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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Totmonslow Hundred, Staffordshire is in Staffordshire.
On 2nd July 1775 Bernard Granville [aged 76] died without issue at Calwich, Staffordshire. He was buried at St Peter's Church, Ellastone. His nephew Reverend John D'Ewes aka Granville [aged 31] inherited Calwich Abbey, Staffordshire [Map] and changed his surname from D'Ewes to Granville.
Bernard Granville: On or before 25th April 1699, the date he was baptised, he was born to Bernard Granvile. Before 1775 Bernard Granville purchased Calwich Abbey, Staffordshire [Map] from Thomas Fleetwood 6th Baronet. He demolished the priory house and built a new house nearer the stream which he turned into a lake.
Reverend John D'Ewes aka Granville: In 1744 he was born to John D'Ewes and Anne Granville. In 1779 Reverend John D'Ewes aka Granville and Harriet de la Bere were married.
Calwich Low Bowl Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Calwich Low Bowl Barrow [Map] is located on the crest of a shelf overlooking the Dove Valley. It survives as a slightly oval flat-topped earthen mound up to 0.8m high with maximum dimensions of 30m by 29m. The monument is not known to have been excavated.8m high with maximum dimensions of 30m by 29m. The monument is not known to have been excavated.
Row Low Bowl Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Row Low Bowl Barrow [Map] survives as an oval earthen mound up to 2.5m high with maximum dimensions of 43m by 40m. There is a rectangular hollow measuring 2.5m by 2m and 0.2m deep indicating limited unrecorded investigation of the barrow's centre.
The Boxes Bowl Barrow [Map]. The monument includes a bowl barrow located 70m north-west of The Boxes on the crest of a shelf spur overlooking the Dove valley. It survives as an oval earthen mound up to 1.8m high with maximum dimensions of 39m by 33m. The monument is not known to have been excavated.
1088. in the Domesday Book Ellastone, Staffordshire was listed as Edelachestone and Elachestone.
Around 1818 Robert Oakes was born at Ellastone, Staffordshire.
Around 1843 George Oakes was born to Robert Oakes [aged 25] at Ellastone, Staffordshire.
Around 1852 Elizabeth Oakes was born to Robert Oakes [aged 34] at Ellastone, Staffordshire. She married 29th May 1884 Thomas Hadfield and had issue.
Around 1854 Ellen Oakes was born to Robert Oakes [aged 36] at Ellastone, Staffordshire.
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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1861. 1861 Census Staffordshire Ellastone. Ellastone, Staffordshire.
Robert Oakes [aged 43]. Head. 43.
Margaret Oakes. Wife. 44.
George Oakes [aged 18]. Son. 18.
Elizabeth Oakes [aged 9]. Daughter. 9.
Ellen Oakes [aged 7]. Daughter. 7.
William Oakes. Uncle. 67.
Marlpit Lane Bowl Barrow is also in Peak District Bronze Age Barrows.
Marlpit Lane Bowl Barrow [Map]. A bowl barrow located 20m south of Marlpit Lane on the north-east side of the crest of a low, broad ridge. It survives as an oval earthen mound up to 1m high with maximum dimensions of 48m by 35m. The monument is not known to have been excavated.