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: Grandison
Maternal Family Tree: Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison
Before 1289 [her father] William Grandison 1st Baron Grandison (age 26) and [her mother] Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison were married.
Around 1304 Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury was born to [her father] William Grandison 1st Baron Grandison (age 42) and [her mother] Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison at Ashford, Herefordshire.
In 1306 [her brother-in-law] John Northwoode and [her sister] Agnes Grandison Baroness Bardolf (age 17) were married.
On 18th October 1319 William Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu (age 44) died at Gascony [Map]. His son [her future husband] William (age 18) succeeded 3rd Baron Montagu.
Around 1320 William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 19) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 16) were married. She by marriage Baroness Montagu.
In or before 1324 [her daughter] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer was born to [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 22) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 19). She married (1) 1328 Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere, son of Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere and Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere (2) before 27th April 1341 Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, son of Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer and Eleanor Clare Baroness Zouche Mortimer (3) before 10th July 1350 Guy de Bryan and had issue.
On 10th August 1327 [her brother] Bishop John Grandison 3rd Baron Grandison (age 35) was appointed Bishop of Exeter.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 18th October 1327 [her brother] Bishop John Grandison 3rd Baron Grandison (age 35) was consecrated Bishop of Exeter.
Around 1328 [her son-in-law] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere (age 13) and Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer (age 4) were married. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 27) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 24).
On 25th June 1328 [her son] William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury was born to [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 27) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 24). He married (1) November 1340 Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales, daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and Margaret Wake Countess Kent (2) after 7th August 1385 his half fifth cousin once removed Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury, daughter of John Mohun 2nd Baron Mohun of Dunster and Joan Burghesh Baroness Dunster, and had issue.
Around 1330 [her daughter] Sybil Montagu was born to [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 29) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 26). She married before 16th July 1347 Edmund Fitzalan, son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey and Isabel Despencer Countess Arundel, and had issue.
Around 1330 [her son] John Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Baron Monthermer was born to [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 29) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 26). He married before 1350 Margaret Monthermer Baroness Montagu 3rd Baroness Monthermer, daughter of Thomas Monthermer 2nd Baron Monthermer and Margaret Brewes Baroness Monthermer, and had issue.
On 10th June 1330 [her brother] Piers Grandison 2nd Baron Grandison (age 39) and [her sister-in-law] Blanche Mortimer Baroness Grandison (age 18) were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 43) and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 44).
In 1331 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Bardolf 2nd Baron Bardolf (age 48) and [her sister] Agnes Grandison Baroness Bardolf (age 42) were married. She by marriage Baroness Bardolf of Wormegay in Norfolk.
In 1332 [her daughter] Philippa Montagu Countess March was born to [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 31) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 28). She married before 1352 Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March, son of Edmund Mortimer and Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton, and had issue.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In 1333 [her brother-in-law] Bishop Simon Montagu was appointed Bishop of Worcester.
On 27th June 1335 [her father] William Grandison 1st Baron Grandison (age 73) died at Lambourne, Berkshire [Map]. His son [her brother] Piers (age 44) succeeded 2nd Baron Grandison. [her sister-in-law] Blanche Mortimer Baroness Grandison (age 23) by marriage Baroness Grandison.
In 1337 [her brother-in-law] Bishop Simon Montagu was appointed Bishop of Ely.
In January 1337 King Edward III of England (age 24) created a number of new Earldom's probably in preparation for his forthcoming war against France...
[her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 36) was created 1st Earl Salisbury. Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 33) by marriage Countess Salisbury.
William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton (age 27) was created 1st Earl of Northampton. Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton (age 24) by marriage Countess of Northampton.
Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 46) was created 1st Earl Gloucester probably as compensation for his daughter Margaret Audley Countess Stafford (age 19) having been abducted by Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford (age 35).
Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk (age 38) was created 1st Earl Suffolk. Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk (age 51) by marriage Countess Suffolk.
Around November 1340 William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 12) and Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 12) were married. She was already married albeit secretly to Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent (age 26). The subsequent investigation found her marriage to Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent to be valid. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and Margaret Wake Countess Kent (age 43). He the son of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 39) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 36).
When this had been done, King David took counsel that he would withdraw toward the river Tyne and make for the town of Carlisle, which lies at the entrance to Wales [TBC]. As he went that way, he lodged one night near a strong castle called Salisbury [Map]1, which belonged to the Earl of Salisbury, who had been taken with the Earl of Suffolk before Lille in Flanders and was still imprisoned in the Châtelet at Paris. In this strong castle dwelt the noble Lady of Salisbury (age 37)2, one of the most beautiful and valiant ladies in England. The castle was well garrisoned with good men-at-arms, and its castellan was a noble squire, son of the sister of the Earl of Salisbury, named Sir William Montagu after his uncle, who bore the same name. When that night had passed, the king and all his host broke camp and marched toward Carlisle, passing before Salisbury laden and filled with the treasures they had taken at Durham. When Sir William Montagu saw that they had all passed and did not halt to assault the castle, he went out with sixty men-at-arms and secretly followed their train. He overtook the rearguard, so heavily burdened with baggage that they could scarcely move forward, at the entrance of a wood. He and his companions slew more than two hundred of them and drove off toward the castle of Salisbury about one hundred and twenty hackneys and horses laden with goods.
Quant ce fut fait, le roy David eut conseil qu'il se retrairoit par devers la riviere de Thyen et tireroit vers la ville de Carduueil, qui est à l'entrée de Gales. Ainsy que là aloit, il se loga une nuit emprez ung fort chastel qu'on clame Salbry, qui estoit au conte de Salbri, lequel fut pris avecques le conte de Suffort devant Lisle en Flandres, et encores estoient en Chastelet à Paris. En ce fort chastel sejournoit la noble dame de Salbri, qui estoit une des belles et des vaillans dames d'Angleterre. Si estoit le chastel bien garny de bons hommes d'armes, et en estoit chastelain ung gentil escuier filz à la seur du conte de Salbri, et avoit nom messire Guillaume de Montagu aprez son oncle, qui ainsy eut nom, Quant celle nuit fut passée, le roy se desloga et tout l'ost aussy; si tirerent vers Carduueilh et passerrent devant Salbri, chargiez et plains des tresors qu'ilz avoient conquis à Duraine. Quant ledit messire Guillaume de Montagu vit qu'iz estoient tous passez et qu'ilz n'arrestoient point. pour assaillir le chastel, il issi hors à tout LX compaignons d'armes et siwy couvertement le train, et raconsuit les derrains tant chargiez de bagues qu'ilz ne pouoient aler avant, à l'entrée d'ung bos. Si en tuerent, luy et ses compaignons plus de IIc et enmena les haquenées et les chevaulx chargiez par devers le chastel de Salbri bien environ VIXX.
Note 1. According to S. Luce (Froissart, vol. II, p. XLIV, note 4), this would be the castle of Wark, situated between Newcastle and Carlisle, on the left bank of the Tyne. Cf. Kervyn de Lettenhove, Froissart, vol. II, p. 516.
1. Ce serait, d'après S. Luce (Froissart, t. Il, p. xuiv, note 4), le château de Wark, situé entre Newcastle et Carlisle, sur la rive gauche de la Tyne. Cf. Kervyn de Lettenhove, Froissart, t. IL, p. 516.
Note 2. Catherine Grandison, 1304-1349, married around 1320 [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 40).
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Before 27th April 1341 [her son-in-law] Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 33) and Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer (age 17) were married. She by marriage Baroness Despencer. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 40) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 37).
On 23rd April 1344. The date somewhat unclear; it may have been before. King Edward III of England (age 31) formed the Order of the Garter. The first reliable record occurs in autumn of 1348 when the King's wardrobe account shows Garter habits being issued. The Order may have been formed before then with some traditions such as the mantle, and the garter and motto, possibly being introduced later. The Garter refers to an event at Wark Castle, Northumberland [Map] at which King Edward III of England picked up the Countess of Salisbury's fallen garter and saying to the crowd "Honi soit qui mal y pense" ie Shame on him who thinks badly of it, or possibly, he brings shame on himself who thinks badly of it. The Countess of Salisbury could refer to his future daughter-in-law Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 15) or her former mother-in-law Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 40). The event has also been described as taking place at Calais [Map].
In 1345 [her brother-in-law] Bishop Simon Montagu died.
Before 16th July 1347 [her son-in-law] Edmund Fitzalan (age 20) and Sybil Montagu (age 17) were married. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 46) and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 43). He the son of Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey (age 41) and Isabel Despencer Countess Arundel (age 35).
On 11th June 1349 [her husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury (age 48) died. His son William (age 20) succeeded 2nd Earl Salisbury, 4th Baron Montagu. Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales (age 20) by marriage Countess Salisbury.
On or before 23rd November 1349 [her daughter] Alice Montagu was born to [her former husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 45).
On or before 23rd November 1349 [her daughter] Agnes Montagu was born to [her former husband] William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 45). She married her half fifth cousin John Grey, son of Roger Grey 1st Baron Grey Ruthyn and Elizabeth Hastings Baroness Grey Ruthyn.
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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On 23rd November 1349 [her sister] Agnes Grandison Baroness Bardolf (age 60) died at Ruskington.
On 23rd November 1349 Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury (age 45) died at Bisham Abbey [Map].
King Richard III of England [1]
Anne Neville Queen Consort England [1]
Queen Anne Boleyn of England [1]
Catherine Parr Queen Consort England [1]
Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland [1]
George Wharton [7]
Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [23]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [86]
Queen Consort Camilla Shand [27]
GrandFather: Pierre Grandison
Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury
Mother: Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison