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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Paternal Family Tree: Guelders
Maternal Family Tree: Marie Swabia Duchess Brabant
On 11th January 1311 [his father] Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders (age 16) and Sophia Berthout Berthout were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Reginald I Count Guelders (age 56) and [his grandmother] Margaret Dampierre Countess Guelders (age 39).
In May 1332 [his father] Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders (age 37) and [his mother] Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 13) were married at Nijmegen [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Guelders. His second marriage; he had four daughters from his first marriage. He subsequently sent her from court to Deventer Abbey [Map] in 1336 under the pretext that she had leprosy. He subsequently tried to annul the marriage but she contested the annulment by proving she wasn't a leper. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Edward II of England and [his grandmother] Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 37). He the son of [his grandfather] Reginald I Count Guelders and [his grandmother] Margaret Dampierre Countess Guelders. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Stephen I England.
On 13th May 1333 Reginald III Duke Guelders was born to Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders (age 38) and Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 14). He a grandson of King Edward II of England.
On 12th October 1343 [his father] Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders (age 48) died from a fall from a horse at Arnhem [Map]. His son Reginald (age 10) succeeded III Duke Guelders. His wife acted as Regent to her nine year old son for two years.
On 1st July 1347 Reginald III Duke Guelders (age 14) and Marie of Brabant Duchess of Guelders (age 22) were married. She the daughter of John Brabant III Duke Brabant (age 47) and Marie Évreux Duchess of Brabant. He the son of Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders and Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 29). They were second cousins. He a grandson of King Edward II of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
In or before 1348 Louis of Male III Count Nevers II Count Flanders (age 17) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret of Brabant Countess Nevers and Flanders (age 24) were married. She by marriage Countess Nevers, Countess Flanders. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] John Brabant III Duke Brabant (age 47) and Marie Évreux Duchess of Brabant. He the son of Louis Dampierre II Count Nevers I Count Flanders and Margaret Capet Countess Nevers amd Flanders (age 38). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 22nd April 1355 [his mother] Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet (age 36) died. She was buried at Deventer Abbey [Map].
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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On 5th December 1355 [his father-in-law] John Brabant III Duke Brabant (age 55) died. His daughter [his sister-in-law] Joanna (age 33) succeeded as Duchess Brabant.
In 1361 [his brother] Edward Duke Guelders (age 24) succeeded Duke Guelders when he captured and imprisoned his brother Reginald III Duke Guelders (age 27).
After 24th August 1371 Reginald III Duke Guelders (age 38) was released from prison and became Duke Guelders for the brief period before his death four months later.
On 4th December 1371 Reginald III Duke Guelders (age 38) died without issue. The Duke Guelders title passed to his sisters and their husband's resulting in a war of succession with William Jülich 3rd Duke Guelders 3rd Duke Jülich (age 7), son of his sister [his half-sister] Marie Guelders Duchess Jülich eventually succeeding.
On 1st March 1399 [his former wife] Marie of Brabant Duchess of Guelders (age 74) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings England: Grand Son of King Edward II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 4 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 13 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry I Count Guelders
Great x 3 Grandfather: Otto I Count Guelders
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Arnstein Countess Guelders
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gerard III Count Guelders
Great x 4 Grandfather: Otto Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Richardis Wittelsbach Countess Guelders
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Loon Duchess Bavaria
Great x 1 Grandfather: Otto II Count Guelders 2 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Godfrey Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine I Duke Brabant
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Luxemburg Duchess Lower Lorraine 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Reginar Countess Guelders Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Matthew Metz Count Boulogne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Metz Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Blois I Countess Boulogne 
Daughter of King Stephen I England
GrandFather: Reginald I Count Guelders 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alberic Dammartin
Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon Dammartin
Great x 4 Grandfather: Renaud II Count Clermont
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mathilde Clermont
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide I Countess Vermandois
Great x 1 Grandmother: Philippe Dammartin Countess Eu
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montgomery I Count Ponthieu
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Montgomery IV Count Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice St Pol Countess Ponthieu
Great x 2 Grandmother: Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis VII King of the Franks 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance of Castile Queen of the Franks 
Father: Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dampierre 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Dampierre II Count Flanders
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archambaud Bouron
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mathilde Bouron
Great x 1 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre Count Flanders 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut
Great x 3 Grandfather: Baldwin IX Count Flanders VI Count Hainaut
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret II Countess Flanders 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Blois I Count Champagne Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marie Blois Countess Flanders 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Capet Countess Champagne
GrandMother: Margaret Dampierre Countess Guelders 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Luxemburg III Duke Limburg
Great x 3 Grandfather: Waleran Luxemburg III Duke Limburg
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sophia Saarbrücken Duchess Limburg
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry "Great" Luxemburg V Count Luxemburg III Count Namur
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Blind" Namur IV Count Luxemburg I Count Namur
Great x 3 Grandmother: Erminsende Namur Countess of Bar
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Guelders Countess Namur and Luxemburg
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabelle Luxemburg Countess Flanders 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald of Bar I Count of Bar 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry of Bar II Count of Bar 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Erminsende of Bar Sur Seine Countess Bar
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret of Bar Countess Luxemburg and Namur 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet II Count Dreux
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Capet Countess of Bar
Great x 4 Grandmother: Yolande Coucy Countess Dreux
Reginald II Duke Guelders Grand Son of King Edward II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 
Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King John of England Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Raymond IV Count Provence
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy
GrandFather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Leon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Urraca Burgundy Queen Consort Leon 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile
Great x 3 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alberic Dammartin
Great x 3 Grandfather: Simon Dammartin
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Clermont
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Montgomery IV Count Ponthieu
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marie Montgomery Countess Ponthieu
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu
Mother: Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet Daughter of King Edward II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Louis VIII of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Louis IX of France Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Philip III of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Raymond IV Count Provence
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Provence Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Philip IV of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: James I King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Montpellier Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary
Great x 3 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon
GrandMother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald Blois III Count Champagne 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Theobald IV King Navarre 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry I King Navarre 4 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archambaud "Great" Dampierre
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Bourbon Queen Consort Navarre
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alix Forez
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Louis VIII of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Reginar II Duke Brabant Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Swabia Duchess Brabant