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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On 31st October 1864 Archbishop Cosmo Gordon Lang was born.
In 1908 Archbishop Cosmo Gordon Lang (age 43) was elected Archbishop of York.
On 26th July 1928 Archbishop Cosmo Gordon Lang (age 63) was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury.
On 4th December 1928 Archbishop Cosmo Gordon Lang (age 64) was enthroned Archbishop of Canterbury.
On 30th October 1930 Princess Margaret was baptised at the Chapel Buckingham Palace by Archbishop Cosmo Gordon Lang (age 65). Her aunt Rose Constance Bowes-Lyon Countess Granville (age 40) was godmother.
On 5th December 1945 Archbishop Cosmo Gordon Lang (age 81) died.