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 Wootton Bassett is in Member Parliament.
In 1545 Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos [aged 23] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
In 1584 Thomas Vavasour [aged 24] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
In 1586 Thomas Vavasour [aged 26] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
On 30th December 1623 the fourth Parliament of James I [aged 57] known as the Happy Parliament was summoned.
On 19th February 1624 the Happy Parliament held its first session.
Roland Egerton 1st Baronet [aged 29] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
Arthur Lake [aged 25] was elected MP Minehead.
James Wriothesley [aged 18] was elected MP Winchester.
Richard Edgecumbe [aged 53] was elected MP Grampound.
In 1626 Thomas Lake [aged 58] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
In November 1640 Edward Neville Poole [aged 23] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
In 1661 Walter St John 3rd Baronet [aged 38] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.
In October 1679 Henry St John 1st Viscount St John [aged 26] was elected MP Wootton Bassett which seat he held until March 1681. He also held the seat in 1685–87, 1689–95 and 1698–1700.
In 1708 Robert Cecil [aged 37] was elected MP Wootton Bassett. He did not stand at the 1710 British general election.
In 1831 Henry John George Herbert 3rd Earl Carnarvon [aged 30] was elected MP Wootton Bassett.