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 1560 Robert Napier 1st Baronet was born.
Before 1601 Robert Napier 1st Baronet [aged 40] and Elizabeth Staper were married without issue.
Before 1602 Robert Napier 1st Baronet [aged 41] and Margaret Barnes were married without issue.
Before 10th August 1602 Robert Napier 1st Baronet [aged 42] and Mary Robinson were married.
On 10th August 1602 [his son] Robert Napier 2nd Baronet was born to Robert Napier 1st Baronet [aged 42] and [his wife] Mary Robinson. He married (1) 30th April 1623 Frances Thornhurst and had issue (2) before 31st January 1633 Penelope Egerton Lady Napier, daughter of John Egerton 1st Earl Bridgewater and Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater, and had issue.
On 24th September 1611 a further tranche of Baronets was created by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 45]...
Robert Napier 1st Baronet [aged 51] was created 1st Baronet Napier of Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire.
Thomas Penyston 1st Baronet [aged 20] was created 1st Baronet Penyston of Leigh in Iden in Sussex. Martha Temple Lady Penyston [aged 16] by marriage Lady Penyston of Leigh in Iden in Sussex.
On 30th April 1623 [his son] Robert Napier 2nd Baronet [aged 20] and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Thornhurst [aged 18] were married.
Before 2nd November 1624 [his son-in-law] Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle [aged 38] and [his daughter] Maria Napier were married.
Before 31st January 1633 [his son] Robert Napier 2nd Baronet [aged 30] and [his daughter-in-law] Penelope Egerton Lady Napier [aged 24] were married. She the daughter of John Egerton 1st Earl Bridgewater [aged 54] and Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater [aged 50].
On 22nd April 1637 Robert Napier 1st Baronet [aged 77] died. His son Robert [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Baronet Napier of Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire. Penelope Egerton Lady Napier [aged 28] by marriage Lady Napier of Luton Hoo in Bedfordshire.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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[his daughter] Maria Napier was born to Robert Napier 1st Baronet and Mary Robinson. She married before 2nd November 1624 Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle and had issue.