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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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Archaeologia Cambrensis 1876 Correspondence is in Archaeologia Cambrensis 1876.
The Parc Cwm Tumulus.
Sir. I have heard it rumoured that Mr. H. H. Vivian intends exploring another tumulus in the same district as that which contains the chamber described by Sir J. Lubbock in the Journal of the Ethnological Society, and by his permission printed in the last number of the Archeologia Cambrensis. If this report be true itis to be hoped that some competent members of the Association may be permitted to attend and communicate the results of the exploration. In the report of Dr. D. M. Douglas, of Hafod Villa, mention is made of the contents of case 5, consisting of the remains of two bodies, but which appeared to be of far greater antiquity than the other remains found in the various chambers; and hence the inference of primary and subsequent interments. This may probably be the case, but the question I would wish to put to those gentlemen who are more familiar than myself with the subject, is, does not the construction of the chamber, similar to the well-known one in Wellow parish, Somersetshire, indicate a very much later period than that to which are probably to be assigned our more simple and massive chambers, the remains of which form our Druidic cromlechs. If this is the case, and any considerable intervals passed between the interments as marked out by the various characters of the bones, and if what Dr. Douglas thinks, the remains of a primary one are much older than the others, then, supposing the primary interment to have been made in this sepulchral vault (and this vault is not to be assigned to a very early period), it seems highly probable that this burial-place continued to be used as such to a period much later than is generally thought. Apologising for throwing out a suggestion which is based only on the supposed similarity of construction between the Wellow and Cwm Park chambers.
I am, Sir, yours most respectfully, Tiro.
The Presaddfed Cromlech [Map].
Sir, Some hopes were expressed by some of the strangers on the occasion of the meeting of the Association last August in our county, that steps would be taken by permission of the owner to preserve from ruin what is decidedly one of the most interesting cromlechs in the county, and probably in all Wales. I do not know what has been done, but I sincerely trust that something is at least intended. Anyone can see that as soon as frost and rain have weakened the narrow point of the stone that supports the large mass forming the roof of the chamber, down must come, not only the said roof, but the upright stones also, which will probably be crushed and certainly capsized. Some effectual prop must be placed underneath it, but what that prop should be is doubtful. I am not competent to offer any opinion, but I believe some suggestion was made as to an iron prop. Certainly a wrought iron pillar, say three, or even two, inches in diameter, resting on a broad base of rock sunk in the ground would support any weight if properly placed. But, whatever may be the best plan, some plan or other is better than none.
Yours, etc., A Looker On.