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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: Capet
Maternal Family Tree: Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois 1160
1137 Marriage of Prince Louis and Eleanor of Aquitaine
1152 King Louis and Queen Eleanor's Annulment
1154 Louis VII marries Constance of Castile
1160 Louis VII marries Adela of Blois
On 25th July 1137 [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks (age 17) and [his step-mother] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 15) were married at the Cathedral of Saint-André, Bordeaux [Map] by Archbishop Geoffrey of Loroux. Her father William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine had died some three months previously leaving Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England as a ward of Louis's father [his grandfather] Louis VI King of the Franks (age 55) who quickly married her to his son Louis with a view to the Duchy of Aquitaine becoming joined with the Kingdom of France. A week later Louis VI King of the Franks died and his son Louis and Eleanor became King and Queen of France. She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of Louis VI King of the Franks and [his grandmother] Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were third cousin once removed.
Eleanor gave Louis a rock-crystal vase as a wedding gift which he subsequently gave to Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis. The vase is now in the Louvre.
Crystal vase, 'of Eleanor'. Crystal: Iran (?), 6th-7th century (?). Mounting: Saint-Denis, before 1147; 13th and 14th centuries. Rock crystal, nielloed and gilded silver, precious stones, pearls, champlevé enamels on silver. Originating from the treasury of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. Inscription: "+ HOC VAS SPONSA DEDIT A(ie)NOR-REGI LUDOVICO MITADOL(us) AVO MIHI REX S(an)C(tis)Q(ue) SUGER(ius)" (This vase, Eleanor, his spouse, gave it to King Louis, Mitadolus to his ancestor, the king to me, Suger, who have offered it to the saints).
Vase de cristal, "d'Aliénor". Cristal: Iran (?), VI-VII siécle (?). Monture: Saint-Denis, avant 1147; XIII et XIV siécles. Cristal de roche, argent niellé et doré, pierres pécieuses, perles, émaux champlevés sur argent Provient du trésor de I'abbaye de Saint-Denis. Inscription: "+ HOC VAS SPONSA DEDIT A(ie)NOR-REGI LUDOVICO MITADOL(us) AVO MIHI REX S(an)C(tis)Q(ue) SUGER(ius)". (ce vase, Aliénor, son épouse, l'a donné au roi Lous, Mitadolus a son aïeul, le roi à moi, Suger, qui l'ai offert aux saints).
Archbishop Geoffrey of Loroux: In 1137 he was appointed Archbishop of Bordeaux. On 18th July 1155 he died.
William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine: William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine were married. She by marriage Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine and Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine. In 1099 he was born to William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine and Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine at Toulouse. On 10th February 1127 William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine died. His son William succeeded X Duke Aquitaine. On 9th April 1137 William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine died. His daughter Eleanor succeeded XI Duchess Aquitaine.
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On 21st March 1152 the marriage of [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks (age 32) and [his step-mother] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 30) was dissolved by Hugh Toucy Archbishop of Sens at the Château de Beaugency on the grounds of consanguinity. Both Louis and Eleanor were present as were the Archbishops of Rouen and Bordeaux. Samson Mauvoison Archbishop of Reims acted on behalf of Eleanor. In dissolving the marriage Louis lost control of the Duchy of Aquitaine which was to have far reaching consequences for the next three centuries.
In 1154 [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks (age 34) and Constance of Castile Queen of the Franks (age 14) were married in Orléans. She by marriage Queen of the Franks. Somewhat curiously they were more closely related than Louis and his first wife [his step-mother] Eleanor of Aquitaine (age 32) whose marriage had been annulled on account of consanguinity. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon (age 48) and Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon. He the son of [his grandfather] Louis VI King of the Franks and [his grandmother] Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were second cousins.
On 13th November 1160 [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks (age 40) and [his mother] Adèle Queen of the Franks were married a month or so after his second wife (deceased) had died in childbirth; Louis needed an heir. She by marriage Queen of the Franks. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and [his grandmother] Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. He the son of [his grandfather] Louis VI King of the Franks and [his grandmother] Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were third cousin once removed. She a great granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
On 22nd August 1165 King Philip II of France was born to [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks (age 45) and [his mother] Adèle Queen of the Franks in Gonesse. The much longed for heir to the crown of France. He was also given the name 'Dieu Donné' meaning God Given. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
On 28th April 1180 King Philip II of France (age 14) and Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 10) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut (age 30) and Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders. He the son of Louis VII King of the Franks (age 60) and Adèle Queen of the Franks. They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
On 18th September 1180 [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks (age 60) died in Paris [Map]. His son Philip (age 15) succeeded II King France: Capet.
On 1st November 1180 King Philip II of France (age 15) was crowned King France: Capet.
