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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Merged with the Crown Earldoms of England is in Earldoms of England.
In 1156 Gilbert Gaunt 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 30] died. Earl Lincoln merged with the Crown.
On 6th June 1237 John Dunkeld 9th Earl Huntingdon 7th Earl Chester 8th Earl Northampton [aged 30] died. Matthew Paris suggests he was poisoned by his wife Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar [aged 19]. Earl Huntingdon, Earl of Northampton extinct. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.
On 15th May 1268 Peter of Savoy 1st Earl of Richmond [aged 65] died. He left the Honour of Richmond to his niece Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England [aged 45] who transferred it to the crown.
On 7th July 1307 King Edward I of England [aged 68] died at Burgh by Sands [Map] whilst on his way north to Scotland. His son Edward [aged 23] succeeded II King of England. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.
Edward had gathered around him Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln [aged 29], Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick [aged 35], Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke [aged 32] and Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford [aged 33] and charged them with looking after his son in particular ensuring Piers Gaveston 1st Earl Cornwall [aged 23] didn't return from exile.
On 30th September 1399 King Henry IV of England [aged 32] became King of England usurping the throne of his cousin Richard II [aged 32] and Richard's heir, the seven year old Edmund Mortimer 5th Earl of March [aged 7] who was descended from Edward III's second son Lionel of Antwerp Duke of Clarence. This second usurption was to have far reaching consequences since it subsequently became the descent by which the House of York claimed precedence over the House of Lancaster being one of the causes of the Wars of the Roses. Duke Lancaster, Duke of Hereford, Earl Derby, Earl Lancaster and Earl of Leicester merged with the Crown.
Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland [aged 35] was appointed Earl Marshal.
On 28th June 1461 King Edward IV of England [aged 19] was crowned IV King of England. Duke York, Earl March, Earl of Ulster, Earl Cambridge, Baron Mortimer of Wigmore merged with the Crown. Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 43] was assisted by Archbishop William Booth [aged 73] at Westminster Abbey [Map].
On 30th October 1485 King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 28] was crowned VII King of England by Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 67] at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Earl Richmond merged with the crown. Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond [aged 42], his mother, attended.
Robert Dymoke [aged 24] attended as the Kings' Champion.
John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 43] carried the King's train.
On 21st April 1509 King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 52] died of tuberculosis at Richmond Palace [Map]. His son Henry VIII [aged 17] succeeded VIII King of England. Duke York and Earl Chester merged with the Crown.
On 28th January 1547 Henry VIII [aged 55] died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son Edward [aged 9] succeeded VI King of England. Earl Chester merged with the Crown.
Thomas Wendy [aged 46] attended the King. He was one of the witnesses to the King's last will and testament, for which he received £100.
