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Westminster Chronicle of King Richard II, 1381-1394

The Westminster Chronicle is one of the most vivid and important narrative sources for the reign of Richard II. Written by an anonymous chronicler closely connected with Westminster Abbey, it covers the years 1381 to 1394, from the Peasants’ Revolt to the political tensions, court ceremonies, diplomatic negotiations, royal progresses, and public crises of Richard’s later reign. Rich in detail the chronicle records major events such as the conflicts between the King and Lords Appellant, King and the City of London, negotiations with France and Scotland, the death and funeral of Queen Anne of Bohemia, the illness of Charles VI of France, and the changing fortunes of leading nobles including John of Gaunt, Thomas of Gloucester, Robert de Vere, and the Earl of Arundel. The Chronicle offers readers a remarkable window into late fourteenth-century England, combining political observation, courtly spectacle, urban drama, ecclesiastical affairs, and moral judgement. It is an essential source for anyone interested in medieval monarchy, London, Westminster, and the troubled reign of Richard II.

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William Wray 1st Baronet 1555-1617

Paternal Family Tree: Wray

In 1555 William Wray 1st Baronet was born to Christopher Wray [aged 31] and Anne Girlington.

On 6th April 1580 William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 25] and Lucy Montagu were married.

On 10th January 1581 [his future brother-in-law] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick [aged 21] and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez. She the daughter of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 37].

In 1583 [his brother-in-law] George St Paul 1st Baronet [aged 21] and [his sister] Frances Wray Countess Warwick were married.

On 27th November 1586 [his son] John Wray 2nd Baronet was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 31] and [his wife] Lucy Montagu. He married September 1607 Grisilla Bethell Lady Glentworth and had issue.

After 1591 William Cecil 2nd Earl Exeter [aged 25] and [his future sister-in-law] Elizabeth Drury Countess Exeter [aged 12] were married. He the son of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter [aged 48] and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter [aged 43]. They were third cousin once removed.

In May 1591 [his son] Nathaniel Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 36] and [his wife] Lucy Montagu. He died aged less than one years old.

In July 1591 [his son] Nathaniel Wray died.

On 7th May 1592 [his father] Christopher Wray [aged 68] died. He was buried in St Michael's Church, Glentworth [Map]. Monument to Sir Christopher and his wife [his mother] Anne Girlington. Elizabethan Period. Elephant and Castle Crest. Pink, white and blue-grey marble. Two recumbent effigies, Sir Christopher above and a little behind his wife, he in red robes, black cap and thick ruff; she in black robes, large ruff and hood. Four kneeling white marble daughters below. Ornate tomb recess above with flanking pink marble columns with white and gold Corinthian Capitals. Undersurface of Recess decorated with white and gold bay leaves. Plaque inscribed above with raised plaque above with Sir Christopher's son at prayer flanked by coats of arms and obelisks.

The general design, and in particular the scrollwork, suggest it may be the work of Nicholas Johnson.

The inscription: "The chief justice of England. Whoever thou art (or a stranger too) pay your respects to those who are buried. Christopher Wray, who lives here was the glory of our legal system. Pairing business, true by name who shone forth in duty, understanding and faith. Lo, he was here, lo he is not. Swift fate overturns everything. Alas, he is dead to us but he himself survives. Earth to earth, Ashes to Ashes, the heavenly to heavenly things. The spirit of the celestial world he occupies the stars of heaven. He died the seventh day of May 1592 in the 34th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth."

Anne Girlington: she was born to Nicholas Girlington. Christopher Wray and she were married. After 7th May 1592 Anne Girlington was buried at St Michael's Church, Glentworth [Map]. Before 18th October 1602 John Darcy 2nd Baron Darcy Aston and Anne Babington were married. She by marriage Baroness Darcy of Aston. They were sixth cousins.

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Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'

This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.

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In 1594 William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 39] was appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire.

In or before 1595 Nicholas Clifford of Bobbing Kent and [his future wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 18] were married.

