the jury to find it only misprision of treason, whereby Cooke's lands and life were saved, though he was heavily fined and long imprisoned. While awaiting his trial in the Tower his effects, both at his town house and at Gidea Hall [Map], were seized by [her husband] Lord Rivers [aged 62], then treasurer of England, and his wife was committed to the custody of the mayor. On his acquittal he was sent to the Bread Street compter [Map], and afterwards to the king's bench [Map], and was kept there until he paid eight thousand pounds to the [her son-in-law] king [aged 24] and eight hundred pounds to the [her daughter] queen [aged 30]. Lord Rivers and his wife [aged 52], the Duchess of Bedford, also obtained the dismissal of Markham from his office for having determined that Cooke was not guilty of treason.
On or before 15th August 1467 [her son-in-law] William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier [aged 37] and Anne Woodville Viscountess Bourchier [aged 29] were married. An example of a Woodville marriage to a wealthy family which antagonised the nobility - see Woodville Marriages. William Bourchier Viscount Bourchier was heir to his father Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex [aged 63]. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 62] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 52]. He the son of Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex [aged 58].
On 12th August 1469 Woodvilles father and son were beheaded at Kenilworth Castle [Map] by supporters of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 40].
[her husband] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 64] was beheaded. His son Anthony [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Earl Rivers, 2nd Baron Rivers. Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers by marriage Countess Rivers.
John Woodville [aged 24] was beheaded.
On 15th November 1469 [her mother] Margherita Baux [aged 75] died.
Patent Rolls. 21st February 1470. Exemplification, at the supplication of Jaquetta, duchess of Bedford [aged 55], late, the wife of Richard, earl of Ryvers, of the tenour of an act in the great council, remaining in the office of the privy seal in the chamber of the great council called 'le Parlment chambre' within the palace of Westminster, made on 10 February, 9 Edward IV. In the presence of the king and the cardinal archbishop of Canterbury, the archbishop of York, the bishops of Bath, chancellor, Ely, treasurer, Rochester, keeper of the privy seal, London, Durham and Carlisle, the earls of Warwick, Essex, Northumberland, Shrewsbury and Kent, and the lords Hastings, Mountjoye, Lyle, Cromwell, Scrope of Bolton, Saye and others a supplication addressed to the king on behalf of the said duchess and two schedules in paper annexed were openly read, and afterwards his highness by the advice of the said lords of the council accepting the declaration of the said lady commanded the same to be enacted of record and letters of exemplification to be made. The tenours of the supplication and schedules above mentioned ensue in this wise. The duchess complains that Thomas Wake, esquire, in the time of the late trouble caused her to be brought in a common noise and slander of witchcraft throughout a great part of the realm, insomuch as he caused to be brought to Warwick to divers of the lords present when the king was last there an image of lead made like a man of arms of the length of a man's finger broken in the middle and made fast with a wire, saying that it was made by her to use with witchcraft and sorcery, and for the performing of his malicious intent entreated one John Daunger, parish clerk of Stoke Brewerne, co. Northampton, to say that there were two other images made by her, one for the king and one for the queen, whereunto the said John Daunger neither could nor would be entreated, and the king commanded the said Wake and John Daunger to attend upon the bishop of Carlisle, the earl of Northumberland, the lords Hastyuges and Mountjoye and Master Roger Radcliff to be examined, and their examination is here annexed, and in the great council on 19 January last she was cleared of the said slander, wherefore she prays that the same may be enacted of record. Thomas Wake says that this image was shown and left in Stoke with an honest person who delivered it to the clerk of the church and so showed it to divers neighbours after to the parson in the church openly to men both of Schytlanger and Stoke and after it was shown in Sewrisley, a nunnery, and to many other persons, and of all this he heard or wist nothing till after it was sent him by Thomas Kymbell from the said clerk. John Daunger of Shetyllanger said that Thomas Wake sent to him one Thomas Kymbell, then his bailiff, and bad the said John send him the image of lead that he had and so he sent it, at which time he heard no witchcraft of the lady of Bedford, and that the image was delivered to him by one Harry Kyngeston of Stoke, who found it in his house after the departing of soldiers, and that the said Thomas Wake after he came from London from the king sent for him and said that he had excused himself and laid all the blame on John and bad him say that he durst not keep the image and for that cause sent it to Thomas and also bad him say that there were two other images, one for the king and one for the queen, but he refused to say so. English. [Rolls of Parliament, VI. 232.] By p.s. [3033.]