On 5th September 1187 [his son] King Louis VIII of France was born to King Philip II of France (age 22) and [his wife] Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 17). He a great x 3 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. He married 23rd May 1200 his third cousin Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France, daughter of Alfonso VIII King Castile and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile, and had issue.
On 14th March 1190 twin boys Robert Capet and Philip Capet were born to King Philip II of France (age 24) and [his wife] Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 19). The eldest Robert died the same day, the youngest Philip died three days later. Their mother Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France died from childbirth the day after the birth.
Chronicum Anglicanum by Ralph Coggeshall. In the same year [1193], the same king took to wife1 the sister of the King of Denmark, named Ingeborg, a maiden endowed with marvellous beauty. But after the marriage he repudiated her, and placed her among the nuns at Soissons; and he immediately ordered all the Danes who had come with her to return home.
Eodem anno, idem rex sororem regis Daciæ, nomine Ingelburgh, puellam mirabili decore præditam, accepit in uxorem, quam post nuptias repudians, inter sanctimoniales apud Suessionem collocavit; omnesque Dacos, qui cum illa advenerant, illico repatriare jussit.
Note 1. King Philip II of France (age 27) married [his future wife] Ingeborg of Denmark (age 19) on 14th August 1193. Three months later he sought an annulment of the marriage on the grounds of her consanguinity with his first wife [his former wife] Isabel of Hainault. Ingeborg was held in captivity for twenty years before being reconciled with Philip in 1213. Ralph de Decito: "Philip, king of the Franks, took to wife the sister of the king of Denmark; but because the divorce between them was solemnly carried out unexpectedly, this was spoken of among the people far more than the royal wedding which had previously taken place at the city of Amiens on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin [15th August 1193]. Separated from the king, the queen preferred to live among the nuns at Soissons rather than to return to her father's home in Denmark."
On 15th August 1193 King Philip II of France (age 27) and Ingeborg Estridsen Queen Consort France (age 19) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark. He the son of Louis VII King of the Franks and Adèle Queen of the Franks.
Around November 1193 King Philip II of France (age 28) and Ingeborg Estridsen Queen Consort France (age 19) marriage annulled on the spurious grounds of her consanguinity with his first wife Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France. She was kept, more or less, a prisoner for the remainder of her life being held in difference French castles.
On 4th February 1194 King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 36) was released from his captivity; his mother [his step-mother] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 72) having brought the ransom of 100,000 pounds of silver. On release King Philip II of France (age 28) is said to have sent a message to the future King John (age 27) "Look to yourself; the devil is loose".
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Around July 1195 King Philip II of France (age 29) proposed Eleanor "Fair Maid of Britanny" 4th Countess of Richmond (age 11) marry his son [his son] King Louis VIII of France (age 7) as part of peace negotiations with King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 37).
On 20th August 1195 [his brother-in-law] William Montgomery IV Count Ponthieu (age 16) and [his half-sister] Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu (age 34) were married. She by marriage Countess Ponthieu. She the daughter of [his father] Louis VII King of the Franks and Constance of Castile Queen of the Franks. He the son of John Montgomery I Count Ponthieu and Beatrice St Pol Countess Ponthieu (age 50). They were third cousin once removed.
On 7th May 1196 King Philip II of France (age 30) and Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Berthold Andechs Duke Merania and Agnes Rochlitz. He the son of Louis VII King of the Franks and Adèle Queen of the Franks.
In 1197 [his half-sister] Alix Capet Countess Blois (age 46) died.
In 1198 [his daughter] Marie Capet was born to King Philip II of France (age 32) and [his wife] Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England. She married (1) 1211 her half third cousin once removed Philip Flanders I Marquis Namur, son of Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut and Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders (2) 22nd April 1213 Henry Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine I Duke Brabant, son of Godfrey Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine and Margaret Luxemburg Duchess Lower Lorraine, and had issue.
On 11th March 1198 [his half-sister] Marie Capet Countess Champagne (age 53) died.
On 26th March 1199 King Richard "Lionheart" I of England (age 41) was besieging Châlus Chabrol Castle. During the course of the evening King Richard "Lionheart" I of England was shot by a crossbow. The wound quickly became gangrenous; Richard died in the arms of his mother [his step-mother] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 77) on 6th April 1199. His brother John (age 32) succeeded I King of England.
There was a brother between Richard and John named Geoffrey Duke of Brittany who had a son Arthur (age 11), who was around twelve, and a daughter Eleanor (age 15), who was around fifteen, whose mother was Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany (age 38).
King Philip II of France (age 33) had planned for Eleanor to marry his son, probably to bring Brittany into the French Royal family, possibly to pursue a claim on England.
King Philip II of France supported Arthur's claim to the English throne. In the resulting war Arthur was captured, imprisoned and never seen again. Eleanor was captured, probably around the same time as Arthur, and imprisoned, more or less, for the remainder of her life, even after King John's death through the reign of King Henry III since she represented a threat to Henry's succession.
