The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

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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Biography of Mafalda Burgundy Queen Consort Castile 1196-1256

Paternal Family Tree: Capet

In 1196 Mafalda Burgundy Queen Consort Castile was born to Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal [aged 41] and Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal.

In 1206 [her brother] Alfonso "Fat" II King Portugal [aged 20] and [her sister-in-law] Urraca Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of Alfonso VIII King Castile [aged 50] and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile [aged 44]. He the son of [her father] Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal [aged 51] and [her mother] Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal. They were second cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 26th March 1211 [her father] Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal [aged 56] died. His son [her brother] Alfonso [aged 25] succeeded II King Portugal. [her sister-in-law] Urraca Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [aged 23] by marriage Queen Consort Portugal.

In 1214 [her brother-in-law] King Valdemar II of Denmark [aged 43] and [her sister] Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Denmark. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of [her father] Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal and [her mother] Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark and Sophia of Minsk.

On 5th October 1214 Alfonso VIII King Castile [aged 58] died. He was buried at Abbey of Santa Maria la Real de Huelgas [Map]. His son [her future husband] Henry [aged 10] succeeded I King Castile.

In 1215 Henry I King Castile [aged 10] and Mafalda Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal and Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Alfonso VIII King Castile and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile. They were second cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1216 [her husband] Henry I King Castile [aged 11] and [her niece] Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Castile [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [her brother-in-law] Alfonso IX King Leon [aged 44] and [her sister] Theresa of Portugal Queen Consort Leon [aged 40]. He the son of Alfonso VIII King Castile and Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile. They were second cousins. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 6th June 1217 [her husband] Henry I King Castile [aged 13] was killed by a tile falling of a roof. He was buried at Abbey of Santa Maria la Real de Huelgas [Map]. His sister [her sister-in-law] Berengaria [aged 38] succeeded I Queen Castile.

On 27th March 1221 [her sister] Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark [aged 23] died.

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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On 25th March 1223 [her brother] Alfonso "Fat" II King Portugal [aged 37] died at Coimbra. His son [her nephew] Sancho [aged 13] succeeded II King Portugal.

On 18th June 1250 [her sister] Theresa of Portugal Queen Consort Leon [aged 74] died.

On 1st May 1256 Mafalda Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [aged 60] died.

[her father] Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal and [her mother] Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Raymond V Count Barcelona. He the son of Afonso "Conqueror Founder Great" I King Portugal and Malfada Savoy Queen Consort Portugal. They were fifth cousins.