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: Chichester
Before 18th July 1655 [his father] John Chichester 1st Baronet (age 32) and Elizabeth Rayney were married.
On 18th July 1655 [his father] John Chichester 1st Baronet (age 32) and [his mother] Mary Colley were married.
After 1659 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet was born to [his father] John Chichester 1st Baronet (age 35) and [his mother] Mary Colley.
In 1667 [his father] John Chichester 1st Baronet (age 43) died. His son [his brother] John (age 9) succeeded 2nd Baronet Chichester of Raleigh in Devon.
Around 8th September 1680 [his brother] John Chichester 2nd Baronet (age 22) died. His brother Arthur (age 21) succeeded 3rd Baronet Chichester of Raleigh in Devon.
Before 2nd January 1688 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 29) and Elizabeth Drewe were married.
On 2nd January 1688 [his son] John Chichester 4th Baronet was born to Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 29) and [his wife] Elizabeth Drewe. He married (1) before 1718 Anne Leigh and had issue (2) 1733 Frances Quicke.
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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In 1689 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1690.
In 1713 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 53) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1718.
Before 1718 [his son] John Chichester 4th Baronet (age 29) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Leigh were married.
On 3rd February 1718 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 59) died. His son John (age 30) succeeded 4th Baronet Chichester of Raleigh in Devon.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Chichester 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Chichester
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Chichester 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bourchier 1st Earl Bath 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bourchier 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Daubeney Baroness Fitzwarin 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Chichester 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Courtenay 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William "Great" Courtenay 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Cheney
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gertrude Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Gainsford
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Gainsford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Audrey Shaa
GrandFather: Robert Chichester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Denys
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Denys
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Denys
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Denys 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Blount 3rd Baron Mountjoy 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lora Berkeley Countess Ormonde 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Blount 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Grey Baroness Mountjoy, Willoughby and Latimer 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: John Chichester 1st Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Ursula Hill
Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Theodore Colley
Mother: Mary Colley