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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Earl Arran is in Earl.
In March 1609 James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton (age 20) succeeded 3rd Earl Arran. Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton (age 24) by marriage Countess Arran.
In 1475 James Hamilton 1st Earl Arran was created 1st Earl Arran. Elizabeth Home Countess Arran by marriage Countess Arran.
In 1529 James Hamilton 1st Earl Arran (age 54) died. His son James (age 13) succeeded 2nd Earl Arran.
In 1532 James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 16) and Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault were married. She by marriage Countess Arran. She the daughter of James Douglas 3rd Earl Morton and Catherine Stewart Countess Morton (age 37). He the son of James Hamilton 1st Earl Arran and Elizabeth Home Countess Arran. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 22nd January 1575 James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran (age 59) died. His son James (age 43) succeeded 3rd Earl Arran.
In 1579 James Hamilton 3rd Earl Arran (age 47) was attainted. Earl Arran forfeit.
In 1585 John Hamilton 1st Marquess Hamilton (age 50) was restored 4th Earl Arran.
On 22nd April 1581 James Stewart 1st Earl Arran was created 1st Earl Arran.
After 19th May 1581 James Stewart 1st Earl Arran and Elizabeth Stewart Countess Arran Countess Lennox and March (age 32) were married. She by marriage Countess Arran. She the daughter of John Stewart 4th Earl Atholl and Elizabeth Gordon Countess Atholl. They were half fourth cousins.
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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On 5th December 1595 James Stewart 1st Earl Arran was murdered by Sir James Douglas of Parkhead, nephew of Regent Morton. Earl Arran extinct.
In May 1662 Richard Butler 1st Earl Arran (age 22) was created 1st Earl Arran.
In September 1664 Richard Butler 1st Earl Arran (age 25) and Mary Stewart Countess Arran (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Arran. She the daughter of James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond and Mary Villiers Duchess Lennox Duchess Richmond (age 42). He the son of James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 53) and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 49). They were half fifth cousin once removed.
Before 19th February 1674 Richard Butler 1st Earl Arran (age 34) and Dorothy Ferrers Countess Arran (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Arran. He the son of James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 63) and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 58).
Around 26th April 1467 Thomas Boyd 1st Earl Arran was created 1st Earl Arran by his father, Regent Robert Boyd 1st Lord Boyd (age 47).