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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Hanserecesse is in Late Medieval Books.
Gerhard von Wesel to his friends in Cologne: reports on the return of King Edward and the victory at Barnet; announces the landing of Queen Margaret. — [London] April 17, 1471. From St. A, Cologne, double sheet, with folding slits (for dispatch).
442. Gerhard von Wesel an seine Freunde in Kiln: berichiet über die Rückkehr des K. Eduard und den Sieg bei Barnet; meldet dic Landung der Königin Margaretha. — [London] 1471 Apr. 17. K aus St A Köln, Doppelblatt, mit Verschickungsschnitten.
In the year 1471, on the Tuesday after Easter, April 17. My humble and devoted service. Honorable and dear [friends], etc. I am, thank God, strong and healthy, as I hope you and all our friends also are. As you know, this land has for a time now been under the rule of King Henry and Warwick. It has happened, however, that King Edward came from Zeeland and landed in a place called Holderness, near the Humber, with 2,400 men or thereabouts. From there, he came through York and the countryside on to London, with the people along the way supporting him – though how and in what manner would be too long to write here. When Warwick, who was then in London, heard of this landing, he departed from here with whatever troops he could gather and went to meet King Edward, reaching the city of Coventry. There, the Earl of Oxford, the Duke of Exeter, Lord Beaumont, and the Marquess of Montagu (his own brother) joined him in Coventry with a large force. Meanwhile, King Edward ambushed and defeated some of the Earl of Oxford's troops along the way. At last, around the Monday before Palm Sunday, King Edward arrived before Coventry and prepared to fight the lords who were inside, though they would not – or dared not – come out to him. King Edward then stationed himself at Warwick and Kenilworth Castles, which are 8 and 4 miles from Coventry, where he stayed for about 8 days. None of the aforementioned lords in Coventry dared or wanted to come out of the city, even though King Edward's men spread their battle banners many times before the city. During this 8-day period or so, the Duke of Clarence came with many troops from the west to his brother King Edward's aid. Warwick and his party had hoped that Clarence would support them, and it was believed that Clarence's own men didn't even know of their commander's change of allegiance until it was revealed. So then, King Edward had together about 15,000 men. Seeing that no one from within the city [Coventry] was willing to come out, and that the large number of troops had consumed all the food supplies in the surrounding area for both men and horses, King Edward marched toward London with his army.
Anno etc. 71, godesdach na payschen, 17. aprilis. Mynen underdenigen und willigen dyenst. Eyrsame lieve etc. Ich byn, glofft sy Got, starck und gesunt, so ich hoffe, ir und vort alle unse vrunde ouch sin. So als ir dan wist, we dit lant eyn tziit her gewest hefft under konyng Hynrichs und Warwicks regiment, so is gefallen, dat konyng Edwart uyt Selant gecommen und gelant is gewest in de Homber, gcheiten Holdernesse, myt 2400 mannen off dar umbtrynt und van dar durch Jorck unde de lant vort commen is to London wart, dat volck bii dem weze myt reysende; mer we und int wat mancren, were to lanck to schriven etc. So als Warwick ter tiit in London wesende disser landonge vernomen hefft, is hey van hier uysgezogen myt sulchem volcke, as hey krigen konde, und konyng Edward entgaen gezogen bis in de stat Coventre, war de greve van Oxenforde, herzoch van Excester, lord Bemont und marckgreve van Montagu, syn eygen broder to eme in Coventre commen sin, vaste myt vele volckes, wewale konyng Edward dem greven van Oxenforde bii dem wege etzlich volek affzog und ersloge. Zom lesten circa mandach vur palmen is konyng Edward vur Coventre commen und aldaer der darbynnen sinde heren zo stride gesonnen, de asdan nyet zo eme uys en hebben willen offte dorren kommen. Konyng Edward hefft sich zo Warwick und Kyllingworth castels gelacht, wilcht 8 und 4 mylen van