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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Earl Dorset is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically.
There have been four creations of Earl Dorset:
1st. 1070. Bishop Osmund 1st Earl Dorset. Extinct. 3rd December 1099.
2nd. 5th July 1411. Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter. Extinct. 31st December 1426.
3rd. August 1441. Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset. Forfeit. 15th May 1464. 15 May 1464 Battle of Hexham.
4th. 1604. Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset. Extinct. 29th July 1843.
Earl Dorset is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1070. Bishop Osmund 1st Earl Dorset created.
3rd December 1099. Bishop Osmund 1st Earl Dorset extinct.
In 1070 Bishop Osmund 1st Earl Dorset was created 1st Earl Dorset.
On 3rd December 1099 Bishop Osmund 1st Earl Dorset died. Earl Dorset extinct. He was buried at Old Sarum [Map].
Earl Dorset is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
5th July 1411. Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 34] created.
31st December 1426. Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter extinct.
On 5th July 1411 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 34] was created 1st Earl Dorset. Margaret Neville Countess Dorest [aged 27] by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 31st December 1426 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 49] died at Greenwich, Kent [Map]. Some sources say 27th December 1426 and 1st January 1427. Duke Exeter and Earl Dorset extinct.
Earl Dorset is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Forfeit Earldoms of England.
Summary
August 1441. Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 35] created.
22nd May 1455. Son Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 19] succeeded. See First Battle of St Albans.
4th November 1461. Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset forfeit.
15th May 1464. Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset forfeit. See 15 May 1464 Battle of Hexham.
In August 1441 Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 35] was created 1st Earl Dorset. Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset [aged 32] by marriage Countess Dorset. The date possibly 1441.
On 22nd May 1455 the Wars of the Roses commenced with the First Battle of St Albans. Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York [aged 43] commanded with Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 26], Richard Neville Earl Salisbury [aged 55], Edward Brooke 6th Baron Cobham [aged 40] and Walter Strickland [aged 44].
The Lancastrians...
Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 49] was killed. His son Henry [aged 19] succeeded 2nd Duke Somerset, 2nd Marquess Dorset, 5th Earl Somerset, 2nd Earl Dorset. Note his father is frequently incorrectly referred to as the second Duke and Henry as the third Duke. His father's Dukedom, however, was a new creation.
Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland [aged 62] was killed. His son Henry [aged 33] succeeded 3rd Earl of Northumberland, 6th Baron Percy of Alnwick, 14th Baron Percy of Topcliffe. Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland [aged 33] by marriage Countess of Northumberland.
Thomas Clifford 8th Baron Clifford [aged 41] was killed. His son John [aged 20] succeeded 9th Baron de Clifford, 9th Lord Skipton. Margaret Bromflete Baroness Clifford [aged 21] by marriage Baroness de Clifford.
William Cotton [aged 45] and Richard Fortescue [aged 41] were killed.
Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 52] was wounded and captured.
King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 33], John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 54] and Edmund Sutton [aged 30] were captured.
Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset was wounded. James Butler 1st Earl Wiltshire 5th Earl Ormonde [aged 34] and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock [aged 55] fought.
Richard Cotton of Hampstall Ridware [aged 51] and his son William Cotton of Connington in Huntingdonshire [aged 27] were killed.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 4th November 1461 Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 25] was attainted. Duke Somerset, Marquess Dorset, Earl Somerset, Earl Dorset forfeit.
On 15th May 1464 a Yorkist army commanded by John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu [aged 33] defeated a Lancastrian army commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 28] at Hexham, Northumberland [Map].
Those fighting for York included John Stafford 1st Earl Wiltshire [aged 36], John Scrope 5th Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 26] and Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby [aged 36].
Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset was beheaded following the battle. The general pardon which he has previously received was annulled. Duke Somerset, Marquess Dorset, Earl Somerset and Earl Dorset forfeit for the second time. His son Edmund Beaufort [aged 25] was styled by supporters of the House of Lancaster as Duke of Somerset but had not right to do so.
Philip Wentworth [aged 40] was executed at Middleham [Map].
Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 36] and Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns [aged 33] fought for the Lancastrians.
Earl Dorset is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1604. Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset [aged 68] created.
19th April 1608. Son Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset [aged 47] succeeded.
27th February 1609. Son Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset [aged 19] succeeded.
28th March 1624. Brother Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset [aged 33] succeeded.
17th July 1652. Son Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset [aged 29] succeeded.
