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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Maternal Family Tree: Ellen Brereton 1477-1541
In 1553 Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland was born to [her father] Francis Charlton of Apsley Castle in Shropshire [aged 41] and [her mother] Cecily Fitton [aged 37].
Before 1562 [her father] Francis Charlton of Apsley Castle in Shropshire [aged 49] and [her mother] Cecily Fitton [aged 45] were married.
In 1562 [her father] Francis Charlton of Apsley Castle in Shropshire [aged 50] died.
Before 1572 John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 20] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 18] were married. He the son of Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland and Margaret Neville Countess Rutland.
On 21st February 1572 [her daughter] Bridget Manners was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 21] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 19]. She married August 1594 Robert Tyrwhitt and had issue.
On 6th June 1573 [her brother-in-law] Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [aged 23] and Isabel Holcroft Countess Rutland [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess of Rutland, Baroness Ros Helmsley. He the son of Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland and Margaret Neville Countess Rutland.
On 6th October 1576 [her son] Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 25] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 23] probably at Kirk Deighton Harrogate, North Yorkshire. He married 5th March 1599 Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland, daughter of Philip Sidney and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex.
In 1578 [her son] Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 27] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 25]. He married (1) 6th May 1602 Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill and had issue (2) after 26th October 1608 Cecily Tufton Countess Rutland, daughter of John Tufton 1st Baronet, and had issue.
In 1580 [her son] George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 29] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 27]. He married 3rd March 1605 his half fourth cousin twice removed Frances Carey Countess Rutland, daughter of Edward Carey and Catherine Knyvet Baroness Geneville Beaudasert.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Around 1582 [her son] Oliver Manners was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 31] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 29].
On 14th April 1587 [her brother-in-law] Edward Manners 3rd Earl of Rutland [aged 37] died at his home Ivy Bridge on the Strand [Map] or at Puddle Wharf aka Dock [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His daughter Elizabeth [aged 12] succeeded 15th Baroness Ros Helmsley. His brother [her husband] John [aged 36] succeeded 4th Earl of Rutland. Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 34] by marriage Countess of Rutland. He would be Earl for ten months only dying on 24 Feb 1588.
Robert Constable [aged 65] was one of the principal mourners at his funeral.
Archaeologia Volume 1 Section 55. On Tuesday, being the first of August [1587], in the morning, about eight of the clock, the chief mourner, being the Countess of Bedford [aged 61], was attended upon by all the lords and ladies, and brought into the prefence chambre within the bifhop's palace, which all over was hanged with black cloath; me was by the queens majefties gentlemen uihers placed fomewhat under a cloth of eftate of purple velvet, where, having given to the great officers their ftaves of office, viz. to the lord lleward, lord chamberlayne, the treafurer, and comptroller, me took her way into the great hall, where the corps flood; and the heralds having marmalled the feveral companies, they made their proceedings as followeth.
Two conductors in black, with black staves.
Poor women mourners to the number of 100. 2 and 2.
Two yeomen harvengers.
The standard of Scotland borne by Sir George Savill, knight.
Gentlemen in clokes to the number of 50, being attendants on the lords and ladies.
Six grooms of the chamber, viz. Mr ... Eaton, Mr .... Bykye, Mr .... Ceavaval, Mr Flynr, Mr .... Charlton, Mr .... Lylle.
Three gentlemen sfewers to the queen's majesty, Mr. Horseman, Mr. Fynes, and Mr. Martin.
Gentlemen in gownes, Mr. Worme, Mr. Holland, Mr. Crewste, Mr. Watson, Mr. Allington, Mr. Barrel, and Mr. Fescue.
Scots in clokes, 17 in number.
A Scottish prieft.
Mr. Fortescue, master of the wardrobe to the queens majestie.
The bishop of Peterborough.
The bishop of Lincoln.
The great banner, borne by Sir Andrew Nowell, knight.
The comptroller, Mr. Melvin.
The treasurer, Sir Edward Montague. The lord Chamberlayne, was Lord Dudley.
The lord steward, was Lord St. John of Basing.
Two ushers.
Atchievements of honor born by heralds. The healme and crest borne by Portcullis, target, borne by York, sword, borne by Rouge Dragon. coat, borne by Somerset.
Clarencieux king of arms, with a gentleman usher, Mr. Conyngsbye.
