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: Malet
In or before September 1593 [his father] John Malet and [his mother] Mary Popham were married.
Around September 1593 John Malet was born to [his father] John Malet and [his mother] Mary Popham.
In or before 1615 John Malet (age 21) and Ann Tracy were married.
In 1615 [his son] John Malet was born to John Malet (age 21) and [his wife] Ann Tracy. He married in or before 1651 Unton Hawley, daughter of Francis Hawley 1st Baron Hawley and Jane Gibbes Baroness Hawley, and had issue.
In 1615 [his father] John Malet died.
In 1616 John Malet (age 22) was appointed Governor of Huish's Almshouses.
From 1621 to 1625 John Malet (age 27) was Justice of the Peace for Somerset.
In 1624 John Malet (age 30) was elected MP Bath.
On or before 10th April 1644, the date he was buried at Bath Abbey [Map], where he has a monument, John Malet (age 50) died.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 1670 [his former wife] Ann Tracy died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Thomas Malet
Father: John Malet
John Malet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander Popham of Huntworth in Somerset
GrandFather: John Popham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stradling 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stradling 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Herbert 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stradling 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane aka Joan Stradling 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Arundell 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Arundell 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Chideocke 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Arundell 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Dynham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Dinham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Arches
Mother: Mary Popham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England