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: Lusignan
Maternal Family Tree: Helene du Donjon 1095-1189
On 24th August 1200 King John of England [aged 33] and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 12] were married. She had been engaged to [his grandfather] Hugh IX of Lusignan IV Count of La Marche [aged 37] who subsequently appealed to King Philip II of France [aged 35], their feudal overlord, who used the position to justify a war against John. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême [aged 40] and Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 78]. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 10th May 1220 [his father] Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 37] and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 32] were married. She by marriage Seigneur of Lusignan, Countess La Marche. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême and [his grandmother] Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême.
In 1221 Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême was born to [his father] Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 38] and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 33].
On 21st June 1221 [his brother-in-law] King Alexander II of Scotland [aged 22] and [his half-sister] Joan Plantagenet Queen of Scotland [aged 10] were married at York Minster [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. She the daughter of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 33]. He the son of King William I of Scotland and Ermengarde Beaumont Sarthe Queen Consort Scotland [aged 51]. They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 23rd April 1224 [his brother-in-law] William "The Younger" Marshal 2nd Earl Pembroke [aged 34] and [his half-sister] Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Pembroke and Leicester [aged 9] were married. She by marriage Countess Pembroke. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 36]. He the son of William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke and Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke. They were fifth cousins.
In 1225 [his half-brother] Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall [aged 15] was created 1st Earl Cornwall.
On 30th March 1231 [his half-brother] Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall [aged 22] and [his sister-in-law] Isabel Marshal Countess Cornwall, Gloucester and Hertford [aged 30] were married at Fawley, Lambourn. She by marriage Countess Cornwall. She the daughter of William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke and Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke. He the son of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 43]. They were fifth cousins.
In April 1231 Hawise Gernon 2nd Countess Lincoln [aged 51] succeeded 2nd Countess Lincoln. Robert Quincy Earl Lincoln by marriage Earl Lincoln. She was gifted the title by her childless brother Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 61] by agreement with [his half-brother] King Henry III of England [aged 23].
Before 1235 Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 13] and Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 15] were married. She the daughter of Peter of Dreux aka Mauclerc Duke Brittany [aged 47] and Alix Thouars Duchess of Brittany. He the son of Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 51] and Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 46]. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Around 1235 [his son] Hugh XII of Lusignan VII Count of La Marche III Count Angoulême was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 14] and [his wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 16]. He married 29th January 1254 Jeanne Fougères Countess Lusignan Countess La Marche and Angoulême and had issue.
On 20th July 1235 [his brother-in-law] Frederick I King Jerusalem II Holy Roman Emperor [aged 40] and [his half-sister] Isabella Plantagenet Holy Roman Empress [aged 21] were married at Worms Cathedral [Map]. She the daughter of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 47]. He the son of Henry Hohenstaufen VI Holy Roman Emperor. They were fourth cousin once removed.
In 1236 [his brother-in-law] John "The Red" Capet I Duke Brittany [aged 18] and Blanche "Navarre" Blois Duchess Brittany [aged 10] were married. She the daughter of Theobald IV King Navarre [aged 34] and Agnes of Beaujeu Countess Savoy. He the son of [his father-in-law] Peter of Dreux aka Mauclerc Duke Brittany [aged 49] and Alix Thouars Duchess of Brittany. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
After 1236 [his daughter] Alice or Alix Lusignan Countess Gloucester and Hertford was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 15] and [his wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 17]. She married 1253 her half fifth cousin Gilbert "Red Earl" Clare 7th Earl Gloucester 6th Earl Hertford, son of Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford and Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford, and had issue.
On 14th January 1236 [his half-brother] King Henry III of England [aged 28] and [his sister-in-law] Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England [aged 13] were married at Canterbury Cathedral [Map] by Archbishop Edmund Rich [aged 61]. She the daughter of Raymond IV Count Provence [aged 38] and Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence [aged 38]. He the son of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 48]. They were fourth cousins.
In 1238 [his brother-in-law] Simon de Montfort 6th Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Chester [aged 30] and [his half-sister] Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Pembroke and Leicester [aged 23] were married at Westminster Palace [Map]. She by marriage Countess of Leicester. She the daughter of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 50]. He the son of Simon "Elder" Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester and Alix Montmorency. They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 4th March 1238 [his half-sister] Joan Plantagenet Queen of Scotland [aged 27] died at Havering atte Bower, Essex [Map]. She was buried at Tarrant Abbey, Dorset [Map].
In 1240 [his brother] Bishop Aymer de Valence [aged 18] was appointed Bishop of Winchester.
On 27th June 1241 Gilbert Marshal 4th Earl Pembroke [aged 44] was killed in a tournament at Ware, Hertfordshire [Map]. He was buried at Temple Church, London [Map] next to his father. His brother Walter [aged 42] succeeded 5th Earl Pembroke; he had also attended the tournament. The King [his half-brother] King Henry III of England [aged 33] had expressly forbidden the tournament leading to anger at his disobeying the King's orders.
In 1242 [his daughter] Mary or Marie Lusignan Countess Derby was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 21] and [his wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 23]. She married 1249 her fourth cousin Robert Ferrers 6th Earl of Derby, son of William Ferrers 5th Earl of Derby and Margaret Quincy Countess Derby.
On 21st July 1242 the forces of [his half-brother] King Henry III of England [aged 34] and Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 21] fought against the forces of at King Louis IX of France [aged 28] and his brother Alphonse Count Poitiers II Count Toulouse [aged 21] at Taillebourg [Map] during the Battle of Taillebourg. The battle was a decisive victory for the French. Henry thereafter signed a five-year truce with the French.
In 1243 [his brother-in-law] Raymond Rouerge VII Count Toulouse [aged 45] and [his sister] Margaret Lusignan Countess Toulouse [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Countess Toulouse. The difference in their ages was 28 years. She the daughter of [his father] Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 60] and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 55]. He the son of Raymond Count of Toulouse and Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily. They were second cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 23rd November 1243 [his half-brother] Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall [aged 34] and [his sister-in-law] Sanchia Provence Queen Consort Germany [aged 15] were married at Westminster Abbey [Map]. She by marriage Countess Cornwall. She the daughter of Raymond IV Count Provence [aged 45] and Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence [aged 45]. He the son of King John of England and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 55]. They were fourth cousins.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 4th June 1246 [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England [aged 58] died at Fontevraud Abbey [Map]. Her son Hugh [aged 25] succeeded II Count Angoulême. [his wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 27] by marriage Countess Angoulême.
In 1247 [his brother] William de Valence 1st Earl Pembroke was created 1st Earl Pembroke. [his sister-in-law] Joan Munchensi Countess Pembroke [aged 17] by marriage Countess Pembroke.
In 1247 [his brother-in-law] John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey [aged 16] and [his sister] Alice Lusignan Countess of Surrey [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Surrey. She the daughter of [his father] Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 64] and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England. He the son of William Warenne 5th Earl of Surrey and Maud Marshal Countess Norfolk and Surrey [aged 53]. They were fifth cousins.
In 1247 [his brother] William de Valence 1st Earl Pembroke and [his sister-in-law] Joan Munchensi Countess Pembroke [aged 17] were married. He the son of [his father] Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 64] and [his mother] Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England.
In 1248 [his daughter] Isabelle Lusignan was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 27] and [his wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 29].
In 1249 [his son-in-law] Robert Ferrers 6th Earl of Derby [aged 10] and Mary or Marie Lusignan Countess Derby [aged 7] were married. She the daughter of Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 28] and Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 30]. He the son of William Ferrers 5th Earl of Derby [aged 56] and Margaret Quincy Countess Derby. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 5th June 1249 [his father] Hugh X of Lusignan V Count La Marche [aged 66] died. His son Hugh [aged 28] succeeded XI Seigneur of Lusignan, VI Count La Marche. [his wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 30] by marriage Seigneur of Lusignan, Countess La Marche.
On 6th April 1250 Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême [aged 29] died. His son Hugh [aged 15] succeeded XII Seigneur of Lusignan, VII Count La Marche, III Count Angoulême.
In 1272 [his former wife] Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême [aged 53] died.
[his daughter] Yolande Lusignan was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême and Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême.
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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[his son] Guy Lusignan was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême and Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême.
[his son] Geoffrey Lusignan was born to Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême and Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême.
Kings Wessex: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 10 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
King Richard III of England [1]
Anne Neville Queen Consort England [1]
Queen Anne Boleyn of England [1]
Queen Catherine Howard of England [1]
Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [1]
Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland [1]
King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [2]
Maximilian "The Great" Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria I Elector Bavaria [1]
Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress [1]
Marie de Medici Queen Consort France [1]
Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [2]
George Wharton [13]
Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain [2]
Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress [2]
John George Wettin Elector Saxony [1]
Frederick William "Great Elector" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg [1]
Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia [2]
Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia [2]
Hedwig Eleonora Queen Consort Sweden [1]
Charlotte Amalie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [1]
Louise of Mecklenburg Güstrow Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [1]
Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain [2]
Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor [2]
Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor [2]
Adolph Frederick King Sweden [1]
King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [2]
Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England [1]
Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [2]
Marie Sophie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [3]
Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England [2]
Frederick William III King Prussia [1]
Frederica Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort Hanover [2]
Queen Fredrika Dorotea Vilhelmina [2]
King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark [3]
Frederick William IV King Prussia [2]
Frederick VII King of Denmark [5]
Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark [6]
King Christian IX of Denmark [3]
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [4]
Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway [5]
Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia [11]
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom [11]
Maria Christina of Austria Queen Consort Spain [3]
Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [49]
Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England [6]
Frederick Charles I King Finland [6]
Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark [8]
Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain [14]
Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden [17]
Ingrid Bernadotte Queen Consort Denmark [13]
Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh [20]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [200]
Carl XVI King Sweden [27]
Queen Consort Camilla Shand [84]
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh "Devil" VI of Lusignan I Count of La Marche 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh "Brown" VII of Lusignan II Count of La Marche
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hildegarde Thouars Countess Lusignan and La Marche
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh VIII of Lusignan
Great x 3 Grandmother: Saracine Lezay Countess Lusignan and La Marche
Great x 1 Grandfather: Hugh Lusignan
Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffroy de Rancon Taillebourg
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bourgogne Dame de Fontenay Taillebourg Countess Lusignan
GrandFather: Hugh IX of Lusignan IV Count of La Marche
Hugh XI of Lusignan VI Count of La Marche II Count Angoulême
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulk Angoulême I Count Angoulême
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Angoulême V Count Angoulême
Great x 2 Grandfather: Wulfgrin Angoulême II Count Angoulême
Great x 3 Grandmother: Vitapoy Benauges Countess Angoulême
Great x 1 Grandfather: William "Taillefer" Angoulême VI Count Angoulême
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger "The Great" Montgomery 1st Earl of Shrewsbury
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger "The Poitevin" Montgomery Viscount Hiemois
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mabel de Bellême
Great x 2 Grandmother: Pontia La Marche Countess Angoulême
Great x 4 Grandfather: Aldebert La Marche II Count La Marche
Great x 3 Grandmother: Almodis La Marche
GrandFather: Aymer Angoulême I Count Angoulême
Mother: Isabella of Angoulême Queen Consort England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry I King of the Franks 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia
Great x 2 Grandfather: Louis VI King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Floris Gerulfing I Count Holland 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gertrude Billung Countess Holland
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter Courtenay
Great x 4 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I Count Burgundy 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy
GrandMother: Alice Courtenay Countess Angoulême
Great x 4 Grandfather: Joscelin Courtenay 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Miles Courtenay
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elisabeth Montlhéry
Great x 2 Grandfather: Renaud Courtenay
Great x 4 Grandfather: Renaud II Count Nevers and Count Auxerre
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ermengarde of Nevers
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida of Forez
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Courtenay
Great x 2 Grandmother: Helene du Donjon