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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1603 The Entertainment at Althorp
1608 Masque of The Hue and Cry After Cupid
In 1572 Ben Johnson was born.
On 25th June 1603 the Ben Johnson [aged 31] Masque The Entertainment at Althorp was performed at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map] to welcome the new Royal Family on their journey from Edinburgh to London following the death of Queen Elizabeth. The performance was attended by Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland [aged 28] and her son Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales [aged 9].
On 6th January 1605, Twelfth Night, the Ben Johnson [aged 33] Masque of Blackness was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map]. The performers included:
Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland [aged 30] played Euphoris.
Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford [aged 25] played Aglaia.
Anne Lady Herbert [aged 22] played Diaphane.
Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby [aged 29] played Eucampse.
Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 41] played Kathare.
Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire [aged 42] played Ocyte.
Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill [aged 39] played Notis.
Anne St John Lady Effingham [aged 30] played Psychrote.
Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 22] played Glycyte.
Susan Vere Countess Montgomery [aged 17] played Malacia.
Mary Sidney Lady Wroth [aged 18] played Baryte.
Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham [aged 36] played Periphere.
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On 10th January 1608 the Ben Johnson [aged 36] Masque of Beauty was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] to celebrate the completion of its refurburbishment. King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 41] attended.
The performers included:
Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland [aged 33].
Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk [aged 23].
Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford [aged 28].
Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby [aged 32].
Susan Vere Countess Montgomery [aged 20].
Lettice Perrot Baroness Chichester [aged 48].
Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham [aged 39].
Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor [aged 33].
Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke [aged 17].
Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard [aged 15].
Elizabeth Somerset [aged 18].
Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton [aged 30].
Mary Neville 7th and 5th Baroness Abergavenny 3rd Baroness Despencer [aged 54].
Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor.
Arabella Stewart [aged 33].
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On 9th February 1608 John Ramsay, Viscount Haddington [aged 28] and Elizabeth Radclyffe were married at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She by marriage Viscountess Haddington. She the daughter of Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 34] and Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex.
James I [aged 41] gave the bride away and sent the bride a gold cup containing a grant of lands worth an income of £600 per year, also paid off Ramsay's debts of £10,000.
The marriage was celebrated with the Masque of The Hue and Cry After Cupid in the evening at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] written by Ben Johnson [aged 36].
The principal masquers, nobles and gentlemen of the Court, appeared in the guise of the twelve signs of the Zodiac; the men, five English and seven Scottish courtiers, were:
Ludovic Stewart 2nd Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 33].
Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 22].
Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 23].
William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke [aged 27].
Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox [aged 29].
Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 25].
James Hay 1st Earl Carlisle [aged 28].
Robert Crichton 8th Lord Sanquhar.
John Kennedy, Master of Mar.
Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick [aged 20].
Mr Erskine.
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Catiline His Conspiracy was written by Ben Johnson [aged 39]. It was first published in 1611.
The The Golden Age Restored Masque was a Jacobean era masque, written by Ben Johnson [aged 44] and designed by Inigo Jones [aged 42]; it was performed on 1st January 1616 and 06 Jan 1616, almost certainly at Whitehall Palace.
Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue Masque was a Masque by Ben Johnson [aged 46] first performed on Twelth Night 1618 ie 6th January 1618 in the Banqueting House at Whitehall Palace.
In 1621 George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 28] produced Ben Johnson's [aged 49] masque The Gypsies Metamorphosed to celebrate his marriage to Katherine Manners Duchess Buckingham [aged 18].
In 1637 Ben Johnson [aged 65] died.