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: Phelips
After 27th June 1602 [his father] Robert Phelips (age 16) and [his mother] Brigetta Gorges (age 18) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Thomas Gorges of Longford Castle (age 66) and [his grandmother] Helena Snakenbourg Marchioness Northampton (age 53).
Around 1613 Edward Phelips was born to [his father] Robert Phelips (age 27) and [his mother] Brigetta Gorges (age 29).
On 30th October 1629 Edward Phelips (age 16) was educated at Wadham College, Oxford University.
On 21st February 1632 Edward Phelips (age 19) and Anne Pye were married.
Around 1634 [his mother] Brigetta Gorges (age 50) died.
In 1638 [his father] Robert Phelips (age 52) died.
In 1638 [his son] Edward Phelips was born to Edward Phelips (age 25) and [his wife] Anne Pye. He married before 10th May 1687 Edith Blake and had issue.
In 1640 Edward Phelips (age 27) was elected MP Ilchester during the Long Parliament.
In 1640 Edward Phelips (age 27) was elected MP Ilchester during the Short Parliament.
Before 6th August 1658 Jacob Huysmans (age 25). Portrait of Edward Phelips (age 45).
On 8th May 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) summoned his second Parliament.
John Bennet 1st Baron Ossulston (age 44) was elected MP Wallingford.
James Thynne (age 56) was elected MP Wiltshire.
Adam Browne 2nd Baronet (age 35) was elected MP Surrey.
Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 30) was elected MP Northumberland.
William Compton (age 36) was elected MP Cambridge.
Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry (age 32) was elected MP Camelford.
Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 61) was elected MP Bath and Heytesbury.
Edward Hungerford (age 28) was elected MP Chippenham.
Robert Pierrepont (age 24) was elected MP Nottingham.
John Melbury Sampford Strangeways (age 75) was elected MP Weymouth.
Giles Strangeways (age 45) was elected MP Dorset.
John Strangeways (age 24) was elected MP Bridport.
William Wyndham 1st Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Taunton.
James Herbert (age 38) was elected MP Queenborough.
William Alington 1st and 3rd Baron Alington (age 21) was elected MP Cambridge.
William Bowes of Streatlam (age 4) was elected MP Durham.
Robert Brooke (age 24) was elected MP Aldeburgh.
Josiah Child (age 30) was elected MP Dartmouth.
Gervase Clifton 1st Baronet (age 73) was elected MP Nottinghamshire.
Thomas Crew 2nd Baron Crew (age 37) was elected MP Brackley.
Richard Jennings (age 42) was elected MP St Albans.
Robert Kemp 2nd Baronet (age 33) was elected MP Norfolk.
Edward Phelips (age 48) was elected MP Somerset.
Robert Robartes (age 27) was elected MP Bossiney.
Hender Robartes (age 25) was elected MP Bodmin.
Clement Fisher 2nd Baronet (age 48) was elected MP Coventry.
William Portman 6th Baronet (age 17) was elected MP Taunton.
John Robinson 1st Baronet (age 46) was elected MP Rye.
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On 5th February 1680 Edward Phelips (age 67) died. He was buried at Church of St Catherine, Montacute [Map].
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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[his son] John Phelips was born to Edward Phelips and Anne Pye.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 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 England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Phelips
GrandFather: Edward Phelips
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Smyth
Great x 2 Grandfather: Matthew Smyth
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Smyth
Father: Robert Phelips
Edward Phelips 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald Gorges 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Gorges
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Gorges
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Gorges 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Howard 
4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Mowbray Baroness Grey Ruthyn 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Howard 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
GrandFather: Thomas Gorges of Longford Castle 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Poyntz 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Poyntz
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Cox
Great x 2 Grandfather: Anthony Poyntz 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Woodville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gwenllian Stradling
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Poyntz 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Huddersfield
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Huddersfield 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Courtenay 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Courtenay 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hungerford 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Mother: Brigetta Gorges 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Helena Snakenbourg Marchioness Northampton