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: Dryden
In 1551 [his father] John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 26) and [his step-mother] Elizabeth Cope (age 22) were married.
On 20th December 1553 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet was born to [his father] John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 28).
On 21st January 1558 John Cope (age 54) died. [his father] John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 33) and [his step-mother] Elizabeth Cope (age 29) inherited Canons Ashby House.
In 1571 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 17) was admitted to Magdalen College, Oxford University.
In or before 1580 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 26) and Frances Wilkes were married. They had 3 sons and 4 daughters.
Around 1580 [his son] John Dryden 2nd Baronet was born to Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 26) and [his wife] Frances Wilkes. He married (1) 8th October 1605 Priscilla Quarles (2) in or before 1631 Anne Parvish (3) 3rd July 1632 Honora Beville and had issue.
In 1583 [his daughter] Susannah Dryden was born to Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 29). She married 1609 John Pickering and had issue.
On 30th September 1584 [his father] John Dryden of Canons Ashby (age 59) died.
In 1586 [his son] Erasmus Dryden was born to Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 32) and [his wife] Frances Wilkes. He married before 9th August 1631 Mary Pickering and had issue.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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1590 [his son] William Dryden was born to Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 36) and [his wife] Frances Wilkes.
In 1599 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 45) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.
On 8th October 1605 [his son] John Dryden 2nd Baronet (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Priscilla Quarles (age 17) were married.
Before 1608 [his son-in-law] Edward Hartopp 1st Baronet (age 35) and [his daughter] Mary Dryden Lady Hartopp were married.
In 1609 [his son-in-law] John Pickering (age 24) and [his daughter] Susannah Dryden (age 26) were married.
In 1618 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 64) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.
On 16th November 1619 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 65) was created 1st Baronet Dryden of Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire.
In or before 1631 [his son] John Dryden 2nd Baronet (age 50) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Parvish (age 42) were married.
Before 9th August 1631 [his son] Erasmus Dryden (age 45) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Pickering (age 39) were married.
On 22nd May 1632 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 78) died. His son John (age 52) succeeded 2nd Baronet Dryden of Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
[his daughter] Mary Dryden Lady Hartopp was born to Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet and Frances Wilkes. She married before 1608 Edward Hartopp 1st Baronet and had issue.
[his daughter] Dorothy Dryden was born to Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet and Frances Wilkes. She married Edward Salwey and had issue.