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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In 1516 Dean John Harpsfield was born.
In 1550 Dean John Harpsfield (age 34) was appointed Vicar of Berkeley, Gloucestershire.
In 1554 Dean John Harpsfield (age 38) was appointed Dean of London.
In 1558 Dean John Harpsfield (age 42) was appointed Dean of Norwich.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd October 1559. The xxiij day of October [the visitors sat at saint Paul's, when] master Harpfeld (age 43) the archedecon of London .... was deposyd, and dyvers prebendarys and vecurs.
In 1578 Dean John Harpsfield (age 62) died.