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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Biography of Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 1508-1531

Paternal Family Tree: Deheubarth

Maternal Family Tree: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor 1462-1502

In or before 1499 [his step-father] Piers Edgecombe (age 29) and [his mother] Catherine St John were married.

Around 1507 [his father] Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth (age 29) and [his mother] Catherine St John were married.

In 1508 Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth was born to [his father] Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth (age 30) and [his mother] Catherine St John.

On 21st May 1508 Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney (age 56) died. His son Henry (age 14) succeeded 2nd Baron Daubeney. [his future wife] Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 9) by marriage Baroness Daubeney.

In 1521 [his father] Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth (age 43) died. He was buried at Worcester Cathedral [Map] next to his childhood friend Prince Arthur Tudor.

In 1524 Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 16) and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 25) were married. She the daughter of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 81) and Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 47).

On 21st May 1524 [his father-in-law] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk (age 81) died at Framlingham Castle, Suffolk [Map]. He was buried at Thetford Priory, Norfolk [Map] and subsequently reburied at the Church of St Michael the Archangel, Framlingham [Map]. His son [his brother-in-law] Thomas (age 51) succeeded 3rd Duke Norfolk, 2nd Earl Surrey. Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk (age 27) by marriage Duchess Norfolk.

In June 1529 Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 21) was imprisoned at Carmarthen Castle [Map].

Around 1530 [his son] Griffith Rice was born to Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 22) and [his wife] Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 31).

Before September 1531 Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Howard Countess Derby (age 20) were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [his mother-in-law] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 54). He the son of Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby and Anne Hastings Countess Derby (age 46). They were half third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

Before December 1531 Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 23) was imprisoned in London.

Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

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In December 1531 Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth (age 23) was beheaded for treason for purportedly for inscribing the name Fitz Uryan on his armour in London.

Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. December 1531. This yeare Mr. Risse (age 23)c was beheaded at Tower hill, and one that was his servante was drawne from the Tower of London to Tibume [Map], where he was hanged, his bowells burnt, and his bodie quartered.

Note c. "Griffeth Rise beheaded for treason."— Fabyan's Chronicle.

Atfer 1544 Henry Daubeney 1st Earl Bridgewater (age 50) and [his former wife] Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 45) were married. She the daughter of [his former father-in-law] Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk and [his former mother-in-law] Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk (age 67).

Around 11th May 1554 [his former wife] Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater (age 55) died.

[his daughter] Agnes Rhys Lady Baynton was born to Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth and Catherine Howard Countess Bridgewater. She married 1553 Edward Baynton.

Royal Ancestors of Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 1508-1531

Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King John of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 1508-1531

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip ab Elidir Deheubarth

Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicolas ap Philip Deheubarth

Great x 4 Grandmother: Gwladys

Great x 2 Grandfather: Gruffydd ap Nicholas Deheubarth

Great x 4 Grandfather: Gruffudd Unknown

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jonet Unknown

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas ap Gruffyd Deheubarth

GrandFather: Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Gruffydd

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gruffydd

Father: Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Thomas Deheubarth

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Gwilym

GrandMother: Eve Gwilym

Rhys ap Gruffydd Deheubarth 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Oliver St John

Great x 3 Grandfather: John St John

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Barre

Great x 2 Grandfather: Oliver St John

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Paulett

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Paulet

Great x 1 Grandfather: John St John 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Beauchamp 2nd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Beauchamp 3rd Baron Beauchamp Bletsoe 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stourton 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Edith Stourton Baroness Beauchamp Bletsoe 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

GrandFather: John St John 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Bradshaigh

Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Bradshaigh

Mother: Catherine St John 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Morgan ap Llewelyn

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip ap Morgan

Great x 2 Grandfather: Jenkyn ap Philip

Great x 1 Grandfather: Morgan ap Jenkin Lord of Langstone

GrandMother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor