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: Villiers
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Armstrong 1544
Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey was appointed Gentlemen of the Bedchamber to King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.
Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey was appointed Master of the Robes to King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.
Before 1587 [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby [aged 42] and Audrey Saunders [aged 35] were married.
After 1590 [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby [aged 46] and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 20] were married. Some sources describe their relationship as being half-first cousin? His mother Collette Clarke was first married to her uncle Richard Beaumont so there is no relationship between George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham. The difference in their ages was 26 years.
Around 1593 Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey was born to [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby [aged 49] and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 23].
In 1606 [his brother-in-law] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 19] and [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby [aged 62] and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 36].
After 1606 Thomas Compton and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 36] were married. He the son of Henry Compton 1st Baron Compton and Anne Spencer Countess Dorset. They were half fifth cousin once removed.
On 4th January 1606 [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby [aged 62] died. He was buried at the Chapel of St Nicholas, Westminster Abbey [Map].
On 5th January 1617 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 24] was created 1st Earl Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 50]; his favourite.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 29th September 1617 [his brother] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck [aged 26] and [his sister-in-law] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck [aged 15] were married at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 51] gave away the bride. He the son of [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 47].
In 1618 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 25] was created 1st Marquess of Buckingham.
Around 13th August 1618 [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 48] was created 1st Countess Buckingham. It appears this title was for life only since her sons did not inherit it?
On 19th July 1619 [his brother] John Villiers 1st Viscount Purbeck [aged 28] was created 1st Viscount Purbeck. [his sister-in-law] Frances Coke Viscountess Purbeck [aged 16] by marriage Viscountess Purbeck.
On 16th May 1620 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 27] and [his sister-in-law] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Buckingham. She the daughter of Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 42] and Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill. He the son of [his father] George Villiers of Brokesby and [his mother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 50].
On 30th December 1620 [his brother-in-law] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 33] was created 1st Viscount Feilding, 1st Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire. [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 37] by marriage Viscountess Feilding.
On 27th March 1622 Edward Wray and Elizabeth Norreys 3rd Baroness Norreys Rycote [aged 19] were married at Church of St Mary Aldermary. Christopher Villiers [aged 29], brother of George, Duke of Buckingham [aged 29], had, with Royal encouragement, sought her hand. To avoid being forced into a marriage with him she eloped with Edward Wray. She the daughter of Francis Norreys 1st Earl Berkshire and Bridget Vere Baroness Norreys Rycote [aged 37].
On 14th September 1622 [his brother-in-law] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 35] was created 1st Earl Denbigh. [his sister] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 39] by marriage Countess Denbigh.
Before 18th April 1623 Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey [aged 30] and Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey [aged 15] were married. He the son of George Villiers of Brokesby and Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham [aged 53].
On 18th April 1623 Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey [aged 30] was created 1st Earl Anglesey, 1st Baron Villiers of Daventry. [his wife] Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey [aged 15] by marriage Countess Anglesey.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 18th May 1623 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 30] was created 1st Duke of Buckingham by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 56] for being his favourite; what favourite means is open to debate. [his sister-in-law] Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 21] by marriage Duchess of Buckingham.
On 23rd August 1628 [his brother] George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 35] was murdered at Greyhound Pub, Portsmouth by a disgruntled soldier John Felton [aged 33]. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [his nephew] George succeeded 2nd Duke of Buckingham, 2nd Marquess of Buckingham, 2nd Earl Buckingham.
Felton was considered a hero by many who blamed Buckingham for the failures of the 1625 Cádiz Expedition and 1627 Siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Felton was subsequently hanged.
On 29th November 1628 John Felton [aged 33] was hanged at Tyburn [Map] for having murdered the [his brother] Duke of Buckingham.
On 3rd April 1630 Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey [aged 37] died at Windsor, Berkshire [Map]. He was buried at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. His son Charles succeeded 2nd Earl Anglesey, 2nd Baron Villiers of Daventry.
On 5th August 1641 Benjamin Weston and [his former wife] Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey [aged 33] were married.
On 12th April 1662 [his former wife] Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey [aged 54] died.
[his son] Charles Villiers 2nd Earl Anglesey was born to Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey and Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey. He married after 20th September 1643 Mary Bayning Countess Anglesey, daughter of Paul Bayning 1st Viscount Bayning and Anne Glemham Viscountess Bayning.
[his daughter] Anne Villiers Countess Sussex was born to Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey and Elizabeth Sheldon Countess Anglesey. She married after November 1640 Thomas Savile 1st Earl of Sussex, son of John Savile 1st Baron Savile and Elizabeth Carey Baroness Savile, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Villiers 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Villiers
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Villiers
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Villiers
GrandFather: William Villiers of Brooksby Leicestershire
Father: George Villiers of Brokesby
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Clarke
GrandMother: Collette Clarke
Christopher Villiers 1st Earl Anglesey 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Beaumont 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Maureward
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Beaumont 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Darcy 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Darcy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joane Greystoke Baroness Darcy Knayth 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: George Pauncefote
GrandFather: Anthony Beaumont 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Bassett 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bassett 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bassett 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Bassett 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Mother: Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Armstrong
GrandMother: Anne Armstrong