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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Paternal Family Tree: Chetwynd
Before 1643 [his father] John Chetwynd of Rudge and [his mother] Susannah Broughton were married.
In 1643 John Chetwynd of Boughton was born to [his father] John Chetwynd of Rudge and [his mother] Susannah Broughton.
In 1674 [his father] John Chetwynd of Rudge died.
Before 1678 John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 34) and Lucy Roane were married.
On 3rd June 1678 [his son] Walter Chetwynd 1st Viscount Chetwynd was born to John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 35) and [his wife] Lucy Roane. He married 27th May 1703 Mary Berkeley Viscountess Chetwynd, daughter of John Berkeley 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge and Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge.
Around 1682 [his son] John Chetwynd 2nd Viscount Chetwynd was born to John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 39) and [his wife] Lucy Roane. He married before 25th July 1716 Esther Kent Viscountess Chetwynd and had issue.
In 1684 [his son] William Chetwynd 3rd Viscount Chetwynd was born to John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 41).
In 1689 John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 46) was elected MP Stafford which seat he held until 1695.
On 21st March 1693 Walter Chetwynd (age 60) died of smallpox. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Ingestre [Map]. John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 50) inherited Ingestre Hall, Staffordshire.
In 1698 John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 55) was elected MP Tamworth which seat he held until 1700.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 1701 John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 58) was elected MP Stafford which seat he held until 1702.
On 9th December 1702 John Chetwynd of Boughton (age 59) died. [his son] Walter Chetwynd 1st Viscount Chetwynd (age 24) inherited Ingestre Hall, Staffordshire.
After 1741. Monument at St Mary the Virgin Church, Ingestre [Map], left top, at St Mary the Virgin Church, Ingestre [Map] to John Chetwynd of Boughton and his wife Lucy Roane.
Left middle to Mary Berkeley Viscountess Chetwynd (age 70).
Lucy Roane: she was born to Robert Roane of Tullesworth in Chaldon in Surrey. Before 1678 John Chetwynd of Boughton and she were married.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Chetwynd
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Chetwynd
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cheywynd
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Egerton 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Egerton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Anthony Chetwynd 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Ferrers 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Ferrers 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Stanley 
12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Harpur 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Harpur
GrandFather: John Chetwynd 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Father: John Chetwynd of Rudge 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
John Chetwynd of Boughton 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: John Broughton of Whittington 
Mother: Susannah Broughton