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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Narford Hall is in Narford.
In 1694 Andrew Fountaine (age 61) reached a final settlement with the Coke family over the leases given to him by John Coke; all leases and income to be surrendered by Andrew Fountaine in exchange for £10,000. A year later Andrew Fountaine purchased Narford Hall.
In 1702 Andrew Fountaine (age 69) commissioned the building of Narford Hall. He laid the first stone on 29th June 1702.
In or before 1706 Colonel Edward Clent of Knightwick in Worcestershire (age 28) and Elizabeth Fountaine (age 29) were married. She brought Narford Hall to the marriage.
On 7th February 1707 Andrew Fountaine (age 74) died. His son (age 31) inherited Narford Hall. Buried at Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
On 27th July 1746 Elizabeth Clent (age 40) died. Her son Brigg Price inherited Narford Hall.
On 4th September 1753 Andrew Fountaine (age 77) died. His sister Elizabeth Fountaine inherited Narford Hall. Monument in Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
On 7th July 1835 Andrew Fountaine (age 64) died. Narford Hall passed to his daughter Mary Fountaine who had married his nephew Algernon Charles Fountaine keeping Narford Hall in the Fountaine family.
On 25th May 1879 Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine was born to Algernon Charles Fountaine (age 27) at Narford Hall and Mary Fountaine (age 31). He was baptised 3rd August 1879 at the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. He married 7th March 1918 Louisa Constance Catherine Maclean and had issue.
On 7th December 1918 Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine was born to Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine (age 39) and Louisa Constance Catherine Maclean at Narford Hall. He married before 14th September 1997 Rosemary Mitcham.
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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On 15th November 1922 John Brigg Charles Fountaine was born to Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine (age 43) and Louisa Constance Catherine Maclean at Narford Hall.
On 24th March 1946 Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine (age 66) died. His son Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine (age 27) inherited Narford Hall.
On 14th September 1997 Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine (age 78) died of cancer possibly at Swaffham Hospital otherwise at Narford Hall without issue. His brother John Brigg Charles Fountaine (age 74) inherited Narford Hall.
Captain William Price and Elizabeth Clent were married. She inherited Narford Hall when her mother Elizabeth Fountaine died.