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William of Worcester's Chronicle of England

William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.

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Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim 1609-1683

Paternal Family Tree: MacDonnell

In 1604 [his father] Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and [his mother] Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim were married.

On 9th June 1609 Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim was born to Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

On 16th May 1620 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 27] and [his future wife] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Buckingham. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 42] and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 50].

In 1625 [his brother-in-law] Lucas Dillon 2nd Viscount Dillon [aged 15] and [his sister] Mary MacDonnell Viscountess Dillon were married. She by marriage Viscountess Dillon of Costello Gallen in Mayo. She the daughter of [his father] Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and [his mother] Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

After 1629 [his brother-in-law] Oliver Plunkett 6th Baron Louth [aged 20] and [his sister] Mary MacDonnell Viscountess Dillon were married. She the daughter of [his father] Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and [his mother] Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

In 1635 Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim [aged 25] and Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 32] were married. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

On 10th December 1636 [his father] Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim died. His son Randall [aged 27] succeeded 2nd Earl Antrim 1C.

On 3rd August 1637 James Stewart 4th Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 25] and [his step-daughter] Mary Villiers Duchess of Lennox and Richmond [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Duchess Lennox. She the daughter of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham and [his wife] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 35]. He the son of Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox and Katherine Clifton Duchess Lennox [aged 45]. They were half fifth cousin once removed.

In 1645 Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim [aged 35] was created 1st Marquess of Antrim 1C.

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The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 2 Chapters 61-109 1342-1361

The Chronicle of Jean le Bel, Volume 2 continues one of the most important fourteenth-century accounts of the early Hundred Years’ War. Written by the Liège chronicler Jean le Bel, this vivid narrative follows the fortunes of Edward III, Jean II of France, the Black Prince, the great nobles of France and England, and the soldiers, captains and companies who shaped the conflict. This volume covers some of the most dramatic events of the period, including the battles of Crécy and Poitiers, the siege and capture of Calais, the captivity of King John, the rise of the Jacquerie, the turmoil in Paris under Étienne Marcel and Charles of Navarre, the devastation caused by the free companies, Edward III’s great campaign of 1359–1360, and the negotiations leading to the Treaty of Brétigny. Jean le Bel’s chronicle is especially valuable for its lively detail, its interest in chivalry, warfare, politics and reputation, and its influence on later chroniclers, most famously Froissart. This English translation presents the text in clear, readable British English while preserving the force and character of the original narrative. The translation includes extensive notes to help the reader better understand Jean le Bel's text. Volume 2 also includes translated appendices drawn from royal and administrative records, many from the English Record Office, which illuminate Edward III’s campaigns in Brittany, the siege and occupation of Calais, naval preparations, military finance, appointments, safe conducts and related affairs.

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In 1649 [his wife] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 46] died. Her son [his step-son] George [aged 20] succeeded 19th Baron Ros Helmsley

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 22nd February 1664. That the King [aged 33] hath done himself all imaginable wrong in the business of my Lord Antrim [aged 54], in Ireland; who, though he was the head of rebels, yet he by his letter owns to have acted by his father's and mother's, and his commissions; but it seems the truth is, he hath obliged himself, upon the clearing of his estate, to settle it upon a daughter of the Queene-Mother's [aged 25] (by my Lord Germin [aged 58], I suppose,) in marriage, be it to whom the Queene [aged 54] pleases; which is a sad story.

In 1665 [his brother] Alexander Macdonnell 3rd Earl Antrim [aged 50] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Annesley [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Countess Antrim 1C. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of Arthur Annesley 1st Earl Annesley [aged 50] and Elizabeth Altham Countess Anglesey [aged 44]. He the son of [his father] Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and [his mother] Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

In 1672 [his brother] Alexander Macdonnell 3rd Earl Antrim [aged 57] and [his sister-in-law] Helena Burke Countess Antrim were married. He the son of [his father] Randal "Arranach" Macdonnell 1st Earl Antrim and [his mother] Alice O'Neill Countess Antrim.

On 3rd February 1683 Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim [aged 73] died. Marquess of Antrim 1C extinct. His brother [his brother] Alexander [aged 68] succeeded 3rd Earl Antrim 1C. [his sister-in-law] Helena Burke Countess Antrim by marriage Countess Antrim 1C.

Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim 1609-1683

Ancestors of Randall MacDonnell 1st Marquess Antrim 1609-1683