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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St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough is in Edelsborough, Buckinghamshire, Churches in Buckinghamshire.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map] is, apparently, built on top of an artificial mound; the name Edelsborough is derived from the Old English for "Eadwulf's barrow" [Wikipedia] or, arguably, "Eadwulf's burgh" i.e. enclosure. The earliest parts of the church are 13th Century, the tower 14th Century. The church has been redundant since 1975, when the ecclesiastical parish merged with that of Eaton Bray. Today the church is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, and it is normally open to visitors.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Tower arch.
Brass of Rector John de Swynstede, died 17th March 1395, in the north aisle at St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. The head scroll reads: "Christ loved usand wshed us from our sins in his own blood." The inscription at his feet reads "Here lies Sir John de Swynstede, formerly Rector of this Church, who died the 17th day of March, in the year of our Lord 1395 on whose soul may God have mercy. Amen."
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. The remains of a brass to John Killingworth, died 1412. The brass was moved from Edlesborough Church to the chapel in Ashridge House, Little Gaddesden.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. The rood screen between the nave and chancel was installed in the 15th century. Seats with misericords.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. The main section of the carved octagonal pulpit and canopy is 15th century. The hour glass stand is 17th century. It was restored in 1867.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Grave of Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Brugis, wife of Ralph Hutchinson, died 28th September 1636.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Brass to Henry Brugis, died 15th June 1647, and his wife Francis Pigoot, now lost.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Grave in the Chancel of Richard, son of John Theed of Horton Hall, died 15th February 1680 aged twelve months.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Grave in the Chancel of John Theed of Horton Hall, husband of Margaret Pym, died 31st March 1686.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Grave in the Chancel, and memorial, of Margaret Pym, died 30th March 1701, wife of Thomas Bayley, Principal of New Inn Hall, Oxford University. And also of her first husband John Theed, and their eldest son John Theed of Horton Hall.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Grave in the Chancel of William Ginger, died 25th May 1738 aged 63 years.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Stained glass window dedicated to Vicar William Wroth, among others.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Memorial to Thomas Ginger, died 8th August 1819, aged 49 years and his wife, Priscilla, died 24th November 1853, aged 75.
On 28th March 1824 the tower of St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map] was struck by lightning, setting it on fire. The roof's lead melted, and the molten lead set fire to everything it struck. Villagers fought the fire, which burned for 12 hours until it was extinguished.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Memorial to John Gray Ginger, died 21st August 1835, aged 30 years.
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.'
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The wall paintings above the Chancel arch at St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map] are from the Victorian restoratin in 1867 by Daniel Bell.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Chancel with Altar and East Window. The reredos dates from 1895. The Rose Brass was removed to were moved from Edlesborough Church to the chapel in Ashridge House, Little Gaddesden.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Stained glass window in the Chancel made in 1901 by Charles Eamer Kempe [aged 63] as indicated by his motif of a wheatsheaf, aka garb, bottom left, which also appears on the Kempe armorial. The window depicts St Peterm Virgin and Child, Sy Nicholas i.e. the Natvitiy, Kings, Bishop William Waynflete, and is dedicated to the Revered Augustus Frederick Birch, who was vicar at the time of the 1867 restoration.
1920Memorial at St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map] to those who fought in the Great War.
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. 1935 stained glass window depicting the Nativity dedicated to artist Helen Frazer Rock,1878-1932, who was born in Edelsborough parish, by Margaret Edith Aldrich Rope, 1891-1988.
Rectors and Vicars of St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map].
St Mary the Virgin Church, Edelsborough [Map]. Stained glass window in the south aisle.