The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

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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Ty Illtyd Long Barrow, Llanhamlach, Breconshire, Powys, Wales, British Isles [Map]

Ty Illtyd Long Barrow is in Llanhamlach, Breconshire, Prehistoric Wales Neolithic Burials.

Long Barrows of the Cotswolds. Ty Illtyd Long Barrow [Map]

Brecknockshire, 34 N.E. Parish of Llanhamlach. 9 *.

Latitude 51° 55' 51'. Longitude3° 18' 41''. Height above O.D., a little more than 700 feet.

This is a most interesting Long Barrow, and in compiling the following account I have availed myself of notes made on the spot by Mr. Evan Morgan of Brecon, in addition to my own made on August 6th, 1921. Mr. Morgan also drew the plan reproduced here. One chamber of the barrow is intact and covered by a capstone. It has been rifled at some very distant date, and on three of the uprights are carved a number of symbols. They appear, however, to be of much later date than the chamber itself, and the inscription on the stone north of and outside the chamber is in lettering of apparently mediseval character. Mr. Morgan says, "Incidentally they suggest that they were made after the chamber was constructed, as they are more numerous on the western stone than on the eastern, and in my opinion better cut. I take this to mean that they were made by a person lying on his left side and using his right hand to cut. . There is on the south end-stone a crude design of what I think is a harp." (About 1½ by 2 inches). The chamber, as will be seen from the plan, is 5 feet 9 inches long by 3 feet 4 inches wide, measured inside. The capstone is 7 feet long by 6 feet wide. It more than covers the chamber.