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: Carr
Around 1511 Robert Carr was born to [his father] George Carr (age 26) and [his mother] Ann Flower at Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
After 1511 Robert Carr and Elizabeth Cawdron were married.
Before 1st April 1529 Edward Dymoke (age 21) and [his future wife] Ann Tailboys (age 36) were married. They were sixth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1536 [his son] Robert Carr was born to Robert Carr (age 25) and [his wife] Elizabeth Cawdron. He married (1) 10th March 1574 Cassandra Apryce (2) before 24th June 1606 Mary Somerset Baroness Grey Wilton, daughter of Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester and Elizabeth West.
Around 1542 [his son] William Carr was born to Robert Carr (age 31) and [his wife] Elizabeth Cawdron. He married 1590 Bridget Chaworth.
In or after 1543 [his son] Edward Carr 1st Baronet was born to Robert Carr (age 32) and [his wife] Elizabeth Cawdron. He married (1) 5th May 1589 Catherine Bolle (2) 11th October 1607 Anne Dyer Lady Carr and had issue.
After 16th September 1566 Robert Carr (age 55) and Ann Tailboys (age 73) were married. They were fourth cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 10th March 1574 [his son] Robert Carr (age 38) and [his daughter-in-law] Cassandra Apryce (age 44) were married.
On 11th September 1580 [his step-son] Robert Dymoke (age 49) died at Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map]. He was buried at St Benedict's Church, Scrivelsby.
In or before 1582 Thomas Windebanke (age 32) and [his step-daughter] Frances Dymoke (age 31) were married.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 5th May 1589 [his son] Edward Carr 1st Baronet (age 46) and [his daughter-in-law] Catherine Bolle were married.
Around 1590 [his son] William Carr (age 48) and [his daughter-in-law] Bridget Chaworth (age 48) were married.
After 1590. Monument to Robert Carr (age 79) at St Denys' Church, Sleaford [Map]. Possibly sculpted by Maximilian Colt (age 15).
Before 11th September 1590 Robert Carr (age 79) and Anne Knyvet (age 62) were married. They were third cousin twice removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 11th September 1590 Robert Carr (age 79) died at Sleaford, Lincolnshire.
On 16th September 1690 Robert Carr was buried at St Denys' Church, Sleaford [Map].
[his daughter] Elizabeth Carr was born to Robert Carr and Elizabeth Cawdron. She married (1) William Fairfax (2) Christopher Kelke.
[his father] George Carr and [his mother] Ann Flower were married.
[his daughter] Bridget Carr was born to Robert Carr and Elizabeth Cawdron. She married Richard Rosseter.
[his daughter] Anne Carr was born to Robert Carr and Elizabeth Cawdron. She married (1) Robert Whitchcote (2) Christopher Legerde.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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[his son] George Carr was born to Robert Carr and Elizabeth Cawdron.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert John Carr 
GrandFather: Richard Carr 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Clifford 8th Baron Clifford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Clifford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dacre 5th Baron Dacre Gilsland, Baron Multon of Gilsand 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 6th Baron Dacre Gilsland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Douglas Baroness Dacre Gilsland 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Dacre Baroness Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Neville Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Father: George Carr 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Elmedine of the Bishopric
GrandMother: Unknown Elmedine
Robert Carr 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Ann Flower