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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Smith
On 24th June 1825 William Henry Smith was born.
In 1858 William Henry Smith (age 32) and Emily Danvers 1st Viscountess Hambleden were married.
In 1859 [his daughter] Emily Anna Smith Lady Acland was born to William Henry Smith (age 33) and [his wife] Emily Danvers 1st Viscountess Hambleden. She married 7th July 1887 Admiral William Alison Dyke Acland 2nd Baronet, son of Henry Wentworth Acland 1st Baronet and Sarah Cotton, and had issue.
In 1868 William Henry Smith (age 42) was elected MP Westminster.
On 12th August 1868 [his son] Frederick Smith 2nd Viscount Hambleden was born to William Henry Smith (age 43) and [his wife] Emily Danvers 1st Viscountess Hambleden. He married 26th July 1894 Esther Georgiana Caroline Gore Viscountess Hambleden, daughter of Arthur Saunders Gore 5th Earl Arran and Edith Jocelyn, and had issue.
In 1874 William Henry Smith (age 48) was appointed Financial Secretary to the Treasury when Disraeli returned as Prime Minister.
In 1877 William Henry Smith (age 51) was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty. He had never been to sea.
In February 1878 William Henry Smith (age 52) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
In 1887 [his son-in-law] John Ryder 5th Earl of Harrowby (age 22) and [his daughter] Mabel Danvers Smith Countess Harrowby were married. She by marriage Countess of Harrowby. He the son of Henry Ryder 4th Earl of Harrowby (age 50).
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 7th July 1887 [his son-in-law] Admiral William Alison Dyke Acland 2nd Baronet (age 39) and [his daughter] Emily Anna Smith Lady Acland (age 28) were married.
On 6th October 1891 William Henry Smith (age 66) died at Walmer Castle [Map].
In August 1913 [his former wife] Emily Danvers 1st Viscountess Hambleden died. Her son [his son] Frederick (age 44) succeeded 2nd Viscount Hambleden of Hambleden in Buckinghamshire. [his daughter-in-law] Esther Georgiana Caroline Gore Viscountess Hambleden (age 43) by marriage Viscountess Hambleden of Hambleden in Buckinghamshire.
[his daughter] Mabel Danvers Smith Countess Harrowby was born to William Henry Smith and Emily Danvers 1st Viscountess Hambleden. She married 1887 John Ryder 5th Earl of Harrowby, son of Henry Ryder 4th Earl of Harrowby.