Coventre syn gelegen, dar hey stille gelegen hefft umbtrynt 8 dage ziid. Nemanz van den vurscreven herren in Coventre synde en hefft sich uys der stat dorren off willen gheven, wewale konyng Edwardes volck ere striitbanere zo duckmalen vur de stat gespreyt hebben. In deser vurscreven tiit van 8 dagen off dar umbrynt, so is de herzoch van Clarens myt vele volckes gecommen van bii westen zo konyng Edward syme broder, eme zo hulpe, warup Warwick myt synre partiie gehofft hadden, dat hey in zo hulpe seulde sin commen, und zo vermoden was, dat Clarens eygen volck ouch nyet anders gewost en han de ziit erre uystreckynge. Also dat konyng Edward aldo zosamen bii 15000 man hadde. Alsus konyng Edward seende, dat nemantz van in uys der stat wolde commen und dat grote gezall volckes de vitalie dar umbtrynt synde vur man und perde verdaen haven, is to London wart gezogen myt syme volcke.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
On Palm Sunday, King Henry, along with the Archbishop of York and Lord Sudley, rode through London in an effort to encourage the people, etc. Then on Maundy Thursday morning, the judicial benches (the court) and other official insignia were carried through London. That afternoon, King Edward entered London, accompanied by the Duke of Clarence, the Duke of Gloucester, the Earl of Rivers, Lord Scales, the sons of the Earls of Arundel and Kent, Lord Hastings, Lord Say, Lord Duras, Lord Ferrers, and many other knights and squires. At that moment, the men who had taken sanctuary (in churches) rose up and came out, including the Bishop of Bath, the Chancellor, the Bishop of Rochester, the Keeper of the Privy Seal, Lord Beauchamp, and many other knights and squires. When the king entered, he rode straight through Cheapside to St. Paul's, where he made an offering, and then went to the Bishop of London's palace, where King Henry was arrested. After that, the Archbishop of York, Lord Sudley, and the Bishop of Chester were also arrested and brought to the Tower.
Item up godesdach na palmedage hefft konyng Henrich myt dem artzbischop van Jorck und lord Sudlay dorch London gereden, umb dat volck to conforteren etc. Des donresdages up mendeldach des morgens hefft men de rackedsteve und ander leverien in London gedragen; des namyddages is konyng Edward incommen to London und myt eme de hertzoch van Clarens, herzoch von Glocester, greve van Ryvers, lord Scales, des greven son van Arondel, des greven son van Kent, lord Hastynges, lord Saye, lord Duras, lord Feryes und andere ryddere und knechte, und ter stunt synt de sanctuarien upgeresen und darvan commen de bischoff van Bathe, canzeler, de bischoff van Rochester, privisegel, the lord Buscher und vaste andere rydders und skwyers. As de konynck incommen is, van stunt an is hey dorch Cheep gereden to sent Pauwels und aldaer geoffert und van daer in des bischoffs van London pallais gegayn und konyng Henrich arrestiert. Vortan is de bischoff van Jorck arrestiert und de lord Sudlay und bischop van Chester und in den Tour bracht.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Also, the following were in confinement within London on behalf of Warwick: the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Ely (a prisoner), the Earl of Essex, Lord Cromwell, Lord Montjoy, Lord John of Buckingham, Lord Henry of Buckingham, the Earl of Wiltshire, Sir Thomas Buscher, etc.—all of whom were released immediately upon the king's arrival. The Duke of Norfolk, who was likewise in confinement within London, upon hearing of King Edward's arrival on Palm Sunday, secretly fled during mass into Norfolk to gather troops. During this Lent, many prisoners from King Edward's faction had been gathered and brought to the Tower of London. On Tuesday after Palm Sunday, these prisoners took courage and overpowered their guards and gatekeepers, locked them in the Tower dungeons, took the Tower itself by force, and held it in the name of King Edward. Also, on Monday after Palm Sunday, the Duke of Somerset, his brother, and the Earl of Devonshire rode westwards from London. They have not yet, at this point, openly taken the field against King Edward.
