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 1646 John Riley was born to William Riley.
Around 1661 John Riley [aged 15] studied under Gilbert Soest [aged 56] from whom he learned a style of portraiture which rendered his portraits noteworthy.
Before 29th January 1663. John Riley [aged 17]. Portrait of Bishop Robert Sanderson [aged 75].
Before 25th July 1667, the date he was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map], [his father] William Riley died.
Around 1670. John Riley [aged 24]. Portrait of James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch [aged 20].
Around 1680 John Riley [aged 34] was assisted by John Closterman [aged 20] who finished several of Riley's pictures after his death.
Before 16th May 1680. John Riley [aged 34] and John Closterman [aged 20]. Portrait of William Blackett 1st Baronet [aged 59].
In 1681 John Closterman [aged 21] travelled to England where he worked for John Riley [aged 35] being resposible for painting the draperies in Riley's portraits.
In 1682. John Riley [aged 36]. Portrait of Mary Morice Lady Carew [aged 11].
Mary Morice Lady Carew: In or before 1671 she was born to William Morice 1st Baronet and Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice. On 5th July 1681 John Carew 3rd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Carew of Antony in Cornwall. The difference in their ages was 35 years. Around June 1698 Mary Morice Lady Carew died.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Around 1682. John Riley [aged 36]. Portrait of Elias Ashmole [aged 64].
Before 21st July 1683. John Riley [aged 37]. Portrait of William Russell [aged 43].
Before 1685. John Riley [aged 38]. Portrait of Harbottle Grimston 2nd Baronet [aged 81].
Before 1685. John Riley [aged 38]. Portrait of Francis North 1st Baron Guildford [aged 47].
Around 1685. John Riley [aged 39]. Portrait of Alice Sherard Baroness Brownlow [aged 26].
Around 1685. John Riley [aged 39]. Believed to be a portrait of Frances Windebank [aged 39] wife of Edward Hales 3rd Baronet [aged 40].
Frances Windebank: In 1646 she was born to Francis Windebank. On 12th July 1669 Edward Hales 3rd Baronet and she were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map]. In 1693 she died.
Around 1685 John Closterman [aged 25] and John Riley [aged 39]. Portrait of William Brownlow 4th Baronet [aged 19].
Around 1685 John Closterman [aged 25] and John Riley [aged 39]. Portrait of Dorothy Mason Baroness Brownlow [aged 18].
Around 1685 John Closterman [aged 25] and John Riley [aged 39]. Portrait of John Brownlow 3rd Baronet [aged 25].
Around 1685. John Riley [aged 39]. Portrait of Charles Fanshawe 4th Viscount Fanshawe [aged 42].
Charles Fanshawe 4th Viscount Fanshawe: In 1643 he was born to Thomas Fanshawe 1st Viscount Fanshawe and Elizabeth Cockayne Viscountess Fanshawe. On 18th October 1687 Evelyn Fanshawe 3rd Viscount Fanshawe died in . He was buried at Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]. His uncle Charles succeeded 4th Viscount Fanshawe. In 1710 Charles Fanshawe 4th Viscount Fanshawe died. His brother Simon succeeded 5th Viscount Fanshawe.
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.
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Before 16th April 1685. John Riley [aged 39]. Portrait of Thomas Otway [deceased].
In 1687. John Riley [aged 41]. Portrait of Elias Ashmole [aged 69].
Around 1687. John Riley [aged 41]. Portrait of Edmund Waller [aged 80].
Around 1687. John Riley [aged 41]. Portrait of Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton [aged 45].
In 1689. John Riley [aged 43]. Portrait of Robert Boyle [aged 62].
In 1689 John Riley [aged 43] was appointed Principal In Ordinary jointly with Godfrey Kneller [aged 42].
Before 1690. John Riley [aged 43]. Portrait of Mary Lake [aged 21]. Frequently described as 'Mary Lake Duchess of Chandos' Mary died two years before her husband James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 16] was created Duke on 19th October 1714.
Mary Lake: On 18th July 1668 she was born to Thomas Lake and Rebecca Langham. On 2nd February 1695 James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos and she were married. On 15th September 1712 Mary Lake died. She was buried at Chandos Mausoleum Church of St Lawrence Whitchurch Lane Little Stanmore.
Around 1690. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Barbara Belasyse.
Barbara Belasyse: she was born to Henry Belasyse and Grace Barton. Before 23rd January 1671 Walter Strickland and she were married. On 12th September 1708 Barbara Belasyse died.
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Orlando Bridgeman 1st Baronet.
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of John Carew 3rd Baronet [aged 55].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell [aged 52].
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Catherine Vernon [aged 27].
Catherine Vernon: Around 1663 she was born to Thomas Vernon and Anne Weston. In or after 1682 George Vernon and she were married. The difference in their ages was 28 years. They were fourth cousin once removed. On 21st October 1710 Catherine Vernon died.
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Josiah Child [aged 59].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Alice Sherard Baroness Brownlow [aged 31].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of John Dryden [aged 59].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Henry St John 1st Viscount St John [aged 38].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of John Sherard 1st Baronet [aged 28].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Elizabeth Sherard [aged 11].
Elizabeth Sherard: In 1679 she was born to Bennet Sherard 2nd Baron Sherard. Before 1688 Edward Ingram 2nd Viscount Irvine and she were married. On 27th May 1696 John Noel and she were married. In 1747 Elizabeth Sherard died.
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Thomas Vernon [aged 59].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Anne Morice Lady Pole [aged 37].
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Anne Weston [aged 50].
Anne Weston: In 1640 she was born to Henry Weston MP. On 13th December 1660 Thomas Vernon and she were married. The had six sons and nine daughters. On 24th February 1702 she died.
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of Bishop Nathaniel Crew 3rd Baron Crew [aged 57].
Before 1691. John Riley [aged 44]. Portrait of John Crewe of Utkinton [aged 49].
In March 1691 John Riley [aged 45] died of gout. He was buried in St Botolph's without Bishopgate.
After March 1691 John Closterman [aged 31] completed a number of unfinished works of John Riley [deceased] bringing him to the attention of Charles Seymour 6th Duke of Somerset [aged 28] who then commissioned him to complete a number of paintings.
