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.
Paternal Family Tree: Craven
Maternal Family Tree: Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam 1863
On 5th September 1835 [her father] William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 26) and [her mother] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Craven in Yorkshire. She the daughter of [her grandfather] James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam (age 59) and [her grandmother] Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam. He the son of [her grandfather] William Craven 1st Earl Craven and [her grandmother] Louisa Brunton Countess Craven (age 50).
On 13th June 1836 Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton was born to [her father] William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 26) and [her mother] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 20).
On 11th August 1858 Arthur Egerton 3rd Earl Wilton (age 25) and Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton (age 22) were married. There was no issue from the marriage. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 48) and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 42). He the son of Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton (age 58) and Mary Smith-Stanley Countess Wilton (age 57).
On 9th August 1862 [her brother-in-law] Seymour Egerton 4th Earl Wilton (age 23) and Laura Caroline Russell Countess Wilton (age 20) were married. He the son of [her father-in-law] Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton (age 62) and [her mother-in-law] Mary Smith-Stanley Countess Wilton.
On 16th January 1865 [her brother-in-law] George Cadogan 5th Earl Cadogan (age 24) and [her sister] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan (age 20) were married. She the daughter of [her father] William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 55) and [her mother] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 48). He the son of Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 52) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 56).
The Times. 25th January 1865. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE. The marriage of the [her brother-in-law] Earl of Coventry (age 26) and [her sister] Lady Blanche Craven (age 22), third daughter of [her father] Earl Craven (age 55), was solemnized yesterday morning at St. George's Church, Hanover-square. The bridegroom and the friends of both families assembled at the church at 11 o'clock, and shortly afterwards were joined by the bride, accompanied by her [her mother] mother, the Countess Craven (age 48). The bride was received by her father at the church door, and, attended by eight bridesmaids, proceeded at once to the communion table, in front ot which a numerous company had assembled, including the Earl (age 65) and [her aunt] Countess of Clarendon (age 54) and Lady Emily Villiers (age 22), the Countess of Verulam (age 40) and Lady Harriet Grimston (age 20), Viscount (age 49) and [her aunt] Viscountess Folkestone (age 43) and Hon. Miss Bouverie, the Countess of Sefton (age 27) and Lady Cecilia Molyneux, [her brother-in-law] Viscount Chelsea (age 24), and Lady Caroline Townley (age 27) and Miss Townley, [her brother] Viscount Uffington (age 23), Sir Henry (age 58) and Lady Sophia Des Voeux, Hon. Mr. and Mrs Coventry, Hon. Gerald (age 35) and Lady Maria Ponsonby (age 28), Mr. Oswald andl Miss Oswald, Dr. Quin, Mr. Cecil Boothby (age 51), Mr. James Oswald, Miss Talbot, [her husband] Viscount (age 32) and Viscountess Grey de Wilton (age 28), [her sister] Lady Evelyn Bruce (age 25), Hon. Mrs. Grimston and Miss Grimston, &c.
[her uncle] The Hon. and Rev. Edward Grimston (age 52), uncle of the bride, performed the religious rite. After the registration of the marriage the wedding party left the church, and procceded to the Earl and Countess Craven's mansion in Charles-street, Mayfair. At 2 o'clock the newly-wedded couple took their departure for Croome Court, the Earl of Coventry's seat, near Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire [Map], there to pass the honeymoon. At Croome Pirton and Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, the marriage was celebrated yesterday by the tenantry and neighbours of the Earl of Coventry. The tenantry of the Crome Pirton and Severn Stoke estates, to ths number of about 100, dined together in two parties yesterday at Severn Stoke and High-green. At Pirton and Severn Stoke garlands of evergreens and flags were hung out over the roads, and at night a bonfire was lighted at High-green. The rejoicings have extended over all his Lordship's large estates in the southern portion of Worcestershire. The inhabitants of Worcester [Map] celebrated the marriage by hoisting flags from tile windows and streamers across the streets. The bells from the various churches rang merry peals all day.
