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: Stewart
Maternal Family Tree: Helen Home Lady Hailes 1427-1513
In December 1562 Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell was born to [his father] John "Lord Darnley" Stewart (age 31) and [his mother] Jean Hepburn. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In November 1563 [his father] John "Lord Darnley" Stewart (age 32) died.
Before 1567 [his step-father] John Sinclair and [his mother] Jean Hepburn were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell and [his grandmother] Agnes Sinclair Countess Bothwell. He the son of George Sinclair 4th Earl Caithness and Elizabeth Graham Countess Caithness (age 46). They were half third cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 1st December 1577 Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell (age 15) and Margaret Douglas Countess Bothwell were married. She by marriage Countess Bothwell. She the daughter of David Douglas 7th Earl Angus and Margaret Hamilton Countess Angus (age 52). They were half second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In April 1578 [his uncle] James "Lord Bothwell" Hepburn 1st Duke Orkney (age 44) died at Dragsholm Castle. His nephew Francis (age 15) succeeded 5th Earl Bothwell at Great Hall Stirling Castle.
In 1582 George Sinclair 4th Earl Caithness died. His grandson [his half-brother] George (age 11) succeeded 5th Earl Caithness.
22nd August 1582. The Raid of Ruthven was a plot by several nobles led by William Ruthven 1st Earl Gowrie (age 39) to kidnap the fifteen years old King James VI of Scotland (age 16), son of [his aunt] Mary Queen of Scots (age 39), (before he became King of England) to reform the government of Scotland.
The nobles included John Erskine 19th Earl of Mar (age 20), Thomas Lyon Master of Glamis, Robert Boyd 5th Lord Boyd (age 65), Patrick Lindsay 6th Lord Lindsay of the Byres (age 61), and David Erskine Commendator of Dryburgh.
They were opposed by Esme Stewart 1st Duke Lennox (age 40) and James Stewart 1st Earl Arran who controlled the government.
King James VI of Scotland was captured whilst hunting near Ruthven Castle.
The rebels were joined by Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell (age 19) and James Cunningham 7th Earl Glencairn (age 30).
Esme Stewart 1st Duke Lennox was exiled; he died a year later in Paris. James Stewart 1st Earl Arran was imprisoned.
On 29th July 1585 [his half-brother] George Sinclair 5th Earl Caithness (age 14) and [his sister-in-law] Jean Gordon (age 25) were married. She the daughter of George Gordon 5th Earl Huntley and Anne Hamilton Countess Huntley. They were half fourth cousins.
In 1589 John Fleming 2nd Earl Wigtown was born to John Fleming 1st Earl Wigtown (age 22) and Lilias Graham Countess Graham. He was baptised on 5th December 1589 at Kincardine Castle - Ludovic Stewart 2nd Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 14) and Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell (age 26) attended. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.25%. He married before 2nd September 1609 his second cousin Margaret Livingston Countess Wigtown, daughter of Alexander Livingston 1st Earl Linlithgow and Helen Hay, and had issue.
Calendar of State Papers Domestic Series Elizabeth I Addenda. 29th May 1594. Newcastle. 18. Lionel Maddison (age 57), Mayor of Newcastle, to Sir Robt. Cecil (age 30). Earl Bothwell (age 31) was lately in Newcastle, but he did not take jewels from those thieves there that robbed the Scottish Queen, as your letter pretends; the manner of taking those jewels and staying the thieves I liave formerly made known to you. According to Her Highness' pleasure, I have inquired who lodged the Earl here, and find that at his last being in this town, he was lodged in the house of John Carr, a common inn; Carr being in prison at York, I have committed his wife to prison till Her Majesty's pleasure is known.
I find that the Earl has heretofore lodged at Wm. Selby's house, but did not lodge there at his last coming. The Earl left on the 14th inst., and I cannot learn that he has lodged in any other houses in this town, save these two. 2/3 page.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Before 27th July 1599 [his mother] Jean Hepburn died at Caithness.
In November 1612 Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell (age 49) died.
[his father] John "Lord Darnley" Stewart and [his mother] Jean Hepburn were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell and [his grandmother] Agnes Sinclair Countess Bothwell. He the illegitmate son of [his grandfather] King James V of Scotland and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Carmichael. They were half third cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 5 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: King James I of Scotland
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King James II of Scotland
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King James III of Scotland
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnold Egmont Duke Guelders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine de la Marck 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: King James IV of Scotland
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Dietrich Count of Oldenburg
Great x 3 Grandfather: Christian I King of Denmark
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Oldenburg Queen Consort Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "The Alchemist" Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothea of Brandenburg
Great x 4 Grandmother: Barbara of Saxe-Wittenberg
GrandFather: King James V of Scotland
Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Owen Tudor 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Tudor 1st Earl Richmond 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Henry VII of England and Ireland
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset
Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Tudor Queen Scotland
Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York
Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward IV of England
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth York Queen Consort England
Daughter of King Edward IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Father: John "Lord Darnley" Stewart
Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
GrandMother: Elizabeth Carmichael
Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell
2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Hepburn
Great x 3 Grandfather: Adam Hepburn 1st Lord Hailes
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ellen Wallace
Great x 2 Grandfather: Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Home 1st Lord Home
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Home Lady Hailes
Great x 1 Grandfather: Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell 12 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Gordon 1st Earl Huntley 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Gordon 2nd Earl Huntley 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Crichton Countess Huntley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Gordon Countess Bothwell 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart of Innermeath 3rd of Lorn
Great x 3 Grandfather: James "Black Knight of Lorn" Stewart
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Macdougall
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Stewart 1st Earl Buchan
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset
Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Stewart Countess Bothwell
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Jean Hepburn 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sinclair 2nd Lord Sinclair 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archibald Douglas 1st Duke Touraine
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stewart Duchess Touraine
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Sinclair 3rd Lord Sinclair 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandMother: Agnes Sinclair Countess Bothwell 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Adam Hepburn of Hailes
Great x 3 Grandfather: Patrick Hepburn
Great x 4 Grandmother: Janet Borthwick
Great x 2 Grandfather: Adam Hepburn 1st Lord Hailes
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ellen Wallace
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Hepburn
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alexander Home 1st Lord Home
Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen Home Lady Hailes