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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Pendants is in Church Monument Details.
1527 Hans Holbein The Younger [aged 30]. Portrait of Thomas More [aged 48] wearing a Lancastrian Esses Collar with Beaufort Portcullis and Tudor Rose Pendant.
After 1554. St Mary the Virgin Church, North Aston [Map]. Believed to be a. Monument to John Anne but the armour would suggest it is around a hundred years or so earlier than his death in 1554. Finely carved in alabaster. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Lion Pendant. Fine Bedesmen on the chest. Dogs chewing at her dress. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Angels Supporting Pillow. Chest with Weepers. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields. Gabled Headress with Lappets.
John Anne: In 1554 he died.
1482. Monument at Church of St Michael and All Angels, Thornhill [Map]. Some discussion as to whose monument it is. Some say it is John Savile of Thornhill [aged 75] and his wife Alice Gascoigne [aged 66]. Others say Thomas Savile and Margaret Pilkington which appears to early but monuments sometimes erected long after the death of its subjects.
Alabaster chest tomb. Possibly York School of Carving. Similarities with the monuments at All Saints Church Harewood [Map] which are also Gascoigne, Church of St Helen and the Holy Cross Sheriff Hutton [Map] and Church of St Oswald, Methley [Map]. Suns and Roses Collar. Lion of March Pendant. Maidens Head Crest from Thornhill family; the Savile family obtained Thorhill through marriage.
After 10th November 1559. Church of St Nicholas, Alcester [Map]. Monument to Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby [deceased] and Elizabeth Willoughby 11th Baroness Latimer 3rd Baroness Willoughby of Broke [aged 47]. Somewhat curious armour; possibly imagined by the carver. Rose Pendant. Chunky Lions Mane. Chest with Weepers. Helm with Folds. Dress Folds at Feet. Possibly Richard and Gabriel Royley of Burton-upon-Trent.
Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby: Around 1503 he was born to Edward Greville at Milcote, Warwickshire. Before 1536 Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby and Elizabeth Willoughby 11th Baroness Latimer 3rd Baroness Willoughby of Broke were married. He by marriage Baron Latimer of Corby, Baron Willoughby Broke. On 10th November 1559 Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby died at Alcester, Warwickshire [Map].
In 1527 Hans Holbein The Younger [aged 30]. Portrait of Henry Guildford [aged 38] wearing the Garter and Inter twined Knots Collar with St George Pendant. Standing three-quarter length, richly dressed in velvet, fur and cloth-of-gold. Holbein has meticulously shown the varied texture of his cloth-of-gold double which is woven into a pomegranate pattern with a variety of different weaves including loops of gold thread. Similarly, he has carefully articulated the band of black satin running down Guildford's arm against the richer black of the velvet of his sleeve. A lavish use of both shell-gold paint and gold leaf (which has been used to emulate the highlights of the gold thread in the material) emphasises the luxuriousness of the sitter's dress and his high status. In his right-hand he holds the Comptroller of the Household Staff of Office.
In 1559 Hans Eworth [aged 39]. Portrait of Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu [aged 30] wearing a Garter Collar and St George Pendant.
After 17th September 1563. Alabaster Monument to Henry Manners 2nd Earl of Rutland [deceased] and Margaret Neville Countess Rutland at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
Monument an unusual Table Tomb with their effigies beneath surmounted by effigies of their children. The table may once have been raised in the same way as the one at St Lawrence's Church, Snarford [Map] to Thomas St Paul which may be by the same carver.
His arms showing quarterly: 1&4: 
Manners Augmented Arms. 2nd: Top Row: 
Ros Arms, 
Roet Arms, Trusbutt [or Belvoir], Bottom Row: Todeni [Albini ancient], 
Daubeney Arms, 
Badlesmere Arms. 3rd Quarterly: 1 
Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent 1350 1397 Arms, 2 
Tiptoft Arms, 3 
Vaux Arms 4. 
Powys Arms aka Charlton.
Her arms. Quartered 1&4 
Neville Arms, 2 Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent 1350 1397 Arms, 4 Neville Ancient Arms.
Peacock in Pride ie with its feathers displayed.
Detail of their children.
Detail of the corner of the pediment on which the arms are displayed decorated with fruit and detail of one of the legs of the table.
Detail of his armour, in his right hand a prayer-book, his left hand clutching his sword.
