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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Bridgwater, Somerset is in Somerset.
See: Burrow Bridge, Somerset [Map], Dunball, Somerset [Map], Somerset Bridge [Map], Stathe, Somerset [Map], Westonzoyland Bridgwater, Somerset.
On 17th August 1469 Humphrey Stafford 1st Earl Devon [aged 30], having escaped after the Battle of Edgecote Moor, was captured and executed by a mob at Bridgwater, Somerset [Map]. He was buried at Glastonbury Abbey [Map]. Earl Devon, Baron Stafford of Southwick forfeit.
Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. [17th August 1469] When king Edward was advertised of this unfortunate chances, he wrote in all haste to the Sheriffs of Somerset and Devon, that if they could by any mean take the lord Stafford of Southwick [aged 30], that they upon pain of their lives, should without delay put him in execution, which accordingly to the kynges commandment, after long exploration made, found him hid in a village in Brentmarche [Map], called.... where he was taken & brought to Bridgwater [Map], & there cut shorter by the head.
In 1483 William Hody [aged 42] was elected MP Bridgwater.
Diary of Edward VI. August 1549. After that thei gathered at Launston, to whom the lord Prevy scale [aged 64] and sir William Herbert [aged 48]2 went, and overthrue them, taking their chief heades and executing them. Nevertheles some sayled to Brigewater [Map] and went about sedicion, but were quikely repressed. Hitherto of Devonshire.
Note 2. Sir William Herbert, then master of the King's horses, and afterwards earl of Pembroke, brought a thousand Welshmen, who, says Hooker, though they came too late to the fray, were yet soon enough to the play; for the whole country was then put to the spoil.
In 1625 Arthur Lake [aged 27] was elected MP Bridgwater.
In 1626 Arthur Lake [aged 28] was elected MP Bridgwater.
In 1673 Ralph Stawell 1st Baron Stawell [aged 32] was elected MP Bridgwater.
In 1679 Halswell Tynte 1st Baronet [aged 29] was elected MP Bridgwater. He was re-elected in Oct 1679, 1681 and 1685.
In 1701 Thomas Wroth 3rd Baronet [aged 27] was elected MP Bridgwater.
In 1727 Halswell Tynte 3rd Baronet [aged 21] was elected MP Bridgwater.
On 28th March 1761 Edward Southwell 20th Baron Clifford [aged 22] was elected MP Bridgwater.
In 1762 John Perceval 3rd Earl Egmont [aged 23] was elected MP Bridgwater which seat he held until 1768.
Peregrine Paulett was elected MP Bridgwater.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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The River Parrett rises in the hills around Chedington, Dorset [Map] after which it flows broadly north past Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset [Map], Muchelney, Somerset [Map], through Langport, Somerset [Map], Stathe, Somerset [Map], Burrow Bridge, Somerset [Map], then under Somerset Bridge [Map], through Bridgwater, Somerset [Map], past Dunball, Somerset [Map] and Combwich, Somerset [Map] before joining the Severn Estuary two kilometres south of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset [Map].
The River Parrett rises in the hills around Chedington, Dorset [Map] after which it flows broadly north past Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset [Map], Muchelney, Somerset [Map], through Langport, Somerset [Map], Stathe, Somerset [Map], Burrow Bridge, Somerset [Map], then under Somerset Bridge [Map], through Bridgwater, Somerset [Map], past Dunball, Somerset [Map] and Combwich, Somerset [Map] before joining the Severn Estuary two kilometres south of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset [Map].
The River Parrett rises in the hills around Chedington, Dorset [Map] after which it flows broadly north past Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset [Map], Muchelney, Somerset [Map], through Langport, Somerset [Map], Stathe, Somerset [Map], Burrow Bridge, Somerset [Map], then under Somerset Bridge [Map], through Bridgwater, Somerset [Map], past Dunball, Somerset [Map] and Combwich, Somerset [Map] before joining the Severn Estuary two kilometres south of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset [Map].
The River Parrett rises in the hills around Chedington, Dorset [Map] after which it flows broadly north past Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset [Map], Muchelney, Somerset [Map], through Langport, Somerset [Map], Stathe, Somerset [Map], Burrow Bridge, Somerset [Map], then under Somerset Bridge [Map], through Bridgwater, Somerset [Map], past Dunball, Somerset [Map] and Combwich, Somerset [Map] before joining the Severn Estuary two kilometres south of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset [Map].
The River Parrett rises in the hills around Chedington, Dorset [Map] after which it flows broadly north past Kingsbury Episcopi, Somerset [Map], Muchelney, Somerset [Map], through Langport, Somerset [Map], Stathe, Somerset [Map], Burrow Bridge, Somerset [Map], then under Somerset Bridge [Map], through Bridgwater, Somerset [Map], past Dunball, Somerset [Map] and Combwich, Somerset [Map] before joining the Severn Estuary two kilometres south of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset [Map].
On 6th July 1685 John Berkeley 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge [aged 35] fought at Westonzoyland Bridgwater, Somerset during the Battle of Sedgemoor.
Francis Compton [aged 56] was wounded.
Sharington Talbot [aged 29] "behaved himself very handsomely".