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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Woodstock, Oxfordshire is in Oxfordshire.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 10th January 1123. And thence he went to Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map]; and his bishops and his whole court with him. Then did it betide on a Wednesday, which was on the fourth day before the ides of January, that the king [aged 55] rode in his deer-fold;146 the Bishop Roger of Salisbury147 on one side of him, and the Bishop Robert Bloet of Lincoln on the other side of him. And they rode there talking together. Then sank down the Bishop of Lincoln, and said to the king, "Lord king, I die." And the king alighted down from his horse, and lifted him betwixt his arms, and let men bear him home to his inn. There he was soon dead; and they carried him to Lincoln with great worship, and buried him before the altar of St. Mary. And the Bishop of Chester, whose name was Robert Pecceth, buried him.
Note 146. i.e. an inclosure or park for deer. This is now called Blenheim Park, and is one of the few old parks which still remain in this country.
Note 147. This may appear rather an anticipation of the modern see of Salisbury, which was not then in existence; the borough of Old Saturn, or "Saresberie", being then the episcopal seat.
In 1495 Robert Cornwall was born to Laurence Cornwall [aged 35] at Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map].
In 1530 Richard Cornwall was born to Robert Cornwall [aged 35] at Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map].
In 1548 Robert Cornwall [aged 53] died at Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th May 1554. The xx day of May my lade Elsabeth [aged 20] the quen('s) [aged 38] syster cam owt of the Towre, and toke her barge at Towre warfe [Map], and so to Rychemond [Map], and from thens unto Wyndsor [Map], and so to Wodstoke [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th October 1664. At Oxford. Went through Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map], where we beheld the destruction of that royal seat and park by the late rebels, and arrived that evening at Cornbury, a house lately built by the Earl of Denbigh [Note. Mistake by Evelyn; should be Earl of Danby], in the middle of a sweet park, walled with a dry wall. The house is of excellent freestone, abounding in that part, (a stone that is fine, but never sweats, or casts any damp); it is of ample dimensions, has goodly cellars, the paving of the hall admirable for its close laying. We designed a handsome chapel that was yet wanting: as Mr. May [aged 43] had the stables, which indeed are very fair, having set out the walks in the parks and gardens. The lodge is a pretty solitude, and the ponds very convenient; the park well stored.
On 31st August 1774 Charles Turner was born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map].
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 10th January 1123. And thence he went to Woodstock, Oxfordshire [Map]; and his bishops and his whole court with him. Then did it betide on a Wednesday, which was on the fourth day before the ides of January, that the king [aged 55] rode in his deer-fold;146 the Bishop Roger of Salisbury147 on one side of him, and the Bishop Robert Bloet of Lincoln on the other side of him. And they rode there talking together. Then sank down the Bishop of Lincoln, and said to the king, "Lord king, I die." And the king alighted down from his horse, and lifted him betwixt his arms, and let men bear him home to his inn. There he was soon dead; and they carried him to Lincoln with great worship, and buried him before the altar of St. Mary. And the Bishop of Chester, whose name was Robert Pecceth, buried him.
Note 146. i.e. an inclosure or park for deer. This is now called Blenheim Park, and is one of the few old parks which still remain in this country.
Note 147. This may appear rather an anticipation of the modern see of Salisbury, which was not then in existence; the borough of Old Saturn, or "Saresberie", being then the episcopal seat.
In 1744 John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough was reburied in the Chapel of Blenheim Palace.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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In 1813 Caroline Spencer Viscountess Clifden [aged 50] died at Blenheim Palace.
The Times. 1st February 1817. On Thursday at his seat at Blenheim, George Spencer, Duke of Marlborough, Marquis of Blandford [deceased], &c. His Grace was born the 26th January, 1739. He was found dead in his bed at 7 o'clock in the morning. He had for some time been in a very infirm state, though he had experienced very little severe indisposition. By his death there became vacant a blue riband of the Order of the Garter, the Lord Lieutenancy of Oxfordshire, the Rangership of Whichwood forest, and the High Stewardship of Oxford and Woodstock.