Detail of the St George Pendant Pendant signifying his being a Knight of the Order of the Garter.
Detail of the Unicorn on which his feet rest and Lion on which her feet rest.
The Manners Peacock Crest.
Detail of the Heart locket on her necklace and his St George Pendant.
St Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield [Map]. After 24th May 1612. Monument to Robert Cecil 1st Earl Salisbury [deceased].
The insignia of the Order of the Garter being the shoulder emblem, the small St George pendant hanging from his chain, and the leg garter.
The four ladies at each corner.
His feet resting on a sheaf of arrows.
On 22nd August 1903 Robert Gascoyne-Cecil 3rd Marquess Salisbury [aged 73] died. Monument at St Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield [Map] by William Goscombe John [aged 43]. His son James [aged 41] succeeded 4th Marquess Salisbury in Wiltshire, 10th Earl Salisbury. Cicely Anne Gore Marchioness Salisbury [aged 36] by marriage Marchioness Salisbury in Wiltshire. Note the St George Pendant signifying his being a Knight of the Garter.
Cicely Anne Gore Marchioness Salisbury: On 15th July 1867 she was born to Arthur Saunders Gore 5th Earl Arran and Edith Jocelyn. On 17th May 1887 James Gascoyne-Cecil 4th Marquess Salisbury and she were married. She the daughter of Arthur Saunders Gore 5th Earl Arran and Edith Jocelyn. He the son of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil 3rd Marquess Salisbury and Georgina Alderson Marchioness of Salisbury. On 5th February 1955 Cicely Anne Gore Marchioness Salisbury died.
After 1517. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Richard Vernon [aged 40] and Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin [aged 17]. Fluted Period. Angels Supporting Pillow. The alabaster chest was once used as the altar. He with an Lancastrian Esses Collar and Tudor Rose Pendant. Chest with Bedesmen. Note the swirling tail at his feet which may indicate the work of Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent.
Richard Vernon: Around 1477 he was born to Henry Vernon and Anne Talbot. In or before 1508 Richard Vernon and Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years. They were fourth cousin once removed. In August 1517 Richard Vernon died. He was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map].
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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1527 Hans Holbein The Younger [aged 30]. Portrait of Thomas More [aged 48] wearing a Lancastrian Esses Collar with Beaufort Portcullis and Tudor Rose Pendant.
On 14th August 1539 Ralph Sacheverell [aged 33] died at Ratcliffe on Soar, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church Ratcliffe on Soar [Map].
On 27th June 1538 Cecilia Durance [aged 30] died. She was buried at Holy Trinity Church Ratcliffe on Soar [Map].
Decorated Gabled Headress. Lancastrian Esses Collar with Big Esses with Tudor Rose Pendant. Possibly second hand monuments. Gabled Headress.
Ralph Sacheverell: Ralph Sacheverell and Cecilia Durance were married. Ralph Sacheverell and Anna Unknown were married. In 1506 he was born to Richard Sacheverell Baron Hungerford, Botreaux and Moleyns and Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns at Ratcliffe on Soar, Nottinghamshire [Map].
Cecilia Durance: In 1508 she was born to John Durance at Isham, Northamptonshire.
On 26th July 1594 Richard Shireburn [aged 72] died. He was buried in Church of All Hallows, Great Mitton [Map]. Monument sculpted by Richard and Gabriel Royley of Burton-upon-Trent. Bongrace. Unicorn Pendant. Ruff. Dogs chewing at her dress. Dress Folds at Feet. Chunky Lions Mane. Chest with Weepers holding Shields. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar.
On 2nd March 1484 Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 56] died at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map].
On 20th October 1490 Elizabeth Marshall [aged 53] died. She was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map].
Monument to Ralph and Elizabeth. Finely made in Chellaston alabaster of the Fluted Period. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Fitzherbert Clenched Fist Crest. His effigy notable for being the only remaining with the Yorkist Boar Pendant (boar of Richard III) on his Suns and Roses Collar.
Ralph Fitzherbert: Around 1428 he was born to Nicholas Fitzherbert and Alice Booth at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. In or before 1450 Ralph Fitzherbert and Elizabeth Marshall were married. They had seven sons and five daughters.
Elizabeth Marshall: Around 1437 she was born to John Marshall.
