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: Kennedy
In February 1770 Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa was born to [his father] Archibald Kennedy 11th Earl Cassilis (age 50).
On 18th December 1792 David Kennedy 10th Earl Cassilis (age 58) died unmarried. His second cousin once removed [his father] Archibald (age 72) succeeded 11th Earl Cassilis at which time he was lviign in New York. Baronet Kennedy of Culzean in Ayrshire extinct.
On 1st June 1793 Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 23) and Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 21) were married. He the son of Archibald Kennedy 11th Earl Cassilis (age 73).
On 4th June 1794 [his son] Archibald Kennedy was born to Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 24) and [his wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 22).
On 30th December 1794 [his father] Archibald Kennedy 11th Earl Cassilis (age 74) died. His son Archibald (age 24) succeeded 12th Earl Cassilis.
On 26th June 1797 [his daughter] Anne Kenendy was born to Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 27) and [his wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 25). She married 10th August 1821 David Baird 2nd Baronet and had issue.
In 1802 [his son] John Kennedy Erskine was born to Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 31) and [his wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 30). He married 5th July 1827 Augusta Fitz-Clarence and had issue.
1816. William Owen (age 47). Portrait of Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 45).
On 10th August 1821 [his son-in-law] David Baird 2nd Baronet (age 26) and [his daughter] Anne Kenendy (age 24) were married. She the daughter of Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 51) and [his wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 49).
On 5th July 1827 [his son] John Kennedy Erskine (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Augusta Fitz-Clarence (age 23) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of King William IV of the United Kingdom (age 61) and Dorothea Bland aka "Mrs Jordan". He the son of Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 57) and [his wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 55).
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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In 1831 [his son] John Kennedy Erskine (age 29) died.
In 1831 Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 60) was created 1st Marquess Ailsa. [his wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 59) by marriage Marchioness Ailsa.
On 12th August 1832 [his son] Archibald Kennedy (age 38) died.
On 8th September 1846 Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa (age 76) died. His grandson [his grandson] Archibald (age 30) succeeded 2nd Marquess Ailsa.
On 5th January 1848 [his former wife] Margaret Erskine Marchioness Ailsa (age 76) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 16 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Kennedy 3rd Earl Cassilis 10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Kennedy of Culzean 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Kennedy Countess Cassilis 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Kennedy of Culzean 12 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander Kennedy of Craigoch and Kilhenzie 13 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Archibald Kenndy 14 x Great Grand Son of
Father: Archibald Kennedy 11th Earl Cassilis 15 x Great Grand Son of
Archibald Kennedy 1st Marquess of Ailsa 16 x Great Grand Son of