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: Hicks
On 23rd October 1837 Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn was born to [his father] Michael Hicks-Beach 8th Baronet (age 27).
On 22nd November 1854 [his father] Michael Hicks-Beach 8th Baronet (age 45) died. His son Michael (age 17) succeeded 9th Baronet Hicks-Beach of Beverston in Gloucestershire.
On 3rd September 1874 Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 36) and Lucy Catherine Fortescue Countess St Aldwyn (age 23) were married at St Mary Magdalene Church South Molton, Devon. She the daughter of Hugh Fortescue 3rd Earl Fortescue (age 56) and Georgina Augusta Dawson-Damer Countess Fortescue.
. 1876. Lock and Whitfield. Photograph of Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 38).
On 19th January 1877 [his son] Michael Hugh Hicks-Beach was born to Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 39) and [his wife] Lucy Catherine Fortescue Countess St Aldwyn (age 26). He married 28th September 1909 Majorie Brocklehurst and had issue.
Around 1885. Bassano Ltd. Photograph of Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 47).
On 15th July 1886 [his brother-in-law] Hugh Fortescue 4th Earl Fortescue (age 32) and Emily Ormsby-Gore Countess Fortescue (age 26) were married. He the son of [his father-in-law] Hugh Fortescue 3rd Earl Fortescue (age 68) and Georgina Augusta Dawson-Damer Countess Fortescue. They were second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 10th October 1905 [his father-in-law] Hugh Fortescue 3rd Earl Fortescue (age 87) died. His son [his brother-in-law] Hugh (age 51) succeeded 4th Earl Fortescue, 4th Viscount Ebrington of Ebrington in Gloucestershire, 6th Baron Fortescue of Castle Hill.
1906. Arthur Stockdale Cope (age 48). Portrait of Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 68).
On 28th September 1909 [his son] Michael Hugh Hicks-Beach (age 32) and [his daughter-in-law] Majorie Brocklehurst (age 26) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. He the son of Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 71) and [his wife] Lucy Catherine Fortescue Countess St Aldwyn (age 58).
On 22nd February 1915 Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 77) was created 1st Earl St Aldwyn of Coln St Aldwyn in Gloucestershire. [his wife] Lucy Catherine Fortescue Countess St Aldwyn (age 64) by marriage Countess St Aldwyn of Coln St Aldwyn in Gloucestershire.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 23rd April 1916 [his son] Michael Hugh Hicks-Beach (age 39) died of wounds received at Katia in Egypt.
On 30th April 1916 Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn (age 78) died. His eldest son [his son] Michael Hugh Hicks-Beach (deceased) had predeceased by one week having been killed in action. His grandson [his grandson] Michael (age 3) succeeded 2nd Earl St Aldwyn of Coln St Aldwyn in Gloucestershire, 10th Baronet Hicks-Beach of Beverston in Gloucestershire.
On 19th March 1940 [his former wife] Lucy Catherine Fortescue Countess St Aldwyn (age 89) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 21 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 25 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 29 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Michael Hicks 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Howe Hicks 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Howe Hicks 6th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Michael Hicks-Beach 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Martha Browne Lady Hicks 
GrandFather: Michael Hicks-Beach 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Beach of Netheravon in Wiltshire
Great x 1 Grandmother: Henrietta Maria Beach
Father: Michael Hicks-Beach 8th Baronet 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Michael Edward Hicks-Beach 1st Earl St Aldwyn 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England