Item so weren in restimente bynnen London van Warwicks wegen de artzbischoff van Cantelberge, bisschoff van Ely prisonner, der greve von Essex, de lord Kromwelle, de lord Monjoye, lord John van Bockyngam und lord Hary Bockyngam, erle off Wilschyre, und ser Thomas Buscher etc., dewilche van stonden an na compst des konings entslagen sin worden. Item de herzoch van Nortfolck, ouch in restimente binnen Londen sinde, horende van der kompst van konyng Edward up palmesondach in der homissen stach sich heymlichen ewech in Nortfolck, volck zo vergaderen. In deser vasten hir weren vele prisonners vergadert van konyng Edwardes partiie und in den Tour van London bracht, wilche prisonners up dynxdach post palmarum sich in den Toure vermannet hebben und han ere kypers und porters gefangen und in de gefencknisse des Tours gesat und den Tour selven ingenomen und par force behalden han in konyng Edwardes naemen. Item up mandach na palmen, so is uys London westwart gereden de herzoch van Somerset, syn broder und de greve van Devon schyre und en sin noch zer ziit nyet zo velde tegen konyng Edward gewest.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Also, on Good Friday, King Edward remained quietly in London, and Lord Howard and Lord Hastings' brother came to him—these had been hiding at the Sanctuary of St. John's in Colchester with many men. On the same day, there also arrived in London, from Kent, Lord Barnes' son and heir, his brother, and many men. On Easter Eve, around midday, after King Edward heard that the lords who had been in Coventry were coming quickly to London with their forces, apparently intending to attack the city, King Edward mustered his forces on St. John's Field near Smithfield along with the aforementioned lords and knights, numbering about 20,000 men. Later, around four o'clock in the evening, he marched out and brought King Henry with him into the field, heading toward St. Albans. At the same time, King Edward had Lady York, the Queen, the Prince, the Archbishop of Canterbury (the Chancellor), etc., transferred to the Tower for safety and greater security.
Item up den goden vridach hefft de konyng Edward in London stille gelezen, und is zo eme commen de lord Houward und lord Hastynges broder, de zo sent Johans to Colcester up de sanctuarien gelegen han myt vele volckes; also is ingecommen denselven dach zo Londen uys Kent de lord Barnes son und heyer, syn broder und vele volckes. Des payschavendes zo myddage, na dat konyng Edward vernomen hefft, dat de here vurscreven in Coventre synde to London wart in alle haste quemen myt erme volcke, meynende in aldar to besoichen, so hefft konyng Edward up sent Johansfelde bii dem Smedefelde gemonstert myt synen heren vurscreven und rydderen etc. zom number vollich van 20000 volckes, und tegen denavent zo 4 uren is hey vort gezogen und hefft koning Henrich myt genomen zo velde zo sent Albans wart, und hefit konyng Edward de lady Jorck, de konyngynne und pryncen, buschoff van Cantelberge, canzeler ete. in den Tour laten trecken vur salvacie und de merre sicherheit.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
On Easter Eve, around 7 o'clock in the evening, when King Edward's army had marched out as described and had come near Hornsey Park, about 6 miles from London, they encountered Warwick's advance forces, and a skirmish took place in that area. In the darkness, they chased each other until they reached a village called Barnet, about 10 miles from London. Now, Warwick, along with his lords and companions who had been in Coventry, had already set up their camp a mile beyond the village mentioned, right next to the high road to St. Albans, on a wide grassy field. King Edward's troops, not knowing exactly where the opposing side was, rode into the same area during the night and set up their own camp on the opposite side of the high road, directly facing Warwick, but in a hollow and marshy spot. Warwick, for his part, had set up his artillery—guns and serpentines—facing directly onto the road coming from Barnet, and these cannons were fired all through the night, though they did not hit King Edward's troops.
