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: Aberffraw
Around 1055 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd was born to [his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd [aged 20] and [his mother] Ragnaillt Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd.
Around 1063 [his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd [aged 28] died.
On 5th August 1063 Gruffydd ap Llywelyn King Wales was killed. The Ulster Chronicle states that he was killed by Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd in 1064, whose father Iago had been put to death by Gruffydd in 1039.
In 1081 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 26] and Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth [aged 16] met at St David's at which they agreed to combine forces.
In 1081 the Battle of Mynydd Carn was fought between the armies of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 26] and Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth [aged 16], and the army of Caradog ap Gruffydd Prince of Gwent and Trahaearn ap Caradog [aged 46] as part of a dynastic struggle for control of the Welsh kingdoms of Gwynedd and Deheubarth. The result of the battle had a radical effect on the history of Wales.
Caradog ap Gruffydd Prince of Gwent, Meilir ap Rhiwallon [aged 46] and Trahaearn ap Caradog were killed.
In 1081 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 26] succeeded King Gwynedd. [his future wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 16] by marriage Queen Consort Gwynedd.
In 1081 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 26] was imprisoned by Hugh of Avranches 1st Earl Chester [aged 34] at Chester Castle [Map].
In 1094 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 39] escaped at Chester Castle [Map].
Before 1097 [his son] Cadwallon ap Gruffudd Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 41] and [his future wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 31]. He died aged less than one years old.
In 1097 [his son] Cadwallon ap Gruffudd Aberffraw died.
In or before 1100 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 44] and Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 34] were married. He the son of Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd and Ragnaillt Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd. They were second cousin once removed.
Around 1100 [his grandson-in-law] Cadwaladr ap Gruffudd Aberffraw and [his daughter-in-law] Gwerfel ferch Gwrgan Unknown were married. He the son of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 45] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 35].
Around 1100 [his grandson-in-law] Cadwaladr ap Gruffudd Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 45] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 35]. He married (1) Alice Clare Baroness Percy Topcliffe and had issue (2) his niece Tangwystl ferch Cadwallon and had issue (3) 1100 Gwerfel ferch Gwrgan Unknown and had issue.
Around 1100 [his son] Owain "Great" King Gwynedd was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 45] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 35]. He married (1) before 1130 Gwladus Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd and had issue (2) 1145 his first cousin Cristin ferch Goronwy Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd and had issue.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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Around 1100 [his daughter] Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 45] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 35]. She married 1113 her half second cousin once removed Gruffudd ap Rhys King Deheubarth, son of Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth and Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon Mathrafal Queen Consort Deheubarth, and had issue.
Around 1113 [his son-in-law] Gruffudd ap Rhys King Deheubarth [aged 32] and Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Deheubarth. She the daughter of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 58] and Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 48]. He the son of Rhys ap Tewdwr King Deheubarth and Gwladys ferch Rhiwallon Mathrafal Queen Consort Deheubarth [aged 53]. They were half second cousin once removed.
Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 1120. Ralph, archbishop of Canterbury, retựrned to England on Sunday the second of the nones of January [4th January 1120]; and on Sunday the second of the nones of April [4th April 1120], at Westminster, he consecrated to the bishopric of Banger a venerable clerk named David, who was chosen by king Griffyth [aged 65] and the clergy and people of Wales. At this consecration he was assisted by Richard, bishop of London, Robert, bishop of Lincoln, Roger of Salisbury, and Urban of Glamorgan [aged 44].
Note. Bishop David the Scot was consecrated Bishop of Bangor.
Before 1130 Owain "Great" King Gwynedd [aged 29] and Gwladus Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Gwynedd. He the son of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 74] and Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 64].
In 1132 [his son] Mareda Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 77] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 67].
In 1136 a battle, or skirmish, was fought at Maes Gwenllian [Map] between the Welsh forces of [his daughter] Gwenllian [aged 36], wife of [his son-in-law] Gruffydd [aged 55], with her two sons, and the Norman force of Maurice de Londres. Gwenllian and her two sons [his grandson] Morgan Dinefwr and Maelgwn Dinefwr were killed.
Before 1137 [his daughter] Susanna Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 81] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 71]. She married before 1150 her second cousin once removed Madog ap Maredudd Mathrafal Prince Powys and had issue.
Before 1137 [his daughter] Agnes Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 81] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 71].
Before 1137 [his son] Ranulht Aberffraw was born to King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 81] and [his wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 71].
In 1137 King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd [aged 82] died. His son Owain [aged 37] succeeded King Gwynedd.
In 1162 [his former wife] Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd [aged 97] died.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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[his father] Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd and [his mother] Ragnaillt Unknown Queen Consort Gwynedd were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Gwynedd. He the son of [his grandfather] Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig Aberffraw Prince Gwynedd.
Kings Gwynedd: Son of Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd
Kings Powys: Great x 7 Grand Son of Cadell ap Brochfael King Powys
Owain "Great" King Gwynedd [1]
Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth [1]
King Robert II of Scotland [1]
King Richard II of England [1]
Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [1]
Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland [2]
King Richard III of England [5]
Anne Neville Queen Consort England [8]
King Henry VII of England and Ireland [3]
Queen Anne Boleyn of England [8]
Catherine Parr Queen Consort England [14]
Queen Catherine Howard of England [6]
Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [2]
Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland [15]
King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [2]
Maximilian "The Great" Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria I Elector Bavaria [2]
Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress [2]
Marie de Medici Queen Consort France [2]
Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [4]
George Wharton [89]
Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain [4]
Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress [4]
John George Wettin Elector Saxony [2]
Frederick William "Great Elector" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg [2]
Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia [4]
Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia [4]
Hedwig Eleonora Queen Consort Sweden [2]
Charlotte Amalie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [2]
Louise of Mecklenburg Güstrow Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [2]
Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain [4]
Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor [4]
Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor [4]
Adolph Frederick King Sweden [2]
President George Washington [4]
King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [4]
Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England [2]
Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [4]
Marie Sophie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [6]
Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England [4]
Frederick William III King Prussia [2]
Frederica Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort Hanover [4]
Queen Fredrika Dorotea Vilhelmina [4]
King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark [6]
Frederick William IV King Prussia [4]
Frederick VII King of Denmark [10]
Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark [12]
King Christian IX of Denmark [6]
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [8]
Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway [10]
Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia [22]
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom [22]
Maria Christina of Austria Queen Consort Spain [6]
Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [358]
Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England [12]
Frederick Charles I King Finland [12]
Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark [16]
Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain [28]
Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden [34]
Ingrid Bernadotte Queen Consort Denmark [26]
Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh [40]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [1470]
Carl XVI King Sweden [54]
Queen Consort Camilla Shand [521]
Diana Spencer Princess Wales [4378]
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anaward Aberffraw
Great x 3 Grandfather: Idwal ap Anaward "Foel aka Bald" King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandfather: Meurig ap Idwal Aberffraw
Great x 1 Grandfather: Idwal ap Meurig Aberffraw
GrandFather: Iago ab Idwal ap Meurig Aberffraw Prince Gwynedd
Father: Cynan ab Iago King Gwynedd
King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd
Great x 1 Grandfather: Sitric Silkbeard King Dublin
GrandFather: Olaf mac Sitriuc