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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On 13th October 1713 Allan Ramsay was born to Allan Ramsay [aged 26] in Edinburgh.
Around 1738. Allan Ramsay [aged 24]. Self-Portrait.
1739. Allan Ramsay [aged 25]. Portrait of his first wife Anne Bayne.
Anne Bayne: she was born to Alexander Bayne of Rires and Mary Carstairs. In 1739 Allan Ramsay and she were married. On 4th February 1743 Anne Bayne died in childbirth.
In 1739 Allan Ramsay [aged 25] and Anne Bayne were married.
1739. Allan Ramsay [aged 25]. Portrait of Lucy Manners Duchess Montrose [aged 22].
Lucy Manners Duchess Montrose: Around 1717 she was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland. On 28th October 1742 William Graham 2nd Duke Montrose and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Montrose. She the daughter of John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland. He the son of James Graham 1st Duke Montrose. On 18th June 1788 Lucy Manners Duchess Montrose died.
1739. Allan Ramsay [aged 25]. Portrait of Archibald Campbell 3rd Duke Argyll [aged 56].
Archibald Campbell 3rd Duke Argyll: In June 1682 he was born to Archibald Campbell 1st Duke Argyll and Elizabeth Tollemache Duchess Argyll. On 4th October 1743 John Campbell 2nd Duke Argyll died. His brother Archibald succeeded 3rd Duke Argyll. Duke of Greenwich, Earl of Greenwich and Baron Chatham extinct. On 15th April 1761 Archibald Campbell 3rd Duke Argyll died. His first cousin John succeeded 4th Duke Argyll.
1740. Allan Ramsay [aged 26]. Portrait of Elizabeth Symonds died 1776.
1741. Allan Ramsay [aged 27]. Portrait of Jemima Campbell 2nd Marchioness Grey [aged 17].
1742. Allan Ramsay [aged 28]. Portrait of Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 23].
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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1743. Allan Ramsay [aged 29]. Portrait of Anne Campbell Countess Strafford [aged 28].
Anne Campbell Countess Strafford: Around 1715 she was born to John Campbell 2nd Duke Argyll and Jane Warburton Duchess of Argyll. In 1741 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford and she were married. She by marriage Countess Strafford. She the daughter of John Campbell 2nd Duke Argyll and Jane Warburton Duchess of Argyll. He the son of Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford and Anne Johnson Countess Strafford. In 1785 Anne Campbell Countess Strafford died.
On 4th February 1743 [his wife] Anne Bayne died in childbirth.
1746. Allan Ramsay [aged 32]. Portrait of Jane Hale, Mrs Madan.
Jane Hale: she was born to Bernard Hale. On 17th December 1751 Reverend Martin Madan and she were married. In 1794 she died.
1746. Allan Ramsay [aged 32]. Portrait of Jane Douglas [aged 47].
Jane Douglas: On 17th March 1698 she was born to James Douglas 2nd Marquess Douglas and Mary Kerr Marchioness Douglas. In 1746 John Stewart 3rd Baronet and she were married. She the daughter of James Douglas 2nd Marquess Douglas and Mary Kerr Marchioness Douglas. On 21st November 1753 Jane Douglas died.
On 1st March 1752 Allan Ramsay [aged 38] and Margaret Lindsay [aged 26] at Canongate Kirk without the approval of her parents having eloped together. Her father never forgave her for marrying an artist.
1756. Allan Ramsay [aged 42]. Portrait of Mary Digges [aged 19].
Mary Digges: Around 1737 she was born to William of Mellwood Park Digges. On 1st January 1756 Robert Manners and she were married. They had three sons and two daughters. He the son of John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland. On 22nd February 1829 she died.
1756. Allan Ramsay [aged 42]. Portrait of Mary Digges [aged 19].
On 7th January 1758 [his father] Allan Ramsay [aged 71] died.
1759. Allan Ramsay [aged 45]. Portrait of Flora Macdonald [aged 37].
Flora Macdonald: In 1722 she was born to Ranald MacDonald at Milton. On 5th March 1790 she died.
1759. Allan Ramsay [aged 45]. Portrait of the artist's wife Margaret Lindsay [aged 33].
Margaret Lindsay: In 1726 she was born to Alexander Lindsay 3rd Baronet and Amelia Murray. On 1st March 1752 Allan Ramsay and Margaret Lindsay at Canongate Kirk without the approval of her parents having eloped together. Her father never forgave her for marrying an artist. In 1782 she died.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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1759. Allan Ramsay [aged 45]. Portrait of Henrietta Cantillon Countess Stafford [aged 31].
Henrietta Cantillon Countess Stafford: In 1728 she was born to Richard Cantillon. Before 1751 William Mathias Stafford-Howard 3rd Earl Stafford and she were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford, Baroness Stafford. He the son of William Stafford-Howard 2nd Earl Stafford and Anne Holman Countess Stafford. On 30th August 1761 she died.
1759. Allan Ramsay [aged 45]. Portrait of Princess Augusta Sophia Hanover.
Princess Augusta Sophia Hanover: On 8th November 1768 she was born to King George III of Great Britain and Ireland and Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England. On 22nd September 1840 Princess Augusta Sophia Hanover died.
In 1761 Allan Ramsay [aged 47] was appointed Principal In Ordinary to King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 22]. Due to the workload demanded of him he used numerous assistants including David Martin [aged 23].
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay [aged 48]. Portrait of Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey [aged 62].
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay [aged 48]. Portrait of Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England [aged 17].
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay [aged 48]. Portrait of Captain John Lindsay 1737-1788 [aged 25].
Rear-Admiral John Lindsay: In 1737 he was born to Alexander Lindsay 3rd Baronet and Amelia Murray. On 4th June 1788 he died.
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay [aged 48]. Portrait of Emilia Mary Lennox Duchess Leinster [aged 30].
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay [aged 48]. Portrait of Jean Abercromby, Mrs Morison of Haddo.
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay [aged 48]. Portrait of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 23].
Around 1767. Allan Ramsay [aged 53]. Portrait of Mrs Anna Bruce of Arnot died 1810.
Before 1783. Allan Ramsay [aged 69]. Portrait of William Douglas 4th Baronet [aged 52].
William Douglas 4th Baronet: Around 1730 he was born to John Douglas 3rd Baronet and Christian Cuninghame. On 21st March 1772 William Douglas 4th Baronet and Grace d William Johnstone Lady Kelhead were married. She by marriage Lady Kelhead. On 13th November 1778 John Douglas 3rd Baronet died. His son William succeeded 4th Baronet Kelhead. On 16th May 1783 William Douglas 4th Baronet died. His son Charles succeeded 5th Baronet Kelhead.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 1784. Allan Ramsay [aged 70]. Portrait of Clementina Walkinshaw [aged 63].
Clementina Walkinshaw: In 1720 she was born to John Walkinshaw of Barrowhill. On 27th November 1802 she died.
Before 1784. Allan Ramsay [aged 70]. Portrait of Anne Compton Lady Rushout.
Anne Compton Lady Rushout: she was born to George Compton 4th Earl of Northampton and Jane Fox Countess Northampton. In 1729 John Rushout 4th Baronet and she were married. She the daughter of George Compton 4th Earl of Northampton and Jane Fox Countess Northampton.
Before 1784. Allan Ramsay [aged 70]. Portrait of George Coventry 6th Earl Coventry [aged 61].
On 10th August 1784 Allan Ramsay [aged 70] died at Dover, Kent [Map].