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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1870 Edward Reginald Frampton was born.
1912. Edward Reginald Frampton (age 42). "Isabella and the Pot of Basil".
Around 1913. Edward Reginald Frampton (age 43). "A Madonna of Brittany".
Around 1915. Edward Reginald Frampton (age 45). "La Madonna di Promessa" i.e. "Our Lady of Promise". According to Vallance the tower in Our Lady of Promise is 'a fairly literal rendering of the south-west tower of Rouen Cathedral, universally known as the 'Tour de Beurre' because it was erected either with 'the proceeds of market dues on the sale of butter' or with 'the money paid for indulgences to eat butter during Lent'. He might also have observed that the compositions of both pictures are indebted to Jan van Eyck's well-known drawing of St Barbara in the Museum at Antwerp. In this the Saint is seen seated in front of a Gothic tower that is being built to serve as the prison in which she is to be incarcerated by her father to protect her from the attention of importunate suitors.
1920 to 1922. Edward Reginald Frampton (age 50). "A Pearl".
Around 1920. Edward Reginald Frampton (age 50). "Brittany: 1914".
1920. Edward Reginald Frampton (age 50). "Elaine, the Lady of Shallott".
On 4th November 1923 Edward Reginald Frampton (age 53) died.