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 or before 1752 [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 24) and [his mother] Diana Bullock were married.
In 1752 General William Loftus was born to [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 25) and [his mother] Diana Bullock at Raynham Hall, Norfolk. He was baptised at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map].
Around 1770 [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 43) puchased a commission for his son General William Loftus (age 18) in Ireland in the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, which was deployed to North America in 1775, where he saw action in the American War of Independence.
On 10th April 1775 General William Loftus (age 23) embarked at Cork [Map] for Boston, Massachusetts. He arrived on 24th May 1775.
On 17th June 1775 the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought as part of the siege of Boston, Massachusetts.
General William Loftus (age 23) took part.
On 18th February 1778 General William Loftus (age 26) and Margaret King were married.
Around 1783 [his son] Lt General William Francis Bentinck Loftus was born to General William Loftus (age 31) and [his wife] Margaret King.
On 4th May 1786 [his wife] Margaret King died.
On 7th May 1790 General William Loftus (age 38) and Elizabeth Townshend were married. She the daughter of George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend (age 66) and Charlotte Compton 16th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 7th Baroness Compton.
In 1792 [his father] Captain Henry Loftus (age 65) died.
In 1796 General William Loftus (age 44) was promoted to major-general, and lieutenant-general in 1803 and full general in 1813.
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 17th August 1797 George William Frederick Osborne 6th Duke Leeds (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Charlotte Townshend Duchess Leeds (age 21) were married. She by marriage Baroness Darcy of Knayth, Baroness Conyers. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend (age 73) and Anne Montgomery Marchioness Townshend (age 45). He the son of Francis Osborne 5th Duke Leeds (age 46) and Amelia Darcy 12th Baroness Darcy 9th Baroness Conyers. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.
On 31st January 1799 Francis Osborne 5th Duke Leeds (age 48) died. His son George (age 23) succeeded 6th Duke Leeds, 6th Earl of Danby, 6th Viscount Osborne, 6th Viscount Latimer, 6th Baron Osborne of Kinderton, 7th Baronet Osborne of Kiveton. [his sister-in-law] Charlotte Townshend Duchess Leeds (age 22) by marriage Duchess Leeds.
In 1807 General William Loftus (age 55) was appointed Governor of Dumbarton Castle [Map] which position he held until 1810.
On 14th September 1807 [his father-in-law] George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend (age 83) died. His son [his brother-in-law] George (age 54) succeeded 2nd Marquess Townshend, 5th Viscount Townsend, 5th Baron Townshend of Lynn Regis in Norfolk, 7th Baronet Townshend.
In 1810 General William Loftus (age 58) was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London.
On 21st March 1811 [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend died.
In 1821 General William Loftus (age 69) was appointed Colonel of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) which position he held for life.
On 15th July 1831 General William Loftus (age 79) died at his home at Wimpole Street, Marylebone. He was buried in the Townshend family vault Raynham Hall, Norfolk on 23rd July 1831.
Before 1898. Memorial to General William Loftus and [his former wife] Elizabeth Townshend at the Church of St Mary, East Raynham [Map] sculpted by George Gammon Adams (age 76).
Elizabeth Townshend: Around 1767 she was born to George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend and Charlotte Compton 16th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 7th Baroness Compton. On 7th May 1790 General William Loftus and she were married. She the daughter of George Townshend 1st Marquess Townshend and Charlotte Compton 16th Baroness Ferrers Chartley 7th Baroness Compton. On 21st March 1811 Elizabeth Townshend died.
[his daughter] Charlotte Elizabeth Loftus was born to General William Loftus and Elizabeth Townshend. She married before 5th November 1853 her first cousin Charles Vere Ferrers Townshend, son of George Townshend 2nd Marquess Townshend and Charlotte Mainwaring Ellerker Countess of Leicester.
Father: Captain Henry Loftus 
GrandFather: William Bullock of Sturston Hall in Norfolk
Mother: Diana Bullock