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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Aberffraw
Hywel "Dda aka Good" and Elen Dyfed Queen Consort Seisyllwg Queen Consort Deheubarth were married. She the daughter of Llywarch ap Hyfaidd King Dyfed. He the son of Cadell ap Rhodri King Seisyllwg.
Hywel "Dda aka Good" succeeded King Deheubarth. Elen Dyfed Queen Consort Seisyllwg Queen Consort Deheubarth by marriage Queen Consort Deheubarth.
Around 880 Hywel "Dda aka Good" was born to [his father] Cadell ap Rhodri King Seisyllwg (age 26).
Around 904 Llywarch ap Hyfaidd King Dyfed was killed by Hywel "Dda aka Good" (age 24) and his father [his father] Cadell ap Rhodri King Seisyllwg (age 50). His brother Rhodri succeeded King Dyfed.
In 909 [his father] Cadell ap Rhodri King Seisyllwg (age 55) died.
In 920 Hywel "Dda aka Good" (age 40) succeeded King Seisyllwg. Elen Dyfed Queen Consort Seisyllwg Queen Consort Deheubarth by marriage Queen Consort Seisyllwg.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 926. This year appeared fiery lights in the northern part of the firmament; and Sihtric departed; and King Athelstan (age 32) took to the kingdom of Northumbria, and governed all the kings that were in this island:-First, Howel, King of West-Wales (age 46); and Constantine, King of the Scots; and Owen, King of Monmouth; and Aldred, the son of Eadulf, of Bamburgh. And with covenants and oaths they ratified their agreement in the place called Emmet, on the fourth day before the ides of July; and renounced all idolatry, and afterwards returned in peace.
In 928 Hywel "Dda aka Good" (age 48) went on pilgrimage to Rome, Italy [Map].
In 950 Hywel "Dda aka Good" (age 70) died. His son Owain succeeded King Deheubarth.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
[his son] Rhodri ap Hywel King Deheubarth was born to Hywel "Dda aka Good" .
[his son] Edwin ap Hywel King Deheubarth was born to Hywel "Dda aka Good" .
[his daughter] Edwin ap Hywel Dinefwr was born to Hywel "Dda aka Good" .
[his son] Owain King Deheubarth was born to Hywel "Dda aka Good" .
Kings Gwynedd: Grand Son of Rhodri ap Mervyn "The Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Son of Cadell ap Rhodri King Seisyllwg
Kings Powys: Great x 2 Grand Son of Cadell ap Brochfael King Powys
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gwriad ap Elidyr Aberffraw
Great x 1 Grandfather: Merfyn "Frych aka Freckled" King Gwynedd
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rhodri Molwynog "Bald and Grey" Anglesey
Great x 3 Grandfather: Cynan Dindaethwy ap Rhodri King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandmother: Esyllt Anglesey
GrandFather: Rhodri ap Mervyn "The Great" King Gwynedd
Great x 4 Grandfather: Elisedd ap Gwylog King Powys
Great x 3 Grandfather: Brochfael ap Elisedd King Powys
Great x 2 Grandfather: Cadell ap Brochfael King Powys
Great x 1 Grandmother: Nest ferch Cadell Cadelling Queen Consort Gwynedd
Father: Cadell ap Rhodri King Seisyllwg
Great x 1 Grandfather: Meurig King Seisyllwg
GrandMother: Angharad Seisyllwg Queen Consort Gwynedd