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: Cave
In or before 1493 [his father] Richard Cave of Stanford in Northamptonshire and Elizabeth Mervin (age 23) were married.
In 1495 [his father] Richard Cave of Stanford in Northamptonshire and [his step-mother] Margaret Saxby (age 23) were married.
Around 1502 Ambrose Cave was born to [his father] Richard Cave of Stanford in Northamptonshire.
In 1538 [his father] Richard Cave of Stanford in Northamptonshire died.
On 25th April 1559 [his daughter] Margaret Cave was born to Ambrose Cave (age 57). She married 16th July 1566 Henry Knollys and had issue.
On 16th July 1566 [his son-in-law] Henry Knollys (age 24) and [his daughter] Margaret Cave (age 7) were married.
On 2nd April 1568 Ambrose Cave (age 66) died. Monument at St Nicholas' Church, Stanford-on-Avon [Map].
Vesta Monumenta. 1733. Plate 1.39 depicts Tutbury Castle. Engraving by George Vertue (age 49) after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Vesta Monumenta. 1733. Plate 1.40 depicts Melbourne Castle [Map]. Engraving by George (age 49) Vertue after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Vesta Monumenta. 1734. Plate 1.42. Pontefract Castle [Map]. Engraving by George (age 50) Vertue after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Vesta Monumenta. 1734. Plate 1.44. Knaresborough Castle [Map]. Engraving by George (age 50) Vertue after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
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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Vesta Monumenta. 1734. Plate 1.41. Lancaster Castle [Map] and Priory Church [Map]. Engraving by George (age 50) Vertue after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Vesta Monumenta. 1737. Plate 1.46. Tickhill Castle [Map]. Engraving by George (age 53) Vertue after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Vesta Monumenta. 1753. Plate 2.13. Clitheroe Castle [Map]. Engraving by George Vertue (age 69) after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.
Vesta Monumenta. 1753. Plate 2.11. Sandal Castle [Map]. Engraving by George Vertue (age 69) after a drawing originally produced for a survey of the properties of the Duchy of Lancaster conducted by the Chancellor of the Duchy, Ambrose Cave, in 1561.