The corps born by esquires in clokes. Mr. Francis Fortescue. Mr. William Fortescue. Mr. Thomas Stafford. Mr. Nicholas Smith. Mr. Nicholas Hyde. Mr .... Howlands, the bishop's brother. Eight bannerolles, borne by esquires:
King Robert impaling Drummond, By Mr. WilliamFittz Williams.
King James the 1st impaling Beaufort, Mr. Griffin of Dingley.
Guelders, Mr. Robert Wingfield.
King James 3d impaling Denmark, Mr. Bevill.
King James 4th impaling the arms of Henry 7th of England, Mr Lynne.
King James £th impaling Guys, Mr John Wingfield
King of France impaling the arms of Mary queen of Scotland, Mr SPencer
Lord Darnley impaling the arms! of Mary queen of Scotland, Mr. John Fortefcue Aywood.
The canopy, being of black velvet fringed with gold, borne by four knights, viz. Sir Thomas Manners, Sir George Hastings, Sir James Harrington, Sir Richard Knightly.
Assistants to the body, Four barons which bore up the corners of the pall of velvet. The Lord Mordant. The Lord Willoughby of Parham. The Lord Compton. Sir Thomas Cecill.
Mr. Garter, with the gentleman umer, Mr. Brakenbnry.
The Countesse of Bedford, supported by the Earls of [her husband] Rutland [aged 36], and Lincolne [aged 46], her train borne up by the Lady St. John of Basting, and assisted by Mr. John Manners, vice chamberlain.
The Countesse of Rutland [aged 34], Countesse of Lincolne. The Lady Talbot, Lady Mary Savell. The Lady Mordant, the Lady St. John of Bletshoe. The Lady Manners, the Lady Cecill. The Lady Montague, the Lady Nowell. Mrs. AHngton, Mrs. Curle.
Two ushers.
Eight Scottish gentlewomen.
The gentlewomen of Countess's and Baroness's, according to their degrees, all in Black.
Servants in black coates. The Countess of Bedford, 10. Countesse of Rutland, 8. Countesse of Lincoln, 8. Lady St. John of Basing, 5. All lords and ladyes, 5. All knights and their wives 4, All equires, 1.
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Before 24th February 1588 [her daughter] Anne Manners was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 35]. She married in or before 1609 her fourth cousin George Wharton, son of Philip Wharton 3rd Baron Wharton and Frances Clifford Baroness Wharton.
Before 24th February 1588 [her daughter] Elizabeth Manners was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 35].
Before 24th February 1588 [her daughter] Mary Manners was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 35].
Before 24th February 1588 [her son] Edward Manners was born to [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 35].
On 24th February 1588 [her husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland [aged 37] died. His son Roger [aged 11] succeeded 5th Earl of Rutland.
On 22nd October 1588 [her daughter] Frances Manners Baroness Willoughby of Parham was born to [her former husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 35]. She was born postumously; her father had died nine months previously on 24th February 1588. She married on or after 4th February 1603 her fifth cousin once removed William Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby of Parham and had issue.
In August 1594 [her son-in-law] Robert Tyrwhitt [aged 21] and Bridget Manners [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 41].
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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After 1595. Elizabethan Period monument to [her former husband] John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 42] in the Chancel of St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map] sculpted by Gerard Johnson The Elder [aged 45].
Armorial above the monument showing top row: 
Manners Augmented Arms, 
Ros Arms, 
Roet Arms, Trusbutt [or Belvoir],
2nd Row: 
Beauchamp Arms, 
Beaumont Arms, 
Berkeley Arms, 
Lisle Arms
3rd Row: Unknown, 
Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent 1350 1397 Arms, 
Tiptoft Arms, 
Powys Arms aka Charlton
4th Row: 
Badlesmere Arms, 
Vaux Arms, Todeni [Albini ancient] Arms, 
Daubeney Arms.
Around 21st March 1595 Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland [aged 42] died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Charlton
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Charlton 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Mainwaring 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Venables
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Mainwaring 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: Robert Charlton 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Father: Francis Charlton of Apsley Castle in Shropshire 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: John Fitton
Mother: Cecily Fitton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Brereton 10th Lord Brereton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Andrew Brereton
GrandMother: Ellen Brereton