Item des paischavendes umbtrynt 7 oren des avendes, as konyng Edwardes her alsus vort getrocken is und synt gecommen umbtrynt Harnseyparck, 6 mylen van London, so is de vurwarde Warwicks etc. in gemotet und hebben eyn schermutzynge gehat dar umbtrynt und hebben mallich anderen inme duysteren gejaget bis in eyn dorp heyt Barnet, 10 mylen van London. Item so hadden Warwick und syne herren und mytgesellen, de bynnen Coventre waren, ere velt gepytzet eyne myle up gentziit dem vurscreven dorpe, even beneven den hogen wech sent Albans up eyn wiiden gronen plot; und konyng Edwardes volck nyet eygentlich wissende in der nacht, war de wederpartien weren, syn ouch up deselve plot in der nacht gereden und hebben ere velt up de ander siide des hogen weges vurscreven even entgaen Warwick gepytzet in eyn loch und somp. Item Warwick hefft syn ordinancie van bussen und serpentynen gestalt even entgaen den wech, de uys Barnet is commen, und hebben de bussen alle de nacht over gedragen und konyng Edwardes volck nyet geracht.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
14th April 1471. In the early morning at daybreak, around 4 o'clock, both sides engaged, but a very thick fog descended, as it did also in London, so dense that no one could clearly see the other. Eventually, the cannon on King Edward's side overpowered Warwick's artillery, and Edward's men fought so bravely that it was astonishing—they fired so many arrows that more than 10,000 were broken and lay scattered on the ground. They fought so fiercely that around 3,000 of Edward's troops fled from the rear, although due to the fog, neither side realized this. Edward's men managed to capture about 7,000 horses, and King Henry VI, who had been with the Lancastrian forces, was spirited away and brought halfway between Barnet and St. Albans. But Edward's troops pursued them and, as it is said, recaptured Henry. At last, around 8 o'clock on Easter Day, King Edward won the field, and Warwick and his brother the Marquess of Montagu were both slain, along with many knights and noblemen. On Edward's side, Lord Cromwell (one of Essex's sons), Lord Saye, and Lord Barnes' son and heir, as well as many other knights and nobles, were also killed. Altogether, on both sides, around 1,500 men were slain—God have mercy on their souls. And many more were seriously wounded, mostly in the face and lower body, leaving a very pitiful sight—God make it better.
Also, the Duke of Exeter was seriously wounded, but still managed to slip away. Also, the Earl of Oxford, along with his two brothers and Lord Beaumont, fled. The Duke of Gloucester and Lord Scales were also wounded, but — thank God — not severely. Also, it was reported that Warwick's side had about 3,000 or 4,000 more troops than King Edward's. Also, in the early hours of Easter Sunday, at a time when every good Christian ought to be at prayer, a rumor reached London that Warwick had won the battle, that King Edward had been captured, and that Clarence and Gloucester were dead, etc. This caused many to grieve, while others rejoiced — so that some ruffians in London became emboldened and began looting, which terrified the entire German community, understandably so. But at last, the true news arrived, as previously mentioned: that King Edward had won the battle. And that same Easter Sunday afternoon, King Edward returned to London, bringing King Henry with him, accompanied by his troops. Those who returned with healthy horses and unscathed bodies were fortunate — many others came home deceitfully bandaged, with mutilated faces, missing noses, and wounded limbs. God have mercy on such miserable sights. Everyone says that in 100 years, there had not been a fiercer battle in England than that which took place on Easter Sunday, as has been described. May God henceforth grant us His eternal peace.
Des morgens in der dagerate umbtrynt 4 oren, so hant sii mallich anderen vernomen, doch so is dar eyn sere duyster nevel gecommen, und was ouch in London, dat eyn den anderen nyet wale en hefft konnen gesien. Tom lesten hebben de loitbussen an konyng Edwardes siide Warwick de ordinancie affzewonnen und hebben sich de anderen so manlich gewert, dat it wonder was myt erem geschotte, dat in gantzer warheit ove[r]? 10000 arouwes® zobrochen noch dar ligen, und sich so manlich gewert, dat umbtrynt 3000 van konyng Edwardes volck achter aff flouwen, wilcht doch geyn van beiden partien umb des nevels willen en hefit konnen gemyrcken, und hebben konyng Edwardes volcke genomen gewest wale bii 7000 perden, und konyng Henrich ewech gestollen und bis halff wech tuschen Barnet und sent Albans bracht, dar konyng Edwardes volck doch nagejaget han und hebben Henrich wederkregen, as men segt. Tom lesten so hefft circa 8 oren up den paischdach® konyng Edwart dat velt gewonnen, und Warwick und marcus Montagw, synen broder, beide erslagen myt vele ridderen und edelingen; und an konyng Edwardes siiden is erslazen de lord Kromwel, und was eyn van Essex sonen, item de lord Saye, item de lord Barnes son und eyer und vele anderen ryddere und edelinge, sodat to beiden siiden umbtrynt 1500 man doet bleven sin, Got hebbe de selen. Und myt allen sere vele volckes gewont und meystpart int angesicht und int fundament, eyn sere bermlich gesichte, Got besser it.
Item und is Excester sere gewondet und doch ewech gestollen, item de greve van Oxenford myt synen zwen broderen und lord Beamont syn gefluwen; de herzoch van Glocester und lord Scales syn got gewondet, mer en schadet in, glofft sii Got, nyet. Item und is an Warwicks siide wale bii 3 off 4000 volckes mer gewest, dan an konyng Edwardes siide. Item des morgens in der metten up paischdach, als eyn elck goet kerstenmensche sich myt Gode bekommeren soulde, so qwam de tiidonge in London, dat Warwick tvelt gewonnen hedde, und dat konyng Edward gefangen, Clarens und Glocester doet weren etc. Dar was mannich bedroufft und mencher ervreuwet inne, so dat etzliche boyffen sich vermanden in London und hegonsten to rouffen, darvan alle Dutsche nacie wale verferet syn mochte und was. Doch zom lesten qwam de warafftige tiidonge, as vurscreven is, dat konyng Edward dat velt gewonnen hedde, und des namyddages up paischdach qwam konyng Edward und brachte konyng Henrich myt to huys myt syme volcke. Dwilcke de gode perde und gesund liiff uysbrachten, brachten qwade guyle und gelapde ansichter sonder nasen ete. und gewonde lyber to huys, Got erbarm it des ellendigen sichtes, want alle man segget, dat in 100 jeren nye scharper battaille in Englant gewest en is dan up den goden paischdach lestleden, as vurscreven is, Got verlene uns vortan synen ewigen freden.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Also, on Easter Sunday afternoon, when King Edward returned to London from the battle, he rode to St. Paul's, where he was received by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of Bath, Lincoln, Durham, Carlisle, Rochester, St. David's, Dublin, Ely, and Exeter. There, he presented his two banners, pierced with arrows, and offered them at the north cross of the cathedral. The choir sang Salve festa dies, etc. Also, on Monday after Easter, around seven o'clock in the morning, the bodies of the Earl of Warwick and the Marquess of Montagu were brought in two carts and laid on the stones in the choir of St. Paul's Church, lying naked, without a shroud, but covered modestly for decency, so that everyone in London and elsewhere might see them, which many thousands did.
Item des payschdages affternoen, as de konyng Edward in London weder van der battalien qwam, so reyt hey to sent Pawels, dar in entfengen de artzbischoff van Cantelberge, de bischoff van Bathe, bischoff van Lyncoln, Durham, Carliele, Rochester, sent Davy, Duvelyn, Ely und Excester, und aldaer bracht hey syne 2 baniere sere durchschoten und offerde de to der roden van norden, und dar was gesungen: Salve festa dies etc. Item up mandach na paischen! umbtrynt 7 oren des morgen worden in zwen laden bracht de lichamme des greven van Warwicks und des marcus van Montagws und up de steyne in dat corpus der kyrchen to sent Pauwels gesat, ligende darinne nacket sonder eyn doich umb de mynschlicheide elkem gebonden, up dat eyn elk van London und anderen in syen mochten, wilcht manch 1000 mynsche sach.
Also, on Tuesday after Easter, news arrived that Margaret, the former queen, had landed at Weymouth in Cornwall with her son, Prince Edward, in 17 ships, accompanied by the Lord of St. John and Sir John Wenlock. Therefore, King Edward, with all his forces, was preparing immediately to march there to confront his enemies, which is true. Thus, may God grant us all His eternal peace and rest, Amen, and protect the good community and prosperity of this land; for when the common people of this land flourish and have peace, all foreign nations who dwell here also benefit. May God be with you and with all of us. Amen.
Item des dynxdages na payschen qwam de tiidonge, dat Margareta, de alde konynckynne, myt erme sone, den men nennet prynce Edward, to Valmude in Cornwal gelandet weren myt 17 schippen myt dem heren van sent Johans und Wenlock, so dat konyng Edward myt alre macht yerstdages darhyn wylt, syne viande to besoichen, dat is wayre. Alsus verlene Got uns alsamen synen ewigen vreden und reste, amen, und beware de gode gemeynte und walffare disses Jandes, want wanner de gemeynte disses landes walfaret und freden hefft, genousset alle vrempde nacie, de darinne resortiert. Got sii myt uch und unsser allen, amen.