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 Ashburham is in Earl.
On 14th May 1730 John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham [aged 43] was created 1st Earl Ashburham. Jemima Grey Countess Ashburham [aged 31] by marriage Countess Ashburham.
On 10th March 1737 John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham [aged 49] died. He was buried at St Peter's Church, Ashburnham [Map]. His son John [aged 12] succeeded 2nd Earl Ashburham, 4th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex
On 25th June 1756 John Ashburnham 2nd Earl Ashburnham [aged 31] and Elizabeth Crowley Countess Ashburham were married. She by marriage Countess Ashburham. He the son of John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham and Jemima Grey Countess Ashburham.
On 8th April 1812 John Ashburnham 2nd Earl Ashburnham [aged 87] died. His son George [aged 51] succeeded 3rd Earl Ashburham, 5th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex. Charlotte Percy Countess Ashburham [aged 36] by marriage Countess Ashburham.
On 27th October 1830 George Ashburnham 3rd Earl Ashburnham [aged 69] died. His son Bertram [aged 32] succeeded 4th Earl Ashburham, 6th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.
In 1840 Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham [aged 42] and Katherine Charlotte Baillie Countess Ashburnham [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Ashburham. They had four daughters and seven sons. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of George Ashburnham 3rd Earl Ashburnham and Charlotte Percy Countess Ashburham [aged 64].
On 22nd June 1878 Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham [aged 80] died. His son Bertram [aged 37] succeeded 5th Earl Ashburham, 7th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.
In 1888 Bertram Ashburnham 5th Earl Ashburnham [aged 47] and Emily Chapman Countess Asburnham were married. She by marriage Countess Ashburham. He the son of Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham and Katherine Charlotte Baillie Countess Ashburnham [aged 68].
On 15th January 1913 Bertram Ashburnham 5th Earl Ashburnham [aged 72] died in Paris. His brother Thomas [aged 57] succeeded 6th Earl Ashburham, 8th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.
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 12th May 1924 Thomas Ashburnham 6th Earl Ashburnham [aged 69] died. He was buried at St Peter's Church, Ashburnham [Map]. Earl Ashburham, Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex extinct.