After 14th June 1595 [his brother-in-law] William Bowes [aged 44] and [his sister] Isabel Wray Baroness Darcy were married.

In June 1596 [his son] Philip Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 41] and [his wife] Lucy Montagu.

On 1st March 1599 [his wife] Lucy Montagu died. She was buried at Lincoln Cathedral [Map].

In 1601 [his son] Christopher Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 46] and [his future wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 24]. He married 3rd August 1623 his fourth cousin once removed Albinia Cecil, daughter of Edward Cecil 1st Viscount Wimbledon and Theodosia Noel, and had issue.

Before May 1601 William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 46] and Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 24] were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years.

Before 23rd October 1603 [his son] George Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 48] and [his wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 27]. He died aged two point eight nine two seven five in 1606.

In 1605 [his future brother-in-law] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick [aged 45] and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire [aged 41] were divorced.

Before 7th April 1605 [his son] Charles Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 50] and [his wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 28].

In 1606 [his son] George Wray [aged 2] died.

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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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In September 1607 [his son] John Wray 2nd Baronet [aged 20] and [his daughter-in-law] Grisilla Bethell Lady Glentworth [aged 18] were married.

Before 27th October 1610 [his daughter] Frances Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 55] and [his wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 34]. She married 25th March 1623 her third cousin Anthony Irby and had issue.

On 25th November 1611 a further tranche of Baronets was created by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 45]...

Edward Devereux 1st Baronet [aged 67] was created 1st Baronet Devereux of Castle Bromwich. Catherine Arden Baroness Devereux [aged 53] by marriage Lady Devereux of Castle Bromwich.

Francis Englefield 1st Baronet [aged 50] was created 1st Baronet Englefield of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire.

Harbottle Grimston 1st Baronet [aged 42] was created 1st Baronet Grimston of Bradfield.

John Portman 1st Baronet [aged 36] was created 1st Baronet Portman of Orchard Portman in Somerset.

William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 56] was created 1st Baronet Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire. [his wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 35] by marriage Lady Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire.

Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet [aged 19] was created 1st Baronet Puckering of Weston in Hertfordshire.

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On 21st October 1614 [his son-in-law] Francis Foljambe 1st Baronet [aged 24] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Wray Lady Walton were married.

In 1616 [his brother-in-law] Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick [aged 56] and [his sister] Frances Wray Countess Warwick were married. She by marriage Baroness Rich of Leez.

On 7th May 1617 [his brother-in-law] John Darcy 3rd Baron Darcy Aston [aged 45] and [his sister] Isabel Wray Baroness Darcy were married. She by marriage Baroness Darcy of Aston.

On 13th August 1617 William Wray 1st Baronet [aged 62] died. His son John [aged 30] succeeded 2nd Baronet Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire. Grisilla Bethell Lady Glentworth [aged 28] by marriage Lady Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire.

Around 1637 [his former wife] Frances Drury Lady Glentworth [aged 60] died.

[his son] Nathaniel Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet and Lucy Montagu.

[his son] Christopher Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet and Lucy Montagu.

[his son] Charles Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet and Lucy Montagu.

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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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[his son] Benjamin Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet and Lucy Montagu.

[his son] Edward Wray was born to William Wray 1st Baronet and Lucy Montagu. He married 27th March 1622 Elizabeth Norreys 3rd Baroness Norreys Rycote, daughter of Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire and Bridget Vere Baroness Norreys Rycote, and had issue.

[his father] Christopher Wray and [his mother] Anne Girlington were married.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Wray Lady Walton was born to William Wray 1st Baronet and Lucy Montagu. She married 21st October 1614 Francis Foljambe 1st Baronet and had issue.

Ancestors of William Wray 1st Baronet 1555-1617

Grandfather: Thomas Wray

Father: Christopher Wray

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Jackson

Grandmother: Joan Jackson

William Wray 1st Baronet

Grandfather: Nicholas Girlington

Mother: Anne Girlington