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: Morden aka Harbord
Around 1696 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet was born to [his father] John Morden and [his mother] Judith Cropley.
On 4th February 1713 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 17) was educated at Caius College, Cambridge University.
In 1726 [his father] John Morden died.
In 1727 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 31) was elected MP Bere Alston.
On 25th April 1732 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 36) and Elizabeth Britiffe Lady Harbord were married.
In 1734 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 38) was elected MP Dunwich.
On 26th January 1734 [his son] Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield was born to William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 38) and [his wife] Elizabeth Britiffe Lady Harbord at Harbord Morden Thorpe, Suffolk. He married 1760 Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield, daughter of Ralph Assheton 3rd Baronet, and had issue.
In 1741 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 45) was elected MP Bere Alston.
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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In 1742 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 46) changed his surname from Morden to Hardbord in line with the conditions of the will of his [his mother] mother's brother [his uncle] Harbord Cropley aka Harbord (age 67) who had changed his name from Cropley to Harbord in 1710. By changing his name to Harbord William's son [his son] Harbord (age 7), who had been named after his great-uncle became Harbord Harbord,
On 26th March 1746 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 50) was created 1st Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk. [his wife] Elizabeth Britiffe Lady Harbord by marriage Lady Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk.
In 1760 [his son] Harbord Morden aka Harbord 1st Baron Suffield (age 25) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield were married.
On 17th February 1770 William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet (age 74) died. His son Harbord (age 36) succeeded 2nd Baronet Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk. [his daughter-in-law] Mary Assheton Baroness Suffield by marriage Lady Harbord of Suffield in Norfolk.
[his father] John Morden and [his mother] Judith Cropley were married.
Father: John Morden
William Morden aka Harbord 1st Baronet
GrandFather: William Cropley
Mother: Judith Cropley