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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Maternal Family Tree: Agnes Hussey 1522-1588
Around 1522 Agnes Hussey was born to [her father] John Hussey of Shipwick, Dorset (age 13).
In 1540 [her daughter] Mary Moore was born to [her future husband] Roger Moore of Burcester, Oxfordshire and Agnes Hussey (age 18). She married in or before 1555 Michael Blount and had issue.
In 1544 [her daughter] Elizabeth Moore was born to [her future husband] Roger Moore of Burcester, Oxfordshire and Agnes Hussey (age 22). She married (1) 3rd May 1562 Gabriel Fowler (2) in or before 1583 John Brocket and had issue.
Before September 1551 Roger Moore of Burcester, Oxfordshire and Agnes Hussey (age 29) were married.
In September 1551 [her husband] Roger Moore of Burcester, Oxfordshire died.
On 3rd March 1552 Thomas Curzon and Agnes Hussey (age 30) were married.
Around 1553 [her daughter] Mary Curzon was born to [her husband] Thomas Curzon and Agnes Hussey (age 31). She married 1572 George Fermor of Easton Neston and had issue.
In or before 1555 [her son-in-law] Michael Blount (age 25) and [her daughter] Mary Moore (age 14) were married..
In 1555 [her husband] Thomas Curzon died.
In May 1555 Michael Wentworth (age 43) and Agnes Hussey (age 33) were married. This marriage is not mentioned on her monument so is, therefore, questionable. As is the date so soon after the death of her husband Thomas Curzon.
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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On 13th October 1558 [her husband] Michael Wentworth (age 46) died. He was buried at St Margaret's Church, Westminster [Map].
On 3rd May 1562 [her son-in-law] Gabriel Fowler and [her daughter] Elizabeth Moore (age 18) were married at St Peter le Poer Church, Broad Street.
In 1572 [her son-in-law] George Fermor of Easton Neston (age 21) and [her daughter] Mary Curzon (age 19) were married.
In or before 1583 [her son-in-law] John Brocket (age 42) and [her daughter] Elizabeth Moore (age 38) were married.
On 20th October 1588 Agnes Hussey (age 66) died.
. St Etheldreda's Church, Hatfield [Map]. Monument to Agnes Hussey and her daughter [her daughter] Elizabeth Moore.
Elizabeth Moore: In 1544 she was born to Roger Moore of Burcester, Oxfordshire and Agnes Hussey. On 3rd May 1562 Gabriel Fowler and she were married at St Peter le Poer Church, Broad Street. In or before 1583 John Brocket and she were married. On 24th June 1612 she died.
