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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Sibia Fortia Queen Consort Aragon was born to [her father] Berenguer de Fortià and [her mother] Francesca de Vilamarí.
On 24th January 1336 Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 36) died. His son [her future husband] Peter (age 16) succeeded IV King Aragon.
On 23rd July 1338 [her future husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 18) and Maria Évreux Queen Consort Aragon (age 9) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Philip "Noble" III King Navarre (age 32) and Joan Capet II Queen Navarre (age 26). He the son of Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 15th November 1347 [her future husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 28) and Eleanor Burgundy Queen Consort Aragon (age 19) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal (age 56) and Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal (age 54). He the son of Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. They were second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 27th August 1349 [her future husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 29) and Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. They were second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1376 [her illegitimate son] Alfonso Barcelona was born illegitimately to [her future husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 56) and Sibia Fortia Queen Consort Aragon. He died aged one in 1377.
In 1377 [her illegitimate son] Alfonso Barcelona (age 1) died.
On 11th October 1377 Peter IV King Aragon (age 58) and Sibia Fortia Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon.
In April 1379 [her son] Peter Barcelona died.
In April 1379 [her son] Peter Barcelona was born to [her husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 59) and Sibia Fortia Queen Consort Aragon. He died aged less than one years old.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Before 4th October 1379 John I King Castile (age 21) and [her step-daughter] Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile (age 21) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [her husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 60) and Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile and Juana Manuel Queen of Castile (age 40). They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1380 [her daughter] Isabella Barcelona was born to [her husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 60) and Sibia Fortia Queen Consort Aragon.
On 2nd February 1380 [her step-son] King John I of Aragon (age 29) and Yolande of Bar Queen Consort Aragon (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Robert of Bar 1st Duke of Bar (age 35) and Marie Valois Duchess Bar (age 35). He the son of [her husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 60) and Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 13th September 1382 [her step-daughter] Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile (age 24) died.
In 1385 [her step-daughter] Joanna Barcelona (age 40) died.
On 6th January 1387 [her husband] Peter IV King Aragon (age 67) died. His son [her step-son] John (age 36) succeeded I King Aragon.