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: Amherst
Before 14th January 1773 [his father] William Amherst [aged 40] and [his mother] Elizabeth Patterson were married.
On 14th January 1773 William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst was born to [his father] William Amherst [aged 40] and [his mother] Elizabeth Patterson at Bath, Somerset [Map].
In 1778 Other Windsor 5th Earl Plymouth [aged 26] and [his future wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Countess Plymouth. He the son of Other Lewis Windsor 4th Earl Plymouth and Catherine Archer Countess Plymouth [aged 41]. They were first cousins.
On 13th May 1781 [his father] William Amherst [aged 49] died.
The London Gazette 13020. Whitehall, August 30 [1788]. THE King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the Kingdom of Great Britain to the Right Honourable John Griffin [aged 69], Lord Howard of Walden, Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and General of His Majesty's Forces, and to the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile and Title of Lord Braybrooke, Baron of Braybrooke, in the County of Northampton; with Remainder to Richard Aldworth Neville [aged 70], of Billingbear, in the County of Berks, Esq; and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten.
The King has also been pleased to grant the like Dignity of a Baron of the Kingdom of Great Britain to the Right Honourable [his uncle] Jeffery Lord Amherst [aged 71], Knight of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, and General of His Majesty's Forces, and to the Heirs Male of His Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile and Title of 1st Baron Amherst, of Montreal in the County of Kent; with Remainder to his Nephew William Pitt Amherst [aged 15], Esq; and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten. [Note. This was the second time Jeffrey Amherst had been created Baron Amherst. The first creation had no special remainder and would become extinct on his death since he had no children. This second creation had a special remainder to his nephew William Pitt Amherst to ensure the Barony would continue; William Pitt Amherst would subsequently be created Earl Amherst. Mary Cary Baroness Amherst by marriage Baroness Amherst of Montreal in Kent.]
On 3rd August 1797 [his uncle] Jeffrey Amherst 1st Baron Amherst [aged 80] died. Baron Amherst of Holmesdale in Kent extinct. His nephew William [aged 24] succeeded 2nd Baron Amherst of Montreal in Kent.
In 1800 William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 26] and Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 38] were married.
On 9th July 1801 [his daughter] Sarah Elizabeth Amherst was born to William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 28] and [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 39]. She married 1842 John Hay-Williams 2nd Baronet, son of John Williams 1st Baronet and Margaret Williams Lady Williams.
In 1802 [his son] Jeffrey Amherst was born to William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 28] and [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 40].
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1803 Arthur William Devis [aged 40]. Portrait of William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 29].
On 30th September 1805 [his son] William Amherst 2nd Earl Amherst was born to William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 32] and [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 43]. He married 1834 his third cousin once removed Gertrude Percy Countess Amherst, daughter of Bishop Hugh Percy and Mary Manners Sutton, and had issue.
In 1807 [his son] Frederick Amherst was born to William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 33].
In 1811 Arthur Blundell Sandys Trumbull Hill 3rd Marquess Downshire [aged 22] and [his step-daughter] Maria Windsor Marchioness Downshire [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Marchioness Downshire. She the daughter of Other Windsor 5th Earl Plymouth and [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 49]. He the son of Arthur Hill 2nd Marquess Downshire and Mary Sandys Marchioness Downshire [aged 46]. They were half third cousins.
On 5th August 1811 [his step-son] Other Archer Windsor 6th Earl Plymouth [aged 22] and [his future wife] Mary Sackville Countess Plymouth Amherst [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Plymouth. She the daughter of John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset and Arabella Diana Cope 3rd Duchess Dorset [aged 42]. He the son of Other Windsor 5th Earl Plymouth and Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 49].
In 1819 Robert Henry Herbert [aged 29] and [his step-daughter] Harriet Windsor [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of Other Windsor 5th Earl Plymouth and [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 57]. He the son of Edward Clive 1st Earl Powis [aged 64] and Henrietta Antonia Herbert 3rd Countess Powis [aged 60].
In 1826 William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 52] was created 1st Earl Amherst. [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 64] by marriage Countess Amherst.
In 1826 [his son] Jeffrey Amherst [aged 24] died.
In 1829 [his son] Frederick Amherst [aged 22] died.
On 20th July 1833 [his step-son] Other Archer Windsor 6th Earl Plymouth [aged 44] died aboard his yacht at Deptford, Kent [Map]. His uncle Andrew [aged 69] succeeded 7th Earl Plymouth. Baron Windsor of Stanwell in Buckinghamshire abeyant between his daughters [his step-daughter] Maria Windsor Marchioness Downshire [aged 43] and Harriet Windsor [aged 35].
In 1834 William Amherst 2nd Earl Amherst [aged 28] and Gertrude Percy Countess Amherst [aged 19] were married. She the daughter of Bishop Hugh Percy [aged 49] and Mary Manners Sutton. He the son of William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 60] and Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 72]. They were third cousin once removed.
In May 1838 [his wife] Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst [aged 76] died.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1839 William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 65] and Mary Sackville Countess Plymouth Amherst [aged 46] were married. She by marriage Countess Amherst. She the daughter of John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset and Arabella Diana Cope 3rd Duchess Dorset.
In 1842 [his son-in-law] John Hay-Williams 2nd Baronet [aged 47] and Sarah Elizabeth Amherst [aged 40] were married. She the daughter of William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 68] and Sarah Archer Countess Plymouth and Amherst.
On 13th March 1857 William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst [aged 84] died at Knole House, Sevenoaks. His son William [aged 51] succeeded 2nd Earl Amherst, 3rd Baron Amherst of Montreal in Kent. Gertrude Percy Countess Amherst [aged 42] by marriage Countess Amherst.
On 20th July 1864 [his former wife] Mary Sackville Countess Plymouth Amherst [aged 71] died.
GrandFather: Jeffrey Amherst
Father: William Amherst
William Pitt Amherst 1st Earl Amherst
Mother: Elizabeth Patterson