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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Utkinton, Cheshire is in Cheshire.
On 13th August 1674 Mary Devereux Knightley (age 1) died at Utkinton, Cheshire.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 12th February 1690. Wednesday, cosen Brereton (the widdow) came to visit us; we set out about 9; called at Hampton Post, Cheshire; there parted with G.Mainwaring (age 47) (he went to Chester) we called at Utkington; did not alight; saw Sir John, his lady, Mrs Hurlestone, &c. at the Gates; dranck wine, &c. came to Peele before 6; Hardware met us at Tarporly [Map], or Utkinton, brought us home; where we found my 2 sisters,&c. the Stage coach went to Chester that night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 29th March 1690. Satorday, my daughters & Sidney dined at Utkinton, Cheshire, met Lady Delamer there from London; retorned about 4.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th May 1690. Thursday, Jackson & his wife went home; I went with Bidolph & Minshall about 3 to Tarvyn; there was Crew, Lee, Gleg, Aldersey, &c. about the militia; we parted about 5: 9. Friday, Scranmore & G.Mainwaring (age 47) came to dine with us (daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire, & Charlotte & sisters to Mrs Williams funerall at Chester) Jackson, yong Henthorne, G.Mainwaring's cosen,&c. dined with us; Salisbury came with a periwig to Bidolph they all went about 6; Henthorne about 4; Minshall & Morgan stayd all night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th May 1690. Monday, Bostock & his men & Foster came to work; Mr Traverse came to see us & Savage to daughter Mainwaring; they dined with us, Bidolph Angell & Morgan daughters & sister Anne went (about 3) to Utkington; retorned about 7; Angell about 5; Traverse supt with us;.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 9th June 1690. Monday, Bidolph, Offley, &c. dined with us; Offley went to Utkington in the afternoone; retorned past 9, &c. the 2 Husseys went away about 5.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th July 1690. Friday, Huson, & Tomkinson went to Shotwick, Cheshire past 9; after dinner Mainwaring & Bidolph went to Utkinton, Cheshire; my sonne (age 39), Lloyd & Jack Whitley went also abroad; retorned late.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 19th July 1690. Satorday, after dinner daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire & Peover & I & my sonne (age 39) to Chester, alighted at Wrights, went to the Angells; thence I went to Booth's; there was Fernaugh & 2 others, they stayd not; I discoursed him about sister Whitley's suites; proposed a reference; left him presently; discoursed awhile with Anderson in the streete; went to the Sunne, there met Viccars, Jones, Parry, Murray, & Deane; Murray's brother came to us & the barber to trimme me; I left them past 6; went to Jackson's; there came to me Crosse, Gray, Farington, Bradshaw; then the Governor & Bell; they drank a glasse of wine & left us presently; after, I & sonne took coach (about 8) went home.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 21st July 1690. Monday, Alderman Mainwaring's man brought me 2 Irish letters from my sonne (age 39); Crosse & Cotton came about sealing Cotton's lease for his house without the Norgate; dined with us; went past 2: daughters & sisters went to Utkinton, Cheshire, retorned at 8; G. Taylor came from Peover with a letter & venison from daughter Mainwaring.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th September 1690. Thursday, Bidolph Morgan & sonne (age 39) went a coursing; Traverse came with them home,& dined; after dinner I, sonne, Bidolph & Morgan went to Utkington; there was Crew, Church, Damport, Huxley, another (a stranger),&c. we came at 4, parted at 6; came home; Mainwaring came back after I was in bed; the gardner went to Warburton with venison.
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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Roger Whitley's Diary. 23rd September 1690. Tuesday, Huson went early towards Mold assises; about 9 my sonne (age 39) & Morgan went after him; after dinner Mainwaring went to Utkington; Traverse & Bonnell dined with us; Grantham came after dinner; brother Robinson stayd all night.