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: Skeffington
On 16th March 1738 [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene (age 23) and Anne Daniel were married.
On 25th November 1741 [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene (age 26) and [his mother] Anne Eyre Countess Massereene (age 24) were married.
On 28th January 1742 Clotworthy Skeffington 2nd Earl Massereene was born to [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene (age 27) and [his mother] Anne Eyre Countess Massereene (age 25).
On 28th July 1756 [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene (age 41) was created 1st Earl Massereene. [his mother] Anne Eyre Countess Massereene (age 39) by marriage Countess Massereene.
On 14 or 17th September 1757 [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene (age 42) died. His son Clotworthy (age 15) succeeded 2nd Earl Massereene, 6th Viscount Massereene, 6th Baron Lough Neagh, 8th Baronet Skeffington of Fisherwick in Staffordshire.
In 1765 [his brother-in-law] Robert Clements 1st Earl Leitrim (age 32) and [his sister] Elizabeth Skeffington Countess Leitrim were married. She the daughter of [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene and [his mother] Anne Eyre Countess Massereene (age 48).
Around 1769 Clotworthy Skeffington 2nd Earl Massereene (age 26) was imprisoned in For-l'Évêque in 1769/70 for having accrued huge debts of 15,000 or more French livre. He maintained a lavish lifestyle in the prison, entertaining fellow prisoners.
In 1780 Clotworthy Skeffington 2nd Earl Massereene (age 37) was transferred to La Force Prison when For-l'Évêque was closed.
In 1780 [his brother] Chichester Skeffington 4th Earl Massereene (age 34) and [his sister-in-law] Harriet Jocelyn were married. She the daughter of Robert Jocelyn 1st Earl Roden (age 48) and Anne Hamilton Countess Roden (age 50). He the son of [his father] Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene and [his mother] Anne Eyre Countess Massereene (age 63).
On 13th July 1789 Clotworthy Skeffington 2nd Earl Massereene (age 47) was freed when a mob freed the prisoners at La Force Prison a day before the Storming of the Bastille.
In 1795 [his brother-in-law] Robert Clements 1st Earl Leitrim (age 62) was created 1st Earl Leitrim. [his sister] Elizabeth Skeffington Countess Leitrim by marriage Countess Leitrim.
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.
On 28th February 1805 Clotworthy Skeffington 2nd Earl Massereene (age 63) died without issue. His brother [his brother] Henry (age 61) succeeded 3rd Earl Massereene, 7th Viscount Massereene, 7th Baron Lough Neagh, 9th Baronet Skeffington of Fisherwick in Staffordshire.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Skeffington 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Skeffington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dering
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Skeffington 2nd Viscount Massereene 
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Newdigate of Arbury in Warwickshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Newdigate
Great x 1 Grandfather: Clotworthy Skeffington 3rd Viscount Massereene
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Clotworthy 1st Viscount Massereene
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Clotworthy
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Jones 1st Viscount Ranelagh
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Jones
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Moore
GrandFather: Clotworthy Skeffington 4th Viscount Massereene 17 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Hungerford of Black Bourton 
13 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Hungerford 14 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sarah Crouch
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Hungerford 15 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rice Jones
Great x 3 Grandmother: Rachel Jones
Great x 1 Grandmother: Rachel Hungerford Viscountess Massereene 16 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hele
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Hele
Father: Clotworthy Skeffington 1st Earl Massereene 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Copleston
Great x 2 Grandfather: Arthur Chichester 2nd Earl Donegal 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Jones 1st Viscount Ranelagh
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Jones
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Moore
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arthur Chichester 3rd Earl Donegal 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Echingham of Dunroby
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Ichyngham of Dunbrody in Wexford
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Ichyngham Countess Donegall
GrandMother: Catherine Chichester Visountess Massereene 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Forbes of Corse
Great x 3 Grandfather: Arthur Forbes 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Arthur Forbes 1st Earl Granard
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Forbes
Clotworthy Skeffington 2nd Earl Massereene 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Henry Eyre of Row Tor in Derbyshire 
Mother: Anne Eyre Countess Massereene
Great x 3 Grandfather: Willoughby Hickman 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Hickman 2nd Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Willoughby Hickman 3rd Baronet
GrandMother: Elizabeth Hickman