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: Fitton
In or before 1572 [her father] Edward Fitton [aged 23] and [her mother] Alice Holcroft [aged 31] were married.
On or before 24th June 1578 Mary Fitton was born to Edward Fitton [aged 30] and Alice Holcroft [aged 38]. She was baptised on 24th June 1578 at Church of St James, Gawsworth [Map].
1592. Unknown Painter. Portrait of sisters Anne Fitton aged eighteen and Mary Fitton [aged 13] aged fifteen.
Anne Fitton: On or before 6th October 1574 she was born to Edward Fitton and Alice Holcroft. On 30th April 1587 Anne Fitton died at Stepney [Map]. On 30th April 1587 John Newdigate and she were married at Stepney [Map].
Around 1595 Mary Fitton [aged 16] was appointed Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 61]. Her father Edward Fitton [aged 47] recommended her to the care of the married William Knollys 1st Earl Banbury [aged 51] who developed a crush on her to the amusement of the court. In Jan 1599 she left court.
Around 1595. Unknown Painter. Portrait of Mary Fitton [aged 16].
Letters from Sir Robert Cecil to Sir George Carew Section 8 XVII. 5th February 1600. Court. To George Carew 1st Earl Totnes [aged 44].
We have no news but that there is a misfortune befallen Mistris Fitton [aged 21] for she is proved with child, and the E. of Pembroke [aged 19] being examyned confesseth a ffact, but utterly renounceth all marriage. I fear they will both dwell in the Tower [Map] awhyle, for the Queen [aged 66] have vowed to send them thether.
When you thing fit you may send over 1076 [Desmond] but retain his patent with yourself. You shall not need to send to know her Ma'ties further pleasure. In many wayes lett not Cashell come over. The more excpectation which 1076 leaveth behynd him o returne the better construction wilbe made of his departure.
Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 36].
On 16th June 1600 Henry Somerset 1st Marquess Worcester [aged 23] and Anne Russell Countess Worcester [aged 22] were married. He the son of Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester [aged 50] and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester [aged 54]. They were fifth cousins.
Mary Fitton [aged 21] led a Masque in celebration at the Blackfriars residence of Henry Brooke 11th Baron Cobham [aged 35] with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 66] and William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke [aged 20] attending. She, Mary soon afterwards became the mistress of William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke and soon became pregnant.
In February 1601 William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke [aged 20] was sent to Fleet Prison [Map] for refusing to marry Mary Fitton [aged 22] when she became pregnant.
In March 1601 Mary Fitton [aged 22] gave birth to a boy who died soon after birth.
After March 1601 Mary Fitton [aged 22] began and affair with Admiral Richard Leveson [aged 31] with whom she had two daughters.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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After 1605 Mary Fitton [aged 26] commenced an affair with [her future husband] Captain William Polwhele one of Admiral Richard Leveson's [aged 35] officers.
In 4th March 1606 [her father] Edward Fitton [aged 58] died. On 5th February 1627 [her mother] Alice Holcroft [aged 66] died. Monument at Church of St James, Gawsworth [Map]. The monument originally stood against the east wall, away from the north wall, with the kneeling figures of the children at each corner. Sir Edward's effigy is lost and there is no record when it was last in situ at Gawsworth. Note the remodelled head of the second son, Richard.
Alice Holcroft: In 1540 she was born to John Holcroft. In or before 1572 Edward Fitton and she were married.
Around 1607 Captain William Polwhele and Mary Fitton [aged 28] were married.
In 1610 [her husband] Captain William Polwhele died.
After 1610 John Lougher and Mary Fitton [aged 31] were married.
On 8th January 1636 [her husband] John Lougher died.
In 1647 Mary Fitton [aged 68] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of King William I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King Philip IV of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fitton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Fitton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brereton 10th Lord Brereton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Andrew Brereton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Ellen Brereton
GrandFather: Edward Fitton 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bertram Harbottle
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Harbottle 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Lumley 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guiscard Harbottle 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Percy 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Acton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Harbottle 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Griffith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Markham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Markham
Father: Edward Fitton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Warburton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter Warburton of Arley
GrandMother: Anne Warburton 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Winnington 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Winnington 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Winnington 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Winnington 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grosvenor 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Randall Grosvenor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Anne Grosvenor
Mary Fitton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Holcroft
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Holcroft
GrandFather: John Holcroft
Mother: Alice Holcroft