Letters. 1471. Letter XXXVIII. Anne Countess of Warwick [aged 14] to the House of Commons.
To the right worshipful and discreet Commons of this present Parliament.
Sheweth unto your wisdoms and discretions the king's true liege woman, Anne countess of Warwick, which never offended his most redoubted highness; for she, immediately after the death of her lord and husband [aged 17] - on whose soul God have mercy - for none offence by her done, but dreading only trouble, being that time within this realm, entered into the sanctuary of Beaulieu [Map] for surety of her person, to dispose for the weal and health of the soul of her said lord and husband, as right and conscience required her so to do; making within five days, or near thereabouts, after her entry into the said sanctuary, her labours, suits, and means to the king's highness for her safeguard, to be had as diligently and effectually as her power would extend. She not ceasing, but after her power continiling in such labours, suits, and means, insomuch that, in absence of clerks, she hath written letters in that behalf to the king's highness with her own hand, and not only making such labours, suits, and means to the king's highness, soothly also to the queen's [aged 34] good grace, to my right redoubted lady the king's mother, to my lady the king's eldest daughter, to my lords the king's brethren, to my ladies the king's sisters, to my lady of Bedford [aged 56], mother to the queen, and to other ladies noble of this realm; in which labours, suits, and means, she hath continued hitherto, and so will continue, as she owes to do, till it may please the king, of his most good and noble grace, to have consideration that, during the life of her said lord and husband, she was covert baron, which point she remits to your great wisdoms, and that after his decease, all the time of her being in the said sainctuary, she hath duly kept her fidelity and liegeance, and obeyed the king's commandments. Howbeity it hath pleased the king's highness, by some sinister information to his said highness made, to direct his most dread letters to the abbot of the monastery of Beaulieu, with right sharp commandment that such persons as his highness sent to the said monastery should have guard and strait keeping of her person, which was and is to her great heart's grievance, she specially fearing that the privileges and liberties of the church, by such keeping of her person, might be interrupted and violated, where the privileges of the said sanctuary were never so largely attempted unto this time, as is said; yet the said Anne and Countess, under protestations by her made, hath suffered strait keeping of her person and yet doth, that her fidelity and liegeance to the king's highness the better might be understood, hoping she might the rather have had largess to make suits to the king's highness in her own person for her livelihood and rightful inheritance, which livelihood and inheritance, with all revenues and profits thereto pertaining, with her jointure also, and dower of the earldom of Salisbury, fully and wholly hath been restrained from her, from the time of the death of her said lord and husband unto this day. And forasmuch as our sovereign lord the king of his great grace hath set and assembled his high court of Parliament for reformations, right, and equity to all his subjects and liege people duly to be ministered, the said Anne and Countess humbly beseecheth your great wisdom to ponder and weigh in your consciences her right and true title of her inheritance, as the earldom of Warwick and Spencer's lands, to which she is rightfully born by lineal succession, and also her jointure and dower of the earldom of Salisbury aforesaid. And to shew her your benevolence, that by the king's good grace and authority of this his noble Parliament she may to her foresaid livelihood and rightful inheritance duly be restored and it enjoy, as the laws of Almighty God and of this noble realm, right, also, and conscience doth require; beseeching heartily your great goodnesses, in the reverence of Almighty God and of his most blessed mother, will of grace to consider the poor estate she stands in, how in her own person she may not solicit the premises as she would, an she might, nor is of power any sufficient solicitor in this behalf to make; and though she might, as (she; may not, there is none that dare take it upon him; to have also this poor bill in your tender remembrance, that your perfect charity and good will may solicit the eflFect of the same, which to do, her power at this time may not extend. And shall pray and do pray to God for you.
In 1472 [her sister] Isabelle Luxemburg Countess Maine died.
On 30th May 1472 Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 57] died. Not known where she was buried.
