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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Sinking of The London is in 1660-1684 Restoration.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 8th March 1665. Though a bitter cold day, yet I rose, and though my pain and tenderness in my testicle remains a little, yet I do verily think that my pain yesterday was nothing else, and therefore I hope my disease of the stone may not return to me, but void itself in pissing, which God grant, but I will consult my physitian. This morning is brought me to the office the sad newes of "The London", in which Sir J. Lawson's [aged 50] men were all bringing her from Chatham, Kent [Map] to the Hope, and thence he was to go to sea in her; but a little a'this side the buoy of the Nower, she suddenly blew up. About 24 [men] and a woman that were in the round-house and coach saved; the rest, being above 300, drowned: the ship breaking all in pieces, with 80 pieces of brass ordnance. She lies sunk, with her round-house above water. Sir J. Lawson hath a great loss in this of so many good chosen men, and many relations among them. I went to the 'Change [Map], where the news taken very much to heart.
John Evelyn's Diary. 9th March 1665. I went to receive the poor creatures that were saved out of the London frigate, blown up by accident, with above 200 men.
Calendar of State Papers Charles II 1665. 9th March 1665. Coffee House.
90. — to Sec. Bennet [aged 47]. The selling of places makes men steal to raise their money. The blowing up of the London was caused by chapmen selling powder 20s a barrel cheaper than in London. The Hollanders call the King's proclamation damnable, devilish, and such like, and are raising an army of 30,000 men. A Dutch man-of-war has taken two small Scotch ships. On reading the Order in Council for suspending the Act of Navigation, a Commonwealth man said it should have been done by privately warning the merchants, for it looked as though we feared the Dutch, since the last war was wholly on the Act of Navigation and might discourage the seamen, that Act being for their benefit; but it was replied that the cases were different, and the seamen would now have better pay than the merchants gave before the expedition. TheDuteblord who made the match between the Prince of Orange and the late King's daughter said he wondered they would print so dirty a to the King of England's ambassador, for in abusing his person, they abused His Majesty ; they say the King is their enemy, and defend their News-book. There is à rumour in the City that the aldermen and several companies will build the King a ship, to be called the London, and that another regiment of foot is to be raised and sent. into Ireland.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 10th March 1665. Up, and to the office all the morning. At noon to the 'Change [Map], where very hot, people's proposal of the City giving the King' [aged 34] another ship for "The London", that is lately blown up, which would be very handsome, and if well managed, might be done; but I fear if it be put into ill hands, or that the courtiers do solicit it, it will never be done.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 11th March 1665. Up and to the office, at noon home to dinner, and to the office again, where very late, and then home to supper and to bed. This day returned Sir W. Batten [aged 64] and Sir J. Minnes [aged 66] from Lee Roade, where they have been to see the wrecke of "The London", out of which, they say, the guns may be got, but the hull of her will be wholly lost, as not being capable of being weighed [raised].
Calendar of Treasury Papers. Around 17th May 1694. 4. Papers relating to certain guns which had been sunk in their Majesties' ship the "London," near the buoy at the Nore, which guns Sir William Pritchard had entered into agreement with the Office of Ordnance to recover, receiving half the value, and, having recovered them, refused to deliver the half of them on account of a debt due to him for stores. Including the Solicitor-General's opinion thereon; signed "Tho. Trevor." A report on the subject is dated 17 May 1694.
There is the following entry in the Minute Book, Vol. VI., p. 112, 26 Nov. 1695: "Officers of Ordnance and Sr Wm Pritchard abt ye guns taken out of ye 'London' wreck 17 or 18 years ago. He took them up on articles to have half; he would have ye ks half towd an old debt in ye Office of Ordnce. My Lords cannot pay this debt."