The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Such was the End of this powerful Man in Ireland, who deriv'd his Pedigree from Maurice Fitz-Gerald of Windsor, an Englishman, and of great Renown amongst the first Conquerors of Ireland in the Year 1170. He had very fait Lands and Possessions, yea whole Provinces, with Kerry a County-Palatine, many Castles, a number of Vassals and Dependents, and of his own Kindred and Surname he had about 500 Gentlemen at his Devotion. Of all which, as well as of his life also, he was bereft within three Years, very few of his Family being left, after he had once fortited his Allegiance to his Prince through the Persuasion of certain Priests. The principal of whom was Nicholas Sanders, an Englishman, who very near the same time was miserably famish'd to death, when forsaken of all, and troubled in mind for the bad success of the Rebellion, he wander'd up and down amongst Woods, Forests and Mountains, and found no Comfort or Relief. In his Pouch were found several Speeches and Letters made and written to confirm the Rebels, stuff'd with large Promises from the Pope and the Spaniard. Thus the Divine Justice (if a Man may judge ) stopt that Mouth with Hunger which had been always open to encourage Rebellions, and to belch forth malicious Lyes and Slanders. For (to omit other things) he was the first Man that broached that abomnable Lye concerning the Birth of Queen Elizaheth's Mother, which no Man in those Days (tho' the Hatred and Malice of the Papists was then fresh againit her, and might remember it) ever knew, England in full forty Years after never heard of the computation of Time doth egregiously convince of Falsehood and Vanity; and he, forgetting himself, (which a Lyar should not do) doth himself plainly confute. Yet are there some ill disposed People who blush not at this Day to beslur their Writings with this so impudent a Lye.