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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Created Baronetesses of England is in Baronetcies of England.
A Baronet is a Commoner. Baronets are eligible for election to the House of Commons. Baronets are not part of the Peerage.
Baronetcies did occur before 1600, but very rarely. The title appears to have been equivalent to Banneret.
In 1611 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland granted letters patent to two hundred gentlemen, of good birth with an income of at least £1,000 a year, in return for which each was required to pay for the upkeep of thirty soldiers for three years. These Baronets were created on 22 May 1611, 29 Jun 1611, 24 Sep 1611 and 25 Nov 1611.
Wives of Baronets are referred to as "Lady"; they are not Baronetesses. Most Baronetcies descend through the male line only hence Baronetesses are rare. See Created Baronetesses of England.
On 19th December 1635 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles [aged 56] was created 1st Lady Bolles by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 35] with remainder to her heirs male and assignees. The only creation of a Baronetess in history. Bolles the name of her late husband Thomas Bolles who had died nine months before.
