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: Smith aka Smijth
On 22nd April 1814 William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet was born to [his father] Edward Bowyer-Smijth 10th Baronet [aged 29].
In 1838 [his uncle] John Smijth 9th Baronet [aged 56] died. His brother [his father] Edward [aged 52] succeeded 10th Baronet Smith of Hill Hall in Essex.
On 2nd April 1839 William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet [aged 24] and Marianne Frances Meux Lady Bowyer-Smijth were married. They had two sons and a daughter.
On 1st September 1840 [his son] William Bowyer-Smijth 12th Baronet was born to William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet [aged 26] and [his wife] Marianne Frances Meux Lady Bowyer-Smijth.
Around 1845 William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet [aged 30] and Eliza Fechnie Malcolm were married bigamously. She, around sixteen years old, believed his first wife was dead.
On 15th August 1850 [his father] Edward Bowyer-Smijth 10th Baronet [aged 65] died. His son William [aged 36] succeeded 11th Baronet Bowyer-Smijth of Hill Hall in Essex. [his wife] Marianne Frances Meux Lady Bowyer-Smijth by marriage Lady Smith of Hill Hall in Essex.
On 19th March 1875 Marianne Frances Meux Lady Bowyer-Smijth died. Her widower William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet [aged 60] remarried a week later his second bigamous wife Eliza Fechnie Malcolm.
Around 26th March 1875 William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet [aged 60] and Eliza Fechnie Malcolm were married, a week after the death of his first wife. They had previously married, albeit bigamously, around 1845.
On 20th November 1883 William Bowyer-Smijth 11th Baronet [aged 69] died. His son William [aged 43] succeeded 12th Baronet Smith of Hill Hall in Essex.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Smyth 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Smyth 2nd Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Smyth 3rd Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Smyth 6th Baronet
GrandFather: William Smijth 7th Baronet