The History of King Richard the Third by Thomas More. But now was all the labor and study in the device of some appropriate pretext for which the people should be content to depose the Prince and accept the Protector for king, for which diverse things they devised. But the chief thing, and the most weighty of all that invention, rested in this: they should allege bastardy, either in King Edward himself, or in his children, or both, so that he should seem unable to inherit the crown by the Duke of York, and the Prince by him. To lay bastardy in King Edward sounded openly to the rebuke of the Protector's own mother, who was mother to them both; for in that point could be none other color, but to pretend that his own mother was one adulteress, which, not withstanding, to further his purpose he omitted not; but nevertheless, he would the point should be less and more favorably handled, not even fully plain and directly, but that the matter should be touched upon, craftily, as though men spared, in that point, to speak all the truth for fear of his displeasure. But the other point, concerning the bastardy that they devised to surmise in King Edward's children, that would he be openly declared and enforced to the uttermost. The color and pretext whereof cannot be well perceived but if we first repeat to you some things long before done about King Edward's marriage.
After King Edward the Fourth had deposed King Henry the Sixth and was in peaceful possession of the realm, determining himself to marry, as it was requisite both for himself and for the realm, he sent over in embassy the Earl of Warwick with other noble men in his company unto Spain to entreat and conclude a marriage between King Edward and the king's daughter of Spain. In which thing the Earl of Warwick found the parties so toward and willing that he speedily, according to his instructions, without any difficulty brought the matter to a very good conclusion.
Now it happened in the meanwhile that there came to make a suit by petition to the King, Dame Elizabeth Gray, who was after his Queen, at that time a widow born of noble blood, specially by her mother, who was Duchess of Bedford before she married the Lord Woodville, Elizabeth's father. However, this Dame Elizabeth, herself being in service with Queen Margaret, wife unto King Henry the Sixth, was married unto one John Gray, a squire, whom King Henry made knight upon the battlefield where he had fought on Shrove Tuesday at Saint Albans against King Edward. And little while enjoyed he that knighthood, for he was at the same field slain. After he had died, and the Earl of Warwick being in his embassy about the before mentioned marriage, this poor lady made humble suit unto the King that she might be restored unto such small lands as her late husband had given her during their marriage. Whom when the King beheld and heard her speak, as she was both fair, of a good favor, moderate of stature, well made and very wise, he not only pitied her, but also grew enamored with her. And taking her afterward secretly aside, began to enter into talking more familiarly. Whose appetite, when she perceived it, she virtuously denied him. But that did she so wisely, and with so good manner, and words so well set, that she rather kindled his desire than quenched it. And finally after many a meeting, much wooing, and many great promises, she well spied the King's affection toward her so greatly increased that she dared somewhat the more boldly say her mind, as to him whose heart she perceived more firmly set than to fall off for a word. And in conclusion she showed him plain that as she knew herself too simple to be his wife, so thought she herself too good to be his concubine. The King, much marveling at her constancy, as he that had not been wont elsewhere to be so stiffly told nay, so much esteemed her continence and chastity that he set her virtue in the place of possession and riches. And thus taking counsel of his desire, determined in all possible haste to marry her. And after he was thus resolved, and there had between them an agreement been assured, then asked he counsel of his other friends, and in such manner, as they might easily perceive it remedied not greatly to say nay.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Waleran I of Luxemburg 
5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Waleran II of Luxemburg 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Dame Beaurevoir
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Lord of Ligby 7 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Guy of Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and Ligny 8 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guillaume Dampierre 
5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guy of Dampierre Richebourg 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alix Clermont 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alix Dampierre 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
GrandFather: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Chatillon III Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guy Chatillon IV Count Saint Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Jean Chatillon Count Saint Pol Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John II Duke Brittany 
5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marie Capet Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Plantagenet 
Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mathilde Chatillon Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fiennes 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Jean Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Beaumont 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jeanne Fiennes 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre Count Flanders 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabelle Dampierre 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabelle Luxemburg Countess Flanders 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Father: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis Count of Enghien
GrandMother: Margaret Brienne
Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
GrandFather: Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria 
Mother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Romano Orsini
Great x 2 Grandfather: Count Roberto Orsini 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Montfort Count Nola Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anastasia Montfort Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margherita Aldobrandesca
Great x 1 Grandfather: Count Nicholas Orsini 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sueva del Balzo
GrandMother: Sueva Orsini 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jeanne Sabran