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 Heytesbury is in Member Parliament.
In 1571 John Thynne (age 56) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1584 John Thynne (age 28) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1586 John Thynne (age 30) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1593 John Thynne (age 37) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1597 John Thynne (age 41) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1601 John Thynne (age 45) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1604 William Eyre of Great Chalfield Wiltshire (age 47) was elected MP Heytesbury.
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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In 1621 Thomas Thynne (age 43) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1624 Thomas Thynne (age 46) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1625 Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 25) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1626 Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 26) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1628 Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 28) was elected MP Heytesbury.
On 25th April 1660...
Thomas Thynne (age 50) was elected MP Hindon.
Henry Carey 4th Viscount Falkland (age 26) was elected MP Oxfordshire.
Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 29) was elected MP Derbyshire.
John Glynne (age 58) was elected MP Caernarfonshire.
William Glynne 1st Baronet (age 22) was elected MP Caernarfon.
Francis Godolphin (age 54) was elected MP Heytesbury.
Richard Jennings (age 41) was elected MP St Albans.
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In 1702 and 1705 William Monson 4th Baronet (age 47) was elected MP Heytesbury unopposed.
In 1727 Charles Cavendish (age 22) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1768 Charles Fitzroy-Scudamore (age 55) was elected MP Heytesbury which seat he held until 1774.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In 1807 James Edward Harris 2nd Earl Malmesbury (age 28) was elected MP Heytesbury.
In 1812 Charles Duncombe 1st Baron Feversham (age 47) was elected MP Heytesbury.