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: Oxley
On 23rd March 1840 [his father] John Francis Oxley (age 22) and [his mother] Isabella Richardson (age 20) were married. He a Cloth-dresser. Both resident at Woodhouse. His father's name [his grandfather] Henry Oxley. He a Cloth-dresser. Her father's name [his grandfather] William Richardson.
In 1848 John Oxley was born to [his father] John Francis Oxley (age 30) and [his mother] Isabella Richardson (age 28).
30th March 1851. 1851 Census Yorkshire Leeds St Saviours Ellerby Street. 10 Ellerby Street.
[his father] John Francis Oxley (age 33). Head. 33.
[his mother] Isabella Richardson (age 31). Wife. 32.
[his brother] William Oxley (age 8). Son. 8.
[his sister] Martha Elizabeth Oxley (age 5). Daughter. 5.
John Oxley (age 3). Son. 3.
Isabella Richardson: On or before 30th May 1819 she was born to William Richardson. She was baptised on 30th May 1819 at Beeston, Leeds. On 23rd March 1840 John Francis Oxley and she were married. He a Cloth-dresser. Both resident at Woodhouse. His father's name Henry Oxley. He a Cloth-dresser. Her father's name William Richardson.
William Oxley: Around 1843 he was born to John Francis Oxley and Isabella Richardson.
Martha Elizabeth Oxley: Around 1846 she was born to John Francis Oxley and Isabella Richardson.
1861. 1861 Census Leeds. 31 Potter Street, Hunslet.
[his mother] Isabella Richardson (age 41). Wife. Married. 41. Beeston, Leeds.
[his brother] William Oxley (age 18). Son. 18. Pupil Teacher. Ditto.
[his sister] Martha Elizabeth Oxley (age 15). Daughter. 15. Millhand. Ditto.
John Oxley (age 13). Son. 13. Errand Boy. Ditto.
[his brother] Henry Oxley (age 8). Son. 8. Scholar. Ditto.
In or before 1872 John Oxley (age 23) and Caroline m Oxley (age 23) were married.
Around 1872 [his son] Henry Scott Oxley was born to John Oxley (age 24) and [his wife] Caroline m Oxley (age 24).
Around 1879 [his son] Francis Percy Oxley was born to John Oxley (age 31) and [his wife] Caroline m Oxley (age 31).
1881. 1881 Census Yorkshire Leeds Holbeck Woolwich Street. 5 Woolwich Street.
John Oxley (age 33). Head. 33. Machine Smith.
[his wife] Caroline m Oxley (age 33). Wife. 33.
[his son] Henry Scott Oxley (age 9). Son. 9.
[his son] Francis Percy Oxley (age 2). Son. 2.
Caroline m Oxley: Around 1848 she was born. In or before 1872 John Oxley and she were married.
Henry Scott Oxley: Around 1872 he was born to John Oxley and Caroline m Oxley.
Francis Percy Oxley: Around 1879 he was born to John Oxley and Caroline m Oxley.
GrandFather: Henry Oxley
Father: John Francis Oxley
GrandFather: William Richardson
Mother: Isabella Richardson