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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In 1517 John Fleetwood was born.
In 1535 John Fleetwood (age 18) was appointed Dean of the Chancery which office he held until 1570.
Around 1538 John Fleetwood (age 21) was appointed Usher of Change of Money in the Tower.
Around 1543 John Fleetwood (age 26) purchased Calwich Abbey, Staffordshire [Map] following its dissolution. The resulting transformation was described by the contemporary historian Erdeswick: "the chancel had been made into a parlour, the church into a hall and the steeple into a kitchen".
In 1548 and 1568 John Fleetwood (age 31) was appointed High Sheriff of Staffordshire.
In 1560 John Fleetwood (age 43) puchased Wootton Lodge, Staffordshire [Map] from William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley (age 39).
Around 1560 [his son] Thomas Fleetwood was born to John Fleetwood (age 43).
In 1572 John Fleetwood (age 55) was elected MP Staffordshire.
In 1577 and 1586 John Fleetwood (age 60) was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire.
Between 6th October 1590, when he made his will, and 13th October 1590, when he was buried, John Fleetwood (age 73) died. He had intended to be buried at St Peter's Church, Ellastone where he had a tomb prepared but died in Lancashire and was buried there. The tomb is believed to contain the remains of his son [his son] Thomas Fleetwood (age 30). His son Thomas Fleetwood inherited Wootton Lodge, Staffordshire [Map].
Thomas Fleetwood: Around 1560 he was born to John Fleetwood. In 1603 he died. His son Richard Fleetwood 1st Baronet inherited Wootton Lodge, Staffordshire [Map].