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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Paternal Family Tree: Evelyn
Elizabeth Evelyn was born to [her father] John Evelyn of Wiltshire and [her mother] Elizabeth Coxe.
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd July 1649. I went from Wotton, Surrey [Map] to Godstone, Surrey (the residence of Sir John Evelyn (age 58)), where was also [her father] Sir John Evelyn of Wilts. (age 47), when I took leave of both Sir Johns and their ladies. Mem. the prodigious memory of Sir John of Wilts' daughter, since married to Mr. W. Pierrepont [Note. Mr R Pierrepoint], and mother of the present [her son] Earl of Kingston. I returned to Sayes Court, Deptford [Map] this night.
Around 1655 [her son] Evelyn Pierrepont 1st Duke Kingston upon Hull was born to Robert Pierrepont and Elizabeth Evelyn. He married (1) 1687 Mary Fielding Countess Kingston upon Hull, daughter of William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh and Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh, and had issue (2) 2nd August 1714 Isabella Bentinck Duchess Kingston upon Hull, daughter of William Bentinck 1st Earl of Portland and Anne Villiers Countess Portland, and had issue.
Around 1660 [her son] Robert Pierrepont 3rd Earl Kingston was born to Robert Pierrepont and Elizabeth Evelyn.
Around 1662 [her son] William Pierrepont 4th Earl Kingston was born to Robert Pierrepont and Elizabeth Evelyn at West Dean, Wiltshire [Map]. He married 1685 Anne, daughter of Robert Greville 4th Baron Brooke and Ann Dodington Baroness Brooke.
Before 26th September 1662 [her brother-in-law] John Wray 3rd Baronet (age 43) and [her sister] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 20) were married. She by marriage Lady Wray of Glentworth in Lincolnshire. The difference in their ages was 22 years.
Around 1665 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Fanshawe 2nd Viscount Fanshawe (age 33) and [her sister] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 23) were married.
On 30th March 1665 Thomas Fanshawe 1st Viscount Fanshawe (age 69) died. His son [her brother-in-law] Thomas (age 33) succeeded 2nd Viscount Fanshawe. [her sister] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 23) by marriage Viscountess Fanshawe.
After 1674 [her brother-in-law] George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton (age 42) and [her sister] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 32) were married. His second wife, her third husband. She by marriage Viscountess Castleton.
In June 1682 [her son] Robert Pierrepont 3rd Earl Kingston (age 22) died at Dieppe, Seine Maritime, Haute Normandie. He was buried at the Church of St Edmund, Holme Pierrepoint [Map]. His brother [her son] William (age 20) succeeded 4th Earl Kingston upon Hull, 4th Viscount Newark, 4th Baron Pierrepont of Holme Pierrepoint.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1685 [her son] William Pierrepont 4th Earl Kingston (age 23) and [her daughter-in-law] Anne (age 12) were married. She by marriage Countess Kingston upon Hull.
On 26th June 1685 [her father] John Evelyn of Wiltshire (age 83) died. He left his daughter [her sister] Sarah Evelyn Viscountess Fanshawe and Castleton (age 43) only five shillings in his will since he disapproved of her marriage with [her brother-in-law] George Saunderson 5th Viscount Castleton (age 53).
In 1687 [her son] Evelyn Pierrepont 1st Duke Kingston upon Hull (age 32) and [her daughter-in-law] Mary Fielding Countess Kingston upon Hull (age 19) were married. She the daughter of William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh and Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th June 1687. I visited my Lady Pierpoint, daughter to [her father] Sir John Evelyn, of Deane [in Wilts], now widow of Mr. Pierpoint, and mother of the [her son] Earl of Kingston. She was now engaged in the marriage of my cousin, [her son] Evelyn Pierpoint (age 32), her second son.
On 17th September 1690 [her son] William Pierrepont 4th Earl Kingston (age 28) died at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He was buried at the Church of St Edmund, Holme Pierrepoint [Map]. His brother [her son] Evelyn (age 35) succeeded 5th Earl Kingston upon Hull, 5th Viscount Newark, 5th Baron Pierrepont of Holme Pierrepoint. [her daughter-in-law] Mary Fielding Countess Kingston upon Hull (age 22) by marriage Countess Kingston upon Hull.
Around January 1699 Elizabeth Evelyn died at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st January 1699. My cousin Pierrepoint died. She was daughter to [her father] Sir John Evelyn, of Wilts, my father's nephew; she was widow to William Pierrepoint, brother to the Marquis of Dorchester, and mother to [her son] Evelyn Pierrepoint, Earl of Kingston (age 44); a most excellent and prudent lady.
In or before 1660 Robert Pierrepont and Elizabeth Evelyn were married.
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Kingston
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Evelyn of Long Ditton
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Godstone
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Williams
Great x 2 Grandmother: Rose Williams
GrandFather: George Evelyn of West Dean
Father: John Evelyn of Wiltshire
GrandFather: Robert Coxe
Mother: Elizabeth Coxe