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.
Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde is in Photographers.
On 5th January 1893 Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde was born.
1914. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 20). Photograph of Alexandra Henrietta Louisa Haig (age 6). © National Portrait Gallery.
Alexandra Henrietta Louisa Haig: On 9th March 1907 she was born to Field Marshal Douglas Haig 1st Earl Haig and Dorothy Maud Vivian. In 1997 she died.
1914. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 20). Photograph of Helen Venetia Duncombe Viscountess D'Abernon (age 48). © National Portrait Gallery.
Around 1925. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 31). Photograph of Mary Borden Lady Spears (age 38). © National Portrait Gallery.
1930. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 36). Photograph of Raine McCorquodale Countess Dartmouth and Spencer. © National Portrait Gallery.
1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 38). Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 19). © National Portrait Gallery.
1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 38). Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 19). © National Portrait Gallery.
1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 38). Photograph of Helen Moira Eaton Lady Dashwood (age 32). © National Portrait Gallery.
Helen Moira Eaton Lady Dashwood: On 22nd September 1899 she was born. On 20th December 1922 John Lindsay Dashwood 10th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Dashwood of West Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. On 28th June 1989 she died.
1933. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 39). Photograph of Adele Astaire (age 36), Lady Charles Cavendish (age 27). © National Portrait Gallery.
Adele Astaire: On 10th September 1896 she was born. In 1932 Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish and she were married at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire [Map]. He the son of Victor Christian William Cavendish 9th Duke Devonshire and Evelyn Emily Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice Duchess Devonshire. On 25th January 1981 she died.
1933. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 39). Photograph of Diana Mitford (age 22). © National Portrait Gallery.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1933. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 39). Photograph of Adele Astaire (age 36), Lady Charles Cavendish (age 27). © National Portrait Gallery.
1934. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 40). Photograph on the cover of Tatler of Lady Milbanke (age 35) i.e. Sheila Chisholm.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Alice Christabel Montagu-Douglas-Scott Duchess Gloucester (age 33). © National Portrait Gallery.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Ismay Lucretia Mary Preston (age 52). © National Portrait Gallery.
Ismay Lucretia Mary Preston: On 29th October 1882 she was born to Jenico Preston 14th Viscount Gormanston. On 16th June 1906 Ninian Edward Crichton-Stuart and she were married. He the son of John Crichton-Stuart 3rd Marquis of the Isle of Bute and Gwendolen Mary Anne Fitzalan Howard Marchioness Bute. On 16th February 1975 she died.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Helen Diana Bridgeman (age 27). © National Portrait Gallery.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Helen Diana Bridgeman (age 27). © National Portrait Gallery.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Mary Sibell Ashley-Cooper Baroness Alington (age 32). © National Portrait Gallery.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Margaret Sheila MacKellar Chisholm (age 36) as "Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons". © The Yevonde Portrait Archive.
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.
1935. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 41). Photograph of Marguerite Rose Bligh aka Tangye (age 21)..
1937. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 43). Photograph of Helen Moira Eaton Lady Dashwood (age 37). © National Portrait Gallery.
1943. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 49). Photograph of Lavinia Mary Strutt Duchess Norfolk (age 26)..
Lavinia Mary Strutt Duchess Norfolk: In 22nd March 1916 she was born to Algernon Strutt 3rd Baron Belper and Eva Isabel Countess Rosebery. On 27th January 1937 Bernard Fitzalan 16th Duke of Norfolk and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Norfolk. She the daughter of Algernon Strutt 3rd Baron Belper and Eva Isabel Countess Rosebery. He the son of Henry Fitzalan Howard 15th Duke of Norfolk and Gwendolen Constable-Maxwell Duchess Norfolk. In 10th December 1995 Lavinia Mary Strutt Duchess Norfolk died.
On 22nd December 1975 Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 82) died.