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.
Paternal Family Tree: Ivrea
Maternal Family Tree: Inês Castro 1325-1355
In 1394 [his father] Ferdinand I King Aragon (age 13) and [his mother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 20) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of [his grandfather] John I King Castile and [his grandmother] Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile. They were first cousin once removed.
In 1396 Alfonso V King Aragon was born to [his father] Ferdinand I King Aragon (age 15) and [his mother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 22). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.41%.
On 31st May 1410 King Martin I of Aragon (age 53) died. His nephew [his father] Ferdinand (age 29) succeeded I King Aragon.
On 12th June 1415 Alfonso V King Aragon (age 19) and Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Aragon (age 13) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Henry III King Castile and Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile (age 42). He the son of Ferdinand I King Aragon (age 34) and Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 41). They were first cousins. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 2nd April 1416 [his father] Ferdinand I King Aragon (age 35) died. His son Alfonso (age 20) succeeded V King Aragon.
In 1418 [his brother-in-law] John II King Castile (age 12) and [his sister] Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Castile (age 22) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [his father] Ferdinand I King Aragon and [his mother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 44). He the son of [his uncle] Henry III King Castile and [his mother-in-law] Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile (age 44). They were first cousins. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.
Before 29th May 1421 [his brother] John II King Aragon (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Blanche Évreux Queen Consort Aragon (age 33) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Charles III King Navarre (age 60) and Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort Navarre (age 58). He the son of [his father] Ferdinand I King Aragon and [his mother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 47). They were first cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 2nd June 1423 [his illegitimate son] Ferdinand I King Naples was born illegitimately to Alfonso V King Aragon (age 27) and Giralda Carlino.
Around 1433 [his son-in-law] Mariano Marzano and [his illegitimate daughter] Leonora Trastámara were married. She the illegitmate daughter of Alfonso V King Aragon (age 37) and Giralda Carlino.
On 16th December 1435 [his mother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 61) died.
Around 1436 [his illegitimate daughter] Maria Trastámara was born illegitimately to Alfonso V King Aragon (age 40) and Giralda Carlino.
After 1441 [his brother] John II King Aragon (age 42) and [his sister-in-law] Juana Enríquez Queen Consort Aragon (age 16) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. The difference in their ages was 26 years. She the daughter of Fadrique Enríquez Count Melgar Count Rueda (age 51) and Mariana Fernández Countess Melgar. He the son of [his father] Ferdinand I King Aragon and [his mother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon. They were second cousin once removed.
In 1444 [his son-in-law] Leonello Este and [his illegitimate daughter] Maria Trastámara (age 8) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of Alfonso V King Aragon (age 48) and Giralda Carlino.
In 1445 [his sister] Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Castile (age 49) died.
On 30th May 1445 [his illegitimate son] Ferdinand I King Naples (age 21) and [his daughter-in-law] Isabella Clermont Queen Consort Naples (age 21) were married. He the illegitmate son of Alfonso V King Aragon (age 49) and Giralda Carlino.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1449 [his illegitimate daughter] Maria Trastámara (age 13) died.
In 1450 Alfonso V King Aragon (age 54) was appointed 166th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 28).
On 27th June 1458 Alfonso V King Aragon (age 62) died. His son [his illegitimate son] Ferdinand (age 35) succeeded I King Naples. [his daughter-in-law] Isabella Clermont Queen Consort Naples (age 34) by marriage Queen Consort Naples. His brother John (age 59) succeeded II King Aragon.
On 7th September 1458 [his former wife] Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Aragon (age 56) died.
[his illegitimate daughter] Leonora Trastámara was born illegitimately to Alfonso V King Aragon and Giralda Carlino.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Godwinson: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 
2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Guzman
GrandFather: John I King Castile 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Manuel Ivrea 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elisabeth Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Juan Manuel Prince of Villena 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecilia Baux Countess Savoy 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Juana Manuel Queen of Castile 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand de la Cerda Ivrea 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinando de la Cerda 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Capet 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanca de la Cerda y Lara 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Juan Núñez de Lara
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juana "La Palomilla" Núñez de Lara
Great x 4 Grandmother: Teresa Díaz de Haro
Father: Ferdinand I King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: James "The Just" II King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso IV King Aragon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles II King Naples 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter IV King Aragon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon
GrandMother: Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Frederick III King Sicily
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter II King Sicily 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles II King Naples 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Capet 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Alfonso V King Aragon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso III King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
GrandFather: Sancho Alfonso Ivrea 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Guzman
Mother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso III King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter I King Portugal 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
GrandMother: Beatrice Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Pedro Fernández de Castro
Great x 1 Grandmother: Inês Castro