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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Eure et Loire is in France.
In 1040 Geoffrey Chateaudun I Count Perche [aged 45] was murdered at Chartres [Map].
In 1080 Stephen Blois II Count Blois and Chartres [aged 35] and Adela Normandy Countess Blois [aged 13] were married at Chartres [Map]. She by marriage Countess Blois. The difference in their ages was 22 years. She the daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England [aged 52] and Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England [aged 49]. He the son of Theobald Blois III Count Blois [aged 68] and Gersenda Maine Countess Blois. They were third cousins.
On 1st July 1199 Theobald Blois III Count Champagne [aged 20] and Blanche Ramirez were married at Chartres [Map]. She the daughter of Sancho "Wise" King Navarre and Sancha Ivrea. He the son of Henry Blois I Count Champagne and Marie Capet Countess Champagne. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
In 1329 John Montfort IV Duke Brittany [aged 34] and Joanna of Flanders Duchess Brittany [aged 34] were married at Chartres [Map]. She the daughter of Louis Dampierre I Count Nevers and Joan Rethel Countess Nevers and Rethel. He the son of Arthur II Duke Brittany and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 65]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England.
On 13th April 1360 a freak weather event known as Black Monday Hailstorm occurred as the army of King Edward III of England [aged 47] were camped outside Chartres [Map]. Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick [aged 47], William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 50], Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 50], Edward "Black Prince" [aged 29] and Walter Mauny were present. Around one thousand English were killed, with up to six thousand horses. King Edward III of England believed the event to be an Act of God and proceeded to negotiate with the French resulting in the Treaty of Brétigny.
On 28th April 1360 Guy Beauchamp died from injuries received during the Black Monday Hailstorm.
In October 1161 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [aged 28] and Louis VII King of the Franks [aged 41] met at Fréteval [Map] and made peace.
On 21st March 1152 the marriage of Louis VII King of the Franks [aged 32] and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 30] was dissolved by Hugh Toucy Archbishop of Sens at the Château de Beaugency on the grounds of consanguinity. Both Louis and Eleanor were present as were the Archbishops of Rouen and Bordeaux. Samson Mauvoison Archbishop of Reims acted on behalf of Eleanor. In dissolving the marriage Louis lost control of the Duchy of Aquitaine which was to have far reaching consequences for the next three centuries.
On 30th August 1483 King Louis XI of France [aged 60] died. He was buried at the Basilica of Notre Dame-de-Cléry, Cléry-Saint-André [Map]. His son Charles [aged 13] succeeded VIII King France: Capet Valois.
On 1st December 1483 Queen Charlotte of Savoy [aged 42] died at Amboise. She was buried with her former husband King Louis XI of France , who had died three months before, in the Basilica of Notre Dame-de-Cléry, Cléry-Saint-André [Map].