On 24th January 1865 George Coventry 9th Earl Coventry and Blanche Craven Countess Coventry were married. She by marriage Countess Coventry. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
On 25th August 1866 [her father] William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 57) died. His son [her brother] George (age 25) succeeded 3rd Earl Craven in Yorkshire, 3rd Viscount Uffington, 9th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 2nd January 1867 [her brother] George Grimston Craven 3rd Earl Craven (age 25) and [her sister-in-law] Evelyn Laura Barrington Countess Craven (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Craven in Yorkshire. He the son of [her father] William Craven 2nd Earl Craven and [her mother] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 50). They were fifth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 8th June 1873 Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 61) died at Woodrising, Norfolk. His son [her brother-in-law] George (age 33) succeeded 5th Earl Cadogan, 5th Viscount Chelsea, 7th Baron Cadogan. [her sister] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan (age 28) by marriage Countess Cadogan.
In 1875 [her husband] Arthur Egerton 3rd Earl Wilton (age 42) was created 1st Baron Grey de Radclyffe in Lancashire.
On 7th March 1882 [her father-in-law] Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton (age 82) died. His son [her husband] Arthur (age 49) succeeded 3rd Earl Wilton, 3rd Viscount Grey de Wilton. Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton (age 45) by marriage Countess Wilton.
On 7th December 1883 [her brother] George Grimston Craven 3rd Earl Craven (age 42) died. His son [her nephew] William (age 14) succeeded 4th Earl Craven in Yorkshire, 4th Viscount Uffington, 10th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
On 18th January 1885 [her husband] Arthur Egerton 3rd Earl Wilton (age 52) died. His brother [her brother-in-law] Seymour (age 45) succeeded 4th Earl Wilton, 4th Viscount Grey de Wilton. Laura Caroline Russell Countess Wilton (age 43) by marriage Countess Wilton. Baron Grey de Radclyffe in Lancashire extinct.
On 14th September 1886 Arthur Vickris Pryor (age 40) and Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton (age 50) were married. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 70).
On 21st May 1901 [her mother] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 85) died.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 9th February 1907 [her sister] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan (age 62) died.
On 8th March 1919 Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton (age 82) died.
In 1927 [her former husband] Arthur Vickris Pryor (age 81) died.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. Baroness Grey de Wilton was one of the most graceful riders I have ever seen, and I do not believe her equal now exists in the hunting-field! She, and her favourite horse "Shannon", took all the fences in a way that compelled every one's admiration, and it was a positive delight to watch her. She was a lovely woman, and her second husband, Mr. Arthur Prior was sometimes jokingly called "The Prior of Orders Grey".
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 27 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 30 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 7 Grand Daughter of Henry IV King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Craven
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Craven 5th Baron Craven
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Craven of Stanton Lacy
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Craven 6th Baron Craven
GrandFather: William Craven 1st Earl Craven
3 x Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Berkeley 2nd Earl Berkeley
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Berkeley 3rd Earl Berkeley
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Noel Countess Berkeley
Great x 2 Grandfather: Augustus Berkeley 4th Earl Berkeley
Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond
Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Louisa Lennox Countess Berkeley
Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Drax
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drax Countess Berkeley and Nugent
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Ernle 3rd Baronet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ernle
Father: William Craven 2nd Earl Craven
4 x Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
GrandMother: Louisa Brunton Countess Craven
Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Luckyn 3rd Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Grimston 1st Viscount Grimston
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Grimston 2nd Viscount Grimston
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Grimston 3rd Viscount Grimston
GrandFather: James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Walter
Great x 1 Grandmother: Harriet Walter Viscountess Grimston
Mother: Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Jenkinson 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Jenkinson 2nd Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Colonel Charles Jenkinson
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Jenkinson 1st Earl Liverpool
GrandMother: Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam