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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1861 Census is in Census.
1861. 1861 Census Thornsett Rowarth. Rowarth, Derbyshire [Map]. Cottage.
Joseph Hyde (age 33). Head. 33. Cotton Bleacher. Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map].
Mary Ann m Hyde (age 33). Wife. 33. Marple, Cheshire [Map].
James Hyde (age 8). Son. 8. Thornsett, Derbyshire [Map].
Samuel Hyde (age 6). Son. 6. Thornsett, Derbyshire [Map].
Joseph Hyde: Around 1828 he was born at Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map]. In or before 1853 Joseph Hyde and Mary Ann m Hyde were married.
Mary Ann m Hyde: Around 1828 she was born at Marple, Cheshire [Map].
Samuel Hyde: Around 1855 he was born to Joseph Hyde and Mary Ann m Hyde.
1861. 1861 Census Derbyshire Mellor District 2 Page 2. 8 Lee.
James Redford Farmer (age 37). Head. 31. Coal Miner.
Dinah m Redford (age 32). Wife. 32.
Mary Ellen Redford. Daughter. 3.
Hannah Redford (age 1). Daughter. 1.
John Clayton. Lodger. Cottonn Bleacher.
William Nightingale. Lodger. Cottonn Bleacher.
1861. 1861 Census Derbyshire Mellor Cobden Edge Page 10. Cobden Edge [Map].
Charles Hadfield (age 42). Head. 43. Farmer 38 Acres.
Ann Hadfield. Wife. 42.
Anne Hadfield (age 15). Daughter. 14. Cotton Factory Worker.
John Hadfield (age 1). Son. 1
Thomas Hadfield (age 4). Son. 4.
Anne Hadfield: Around 1846 she was born to Charles Hadfield and Ann Goodwin.
1861. 1861 Census Staffordshire Ellastone. Ellastone, Staffordshire.
Robert Oakes (age 43). Head. 43.
Margaret Oakes. Wife. 44.
George Oakes (age 18). Son. 18.
Elizabeth Oakes (age 9). Daughter. 9.
Ellen Oakes (age 7). Daughter. 7.
William Oakes. Uncle. 67.
1861. 1861 Census Surrey Lingfield District 12. Wells Bottom.
William Wood (age 53). Head. 53. Agricultural Labourer.
Eliza m Wood (age 46). Wife. 46.
Caroline Wood. Daughter. 6.
1861. 1861 Census Derbyshire Marple Page 33. Barnesfold.
John Hadfield (age 82). Head. Widower. 83. Farmer of 9 acres of land.
John Pott. Lodger. Married. 55. Farm labourer.
Ann Pott. Wife. Married. 52. Labourers wife.
Mary Pott. Daughter. Unmarried. 17. Cotton Weaver.
1861. 1861 Census Yorkshire Sowerby Bridge. 108 West End, Sowerby Bridge.
Sarah Whitworth (age 49). Head. Widow. 49. Washerwoman. Soyland?
John Bottomley (age 20). Son. Unmarried. 20. Engine Mechanic. Sowerby Bridge [Map].
William H Bottomley (age 17). Son. Unmarried. 17. Sailor. Ditto.
Frederick Bottomley (age 14). Son. Unmarried. 14. Woolen? Ditto.
Mary Hannah Bottomley (age 11). Daughter. 11. Worsted Spinner. Ditto.
1861. 1861 Census Leeds. 31 Potter Street, Hunslet.
Isabella Richardson (age 41). Wife. Married. 41. Beeston, Leeds.
William Oxley (age 18). Son. 18. Pupil Teacher. Ditto.
Martha Elizabeth Oxley (age 15). Daughter. 15. Millhand. Ditto.
John Oxley (age 13). Son. 13. Errand Boy. Ditto.
Henry Oxley (age 8). Son. 8. Scholar. Ditto.
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 Cheshire Hyde Newton District 1. Castle Street, Newton.
William Smith (age 48). Head. 48.
Martha m William Smith. Wife. 44.
Sophia Smith (age 17). Daughter. 18.
William Smith: Around 1813 he was born. In or before 1839 he and Martha m William Smith were married. Around 1875 he died.
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 Cheshire Hollingworth District 12 Page 28. Hollingworth, Cheshire [Map].
John Jackson. Head. 26.
Mary Chadwick. Wife. 27.
George Chadwick (age 21). Brother-in-law. 21.