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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1857. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of William Morris (age 22).
Around 1864. Unknown Photographer. Jane Morris nee Burden (age 24) and Jane Alicia Morris (age 2).
Around 1865. Unknown Photographer. Jane Morris nee Burden (age 25) and Jane Alicia Morris (age 3).
Around 1865 . Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Thomas Woolner (age 39).
After 19th September 1870. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Julia Prinsep Jackson (age 24) in mourning.
1873. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Julia Prinsep Jackson (age 26) in mourning with her daughter Stella.
After 1875 From: The London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. Photograph of Philip Richard Morris (age 38).
1882 or 1883. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of John White Alexander (age 25).
Around 1883. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Paul César Helleu (age 23).
Around 1883. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of John Jackson (age 79).
John Jackson: In 1804 he was born to George Jackson and Mary Howard of Bengal. On 17th January 1837 he and Maria "Mia" Theodosia Pattle were married at Calcutta, India. In 1887 he died.
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.
1889-1891. Philip Richard Morris A.R.A., ca.1889-1891. Photograph of Philip Richard Morris (age 52). From the Book "Members And Associates Of The Royal Academy Of Arts 1891 Photographed In Their Studios" By Ralph W. Robinson Of Redhill - [London] 1892.
1891Unknown Photographer. Photograph of John Townshend 6th Marquess Townshend (age 24) in 'The Marchioness Townshend of Raynham, It Was – And it Wasn’t'.
1891. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Consuelo Yznaga Duchess Manchester (age 38).
1893. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Katherine Mary "Kitty" Hare Marchioness Downshire (age 20).
1894. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Romaine Brooks aka Goddard (age 19).
Between 1900 and 1905. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Consuelo Vanderbilt Duchess of Marlborough (age 22).
Around 1900. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Henry Cyril "Toppy" Paget 5th Marquess Anglesey (age 24).
Around 1900. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Henry Cyril "Toppy" Paget 5th Marquess Anglesey (age 24).
After 1900. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Henry Cyril "Toppy" Paget 5th Marquess Anglesey (age 24).
1901. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Evelyn Grace Foster Marchioness Downshire.
1903. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Ernest William Beckett 2nd Baron Grimthorpe (age 46).
3rd November 1909. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Mary "May" Morris (age 47).
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1910. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Maud Windsor Queen Consort Norway (age 40).
Around 1910. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Consuelo Vanderbilt Duchess of Marlborough (age 32).
1911. Unknown Photographer. Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer (age 18) on his horse "Maybury" in front of Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map].
1915. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Desmond Fitzgerald (age 26).
Before 13th May 1915. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Clement Freeman-Mitford (age 38).
His death occurred in heroic circumstances, during an attack made by the 10th Hussars that also resulted in the deaths of the CO Lt-Col Shearman and Captain Gerald Stewart. Clem, as he was called by his fellow officers, lived at Batsford Park, Moreton-in-Marsh.
1916. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Evelyn Grace Foster Marchioness Downshire.
1922. Harris & Ewing, Inc.. Photograph of Simon Elwes (age 19) leaving the White House after completing sketches of President Harding.
1924. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Howard Carter (age 49).
Around 1925. Rita Martin. Photograph of Mimi Crawford (age 27).
Around 1925. Lenare. Photograph of Mimi Crawford (age 27).
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.
1927. Sasha aka Alexander Stewart. Photograph of Mimi Crawford (age 29).
24th June 1927. Sasha aka Alexander Stewart. Photograph of Mimi Crawford (age 29).
Around 1930. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Cecil Beaton (age 25) and his sisters Barbara "Baba" Beaton (age 17) and Nancy Beaton (age 20) arriving at an Eton.
Nancy Beaton: On 30th September 1909 she was born to Ernest Beaton and Esther "Etty" Sisson. In January 1933 Hugh Houston Smiley 3rd Baronet and she were married. The eight bridesmaids included the bride's sister Barbara "Baba" Beaton, Margaret Whigham, Lady Bridget Poulett, and Lady Anne Wellesley On 6th June 1999 Nancy Beaton died.
1938. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of debutante Sarah Norton (age 17).
January 1938. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of Thelma Morgan Viscountess Furness (age 33), Dorothé Mabel Lewis (age 38), a month before she died, and Patrick Plunket 7th Baron Plunket (age 14).
Dorothé Mabel Lewis: In 1900 she was born illegitimately to Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry and Fanny Ward aka Buchanan. On 24th February 1938 husband and wife Terence Plunket 6th Baron Plunket and Dorothé Mabel Lewis died in a plane crash. They were bound for the Hearst ranch at San Simeon, now known as Hearst Castle. In the coastal fog surrounding the airstrip on the ranch, the pilot overshot the field by nearly a mile and a half. One wing struck the ground, causing the plane to burst into flames and crash. James Lawrence was the only survivor, having been thrown clear of the plane. He suffered burns and a broken ankle. Her son Patrick succeeded 7th Baron Plunket of Newtown in County Cork. Their children were subsequently were raised by Lord Plunket's sister, The Helen Rhodes, and her husband, Arthur Rhodes.
Patrick Plunket 7th Baron Plunket: On 8th September 1923 he was born to Terence Plunket 6th Baron Plunket and Dorothé Mabel Lewis. On 19th December 1961 David Armstrong-Jones 2nd Earl of Snowdon was baptised in the Music Room, Buckingham Palace. His godparents were Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth Cavendish, Patrick Plunket 7th Baron Plunket, Rupert Charles Montacute Neville and Bishop Simon Phipps. On 28th May 1975 Patrick Plunket 7th Baron Plunket died. His brother Robin succeeded 8th Baron Plunket of Newtown in County Cork.
Around 1942. Unknown Photographer. Navy file photo of Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (age 26) from JFK Presidential Library & Museum.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy: On 25th July 1915 he was born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald. On 12th August 1944 Joseph Patrick Kennedy was killed at Blythburgh, Suffolk when his plane exploded over the English Channel during a top-secret mission.