27th August 1677. Son Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex [aged 34] succeeded.
29th January 1706. Son Lionel Cranfield Sackville 1st Duke Dorset [aged 18] succeeded.
10th October 1765. Son Charles Sackville 2nd Duke Dorset [aged 54] succeeded.
5th January 1769. Nephew John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset [aged 23] succeeded.
19th July 1799. Son George Frederick Sackville 4th Duke Dorset [aged 5] succeeded.
14th February 1815. First Cousin Once Removed Charles Sackville 5th Duke Dorset [aged 47] succeeded.
29th July 1843. Charles Sackville 5th Duke Dorset extinct.
In 1604 Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset [aged 68] was created 1st Earl Dorset. Cicely Baker Countess Dorset [aged 69] by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 19th April 1608 Thomas Sackville 1st Earl Dorset [aged 72] died suddenly at the council table, having apparently suffered a stroke. His funeral was held at Westminster Abbey [Map]. He was buried in the Sackville Chapel St Michael's Church Withyham East Sussex. His son Robert [aged 47] succeeded 2nd Earl Dorset, 2nd Baron Buckhurst. Anne Spencer Countess Dorset by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 27th February 1609 Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset [aged 48] died at Dorset House. He was buried at Sackville Chapel St Michael's Church Withyham East Sussex. His son Richard [aged 19] succeeded 3rd Earl Dorset, 3rd Baron Buckhurst and inherited Knole House, Sevenoaks. Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke [aged 19] by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 28th March 1624 Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset [aged 35] died at Dorset House. He was buried in the Sackville Chapel St Michael's Church Withyham East Sussex. His brother Edward [aged 33] succeeded 4th Earl Dorset, 4th Baron Buckhurst. Mary Curzon Countess Dorset [aged 34] by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 17th July 1652 Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset [aged 61] died. His son Richard [aged 29] succeeded 5th Earl Dorset, 5th Baron Buckhurst. Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset [aged 30] by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 27th August 1677 Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset [aged 54] died. His son Charles [aged 34] succeeded 6th Earl Dorset, 6th Baron Buckhurst. Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset [aged 32] by marriage Countess Dorset.
On 7th March 1685 Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex [aged 42] and Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Countess Dorset, Countess Middlesex. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of James Compton 3rd Earl of Northampton and Mary Noel Countess Northampton. He the son of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset and Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset [aged 63]. They were sixth cousins.
On 29th January 1706 Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex [aged 63] died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. His son Lionel [aged 18] succeeded 7th Earl Dorset, 2nd Earl Middlesex, 7th Baron Buckhurst, 2nd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
In January 1709 Lionel Cranfield Sackville 1st Duke Dorset [aged 20] and Elizabeth Colyear Duchess Dorset [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Dorset. He the son of Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex and Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex.
On 10th October 1765 Lionel Cranfield Sackville 1st Duke Dorset [aged 77] died at Knole House, Sevenoaks. His son Charles [aged 54] succeeded 2nd Duke Dorset, 8th Earl Dorset, 3rd Earl Middlesex, 8th Baron Buckhurst, 3rd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
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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On 5th January 1769 Charles Sackville 2nd Duke Dorset [aged 57] died. His nephew John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Duke Dorset, 9th Earl Dorset, 4th Earl Middlesex, 9th Baron Buckhurst, 4th Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
In 1790 John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset [aged 44] and Arabella Diana Cope 3rd Duchess Dorset [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Duchess Dorset, 9th Countess Dorset. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of Charles Cope 2nd Baronet and Catherine Bishopp Countess Liverpool [aged 45]. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 19th July 1799 John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset [aged 54] died. His son George [aged 5] succeeded 4th Duke Dorset, 10th Earl Dorset, 5th Earl Middlesex, 10th Baron Buckhurst, 5th Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 14th February 1815 George Frederick Sackville 4th Duke Dorset [aged 21] died. His first cousin once removed Charles [aged 47] succeeded 5th Duke Dorset, 11th Earl Dorset, 6th Earl Middlesex, 11th Baron Buckhurst, 6th Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 29th July 1843 Charles Sackville 5th Duke Dorset [aged 75] died unmarried. He was buried in St Peter's Church, Lowick [Map]. Duke Dorset, Earl Dorset, Earl Middlesex, Viscount Sackville of Drayton in Sussex, Baron Buckhurst, Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex and Baron Bolebrooke in Sussex extinct.