23rd May 1200 [his son] King Louis VIII of France (age 12) and [his daughter-in-law] Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France (age 12) were married. She the daughter of Alfonso VIII King Castile (age 44) and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile (age 38). He the son of King Philip II of France (age 34) and [his former wife] Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France. They were third cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In July 1200 [his son] Philip Capet Count Boulogne was born to King Philip II of France (age 34) and [his wife] Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France. He a great x 3 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. He married his third cousin Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal, daughter of Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale and Ida Metz Countess Boulogne.
On 24th August 1200 King John of England (age 33) and Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England (age 12) were married. She had been engaged to Hugh IX of Lusignan IV Count of La Marche (age 37) who subsequently appealed to King Philip II of France (age 35), their feudal overlord, who used the position to justify a war against John. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême (age 40) and Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and [his step-mother] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 78). They were fourth cousin once removed.
In 1201 [his wife] Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France died.
On 12th November 1202 [his former brother-in-law] Canute VI King of Denmark (age 39) died. In 1202 His brother [his former brother-in-law] Valdemar (age 32) succeeded I King of Denmark.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1205 [his former brother-in-law] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 34) and Dagmar of Bohemia (age 19) were married. He the son of Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark and Sophia of Minsk.
In 1211 [his son-in-law] Philip Flanders I Marquis Namur (age 36) and [his daughter] Marie Capet (age 13) were married. He died a year later. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of King Philip II of France (age 45) and [his former wife] Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France. He the son of [his former father-in-law] Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut and [his former mother-in-law] Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
On 22nd April 1213 [his son-in-law] Henry Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine I Duke Brabant (age 48) and [his daughter] Marie Capet (age 15) were married. The difference in their ages was 33 years. She the daughter of King Philip II of France (age 47) and [his former wife] Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France. He the son of Godfrey Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine and Margaret Luxemburg Duchess Lower Lorraine.
In 1214 [his former brother-in-law] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 43) and Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark (age 16) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Denmark. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal and Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark and Sophia of Minsk.
Around 1220 [his half-sister] Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu (age 59) died.
On 14th July 1223 King Philip II of France (age 57) died. His son Louis (age 35) succeeded VIII King France: Capet. [his daughter-in-law] Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France (age 35) by marriage Queen Consort of France.
On 29th July 1237 [his former wife] Ingeborg Estridsen Queen Consort France (age 63) died.
[his son] Peirre Chalot Capet Bishop Noyen was born to King Philip II of France and Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France. He a great x 3 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
Kings Wessex: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex
Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Kings Franks: Great x 10 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 4 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 8 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh I King of the Franks 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide Poitiers Queen Consort France
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles
Great x 3 Grandmother: Constance Arles Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide Blanche Ingelger Queen Consort West Francia
Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandfather: Yaroslav "The Wise" Rurik
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia
GrandFather: Louis VI King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnulf Gerulfing Count Holland 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Dirk Gerulfing III Count Holland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Luitgarde Luxemburg Countess Holland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Floris Gerulfing I Count Holland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Othelindis d Bernard Margrave Nordmark Count Holland
Great x 1 Grandmother: Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bernard I Duke of Saxony
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bernard II Duke of Saxony
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gertrude Billung Countess Holland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Schweinfurt
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eilika Schweinfurt Duchess Saxony
Father: Louis VII King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humbert "White Handed" Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Otto Savoy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy
GrandMother: Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Reginald Ivrea I Count Burgundy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ermentrude Countess Burgundy
Great x 2 Grandfather: William I Count Burgundy
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy
King Philip II of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Odo Blois I Count Blois 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Odo Blois II Count Blois
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bertha Welf Queen Consort France
Great x 2 Grandfather: Theobald Blois III Count Blois
Great x 4 Grandfather: William IV Auvergne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ermengarde Auvergne Countess Blois
Great x 1 Grandfather: Stephen Blois II Count Blois and Chartres
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Maine III Count Maine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Herbert "Wakedog" Maine I Count Maine
Great x 4 Grandmother: Unamed Penthièvre Countess Maine
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gersenda Maine Countess Blois
GrandFather: Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy
Great x 2 Grandfather: King William "Conqueror" I of England -2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Father of Beatrix and Herleva
Great x 3 Grandmother: Herleva of Falaise
Great x 1 Grandmother: Adela Normandy Countess Blois Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin "Bearded" IV Count Flanders
Great x 3 Grandfather: Baldwin "The Good" V Count Flanders
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ogive Luxemburg Countess Flanders
Great x 2 Grandmother: Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Adela Capet Duchess Normandy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Arles Queen Consort France
Mother: Adèle Queen of the Franks Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Engelbert II Duke of Carinthia
GrandMother: Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois