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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In 1839 Annie Hardie was born at Kelso.
On 28th April 1860 [her future husband] James Forsyth [aged 32] and Eliza Hastie [aged 26] were married.
1861. Census. Annie Hardie [aged 22]. Daughter. 22. Milliner. 3 Union Street.
Before 2nd April 1868 [her illegitimate daughter] Eliza Forsyth was born illegitimately to [her future husband] James Forsyth [aged 40] and Annie Hardie [aged 29]. She was baptised on the same day 26th September 1869 as her elder brother and sister. Given that she was three on the date of the 1871 Census 2nd April 1871 it suggests she was illegitimate since her parents married on 7th November 1868.
On 7th November 1868 James Forsyth [aged 40] and Annie Hardie [aged 29] were married.
2nd April 1871. Census. 8 Edward Street, St Pancras.
[her husband] James Forsyth [aged 43]. 43. Sculptor.
Annie Hardie [aged 32]. 32.
[her step-son] James Nesfield Forsyth [aged 7]. Son. 7. Scholar.
Agnes Ellen Forsyth [aged 5]. Daughter. 5. Scholar.
[her illegitimate daughter] Eliza Forsyth [aged 3]. Daughter. 3.
[her son] William Adam Forsyth. Son. 8. Scholar.
Agnes m Forsyth. Mother. 66. No occupation.
Mary Blackall. Servant. 16.
In 1873 [her son] William Adam Forsyth was born to [her husband] James Forsyth [aged 45] and Annie Hardie [aged 34].
In 1875 [her son] John Dudley Forsyth was born to [her husband] James Forsyth [aged 47] and Annie Hardie [aged 36].
In 1876 [her daughter] Annie Fosyth was born to [her husband] James Forsyth [aged 48] and Annie Hardie [aged 37].
In 1878 [her daughter] Jessie Forsyth was born to [her husband] James Forsyth [aged 50] and Annie Hardie [aged 39]
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.
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1881. Census. 8 Edward Street, St Pancras.
[her husband] James Forsyth [aged 53]. 53. Sculptor.
Annie Hardie [aged 42]. 42.
[her step-son] James Nesfield Forsyth [aged 17]. Son. 17. Sculptor.
Agnes Ellen Forsyth [aged 15]. Daughter. 15. Dressmaker.
[her illegitimate daughter] Eliza Forsyth [aged 12]. Daughter. 13. Scholar.
[her son] William Adam Forsyth [aged 8]. Son. 8. Scholar.
John Dudley Forsyth [aged 6]. Son. 6. Scholar.
Annie Fosyth [aged 5]. Daughter. 5. Scholar.
Jessie Forsyth [aged 3]. Daughter. 3.
Agnes m Forsyth. Mother. 77. No occupation.
Adam Forsyth. Nephew.
Adelaide Stansell. 21. Servant
Fanny Dann. Servant.
1891. Census. Ednam House
[her husband] James Forsyth [aged 63]. 63. Sculptor.
Annie Hardie [aged 52]. 52.
[her step-son] James Nesfield Forsyth [aged 27]. Son. 27. Sculptor.
Agnes Ellen Forsyth [aged 25]. Daughter. 25. Dressmaker.
[her illegitimate daughter] Eliza Forsyth [aged 22]. Daughter. 23. Scholar.
[her son] William Adam Forsyth [aged 18]. Son. 18. Pupil Architect.
John Dudley Forsyth [aged 16]. Son. 16. Pupil Artist.
Annie Fosyth [aged 15]. Daughter. 15. Scholar.
Jessie Forsyth [aged 13]. Daughter. 13.
Emma Harrison Servant. 16. General Domestic Servant.
Agnes m Forsyth. Mother. 86. Living on own means.
On 3rd February 1910 [her husband] James Forsyth [aged 82] died. He was buried at Hampstead Cemetery.