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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MP Bramber is in Member Parliament.
In 1467 Roger Townshend (age 42) was elected MP Bramber.
In 1621 Thomas Bowyer 1st Baronet (age 34) was elected MP Bramber which seat he held until 1626.
In 1629 Thomas Bowyer 1st Baronet (age 42) was elected MP Bramber.
In April 1640 Thomas Bowyer 1st Baronet (age 53) was elected MP Bramber.
After November 1640 Thomas Bowyer 1st Baronet (age 53) was elected MP Bramber at a by-elected - the election in Nov 1640 had been declared void.
In 1660 Edward Eversfield (age 42) was elected MP Bramber which seat he held until 1661.
In 1741 Thomas Archer 1st Baron Archer (age 45) was elected MP Bramber.
In 1754 George Cholmondeley (age 29) was elected MP Bramber.
In 1761 Andrew Archer 2nd Baron Archer (age 24) was elected MP Bramber during the General Election.
n 1761 William Fitzherbert (age 49) was elected MP Bramber which seat he held until April 1762.
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.
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In 1788 Robert Hobart (age 27) was elected MP Bramber which seat he held until 1790. He sat concurrently in the Houses of Commons of Ireland and Great Britain.