William I Marshal, b. 1146 in Rockley, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, d. 14 May 1219 in Caversham, Henley, Oxfordshire, England, buried aft. 14 May 1219 in Temple Church, London, Middlesex, England

Father: John "the Marshal" Fitzgilbert, b. ABT 1105 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 1164 in Newbury Castle, Wiltshire, England
Mother: Sibilla (Sibyl) de Salisbury, b. ABT 1139 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 3 June
William was knighted in 1167, and was travelling with his uncle Patrick, Earl of Salisbury, and Queen Eleanor near the castle Lusignan. The Lusignan brothers attacked and killed Patrick, who was unarmed. William was wounded and taken prisoner while defending the Queen's retreat into the castle, and trying to avenge his uncle's murder. He was ransomed by Queen Eleanor. William was appointed head of the military household in 1170. From then until the death of the young Prince Henry (whom William knighted in 1173) in 1183, William established his status as an undefeated knight of the tournaments. He fought in 500 matches and never lost. After Prince Henry's death, William took his cross to the Holy Land and joined the Crusades with King Guy of Jerusalem and the Templar Knights.

King Richard I gave William to wife Isabel de Clare. Upon this marriage William inherited all the lands which had been held by Richard Strongbow de Clare, Isabel's father, including Pembroke and Striguil, and the Lordship of Leinster in Ireland.

King John wrongly accused William of treason and began seizing his castles. William refused to fight John, as that would break his oath of fealty. When a bishop persuaded King John to expell his foreign advisors, John realised the error of his ways and restored William's lands to him. Upon John's death in 1216, William was chosen by his peers to act as Regent for young Henry III, who was nine years old. Henry was knighted and crowned under the seal of the Earl of Pembroke.

William served as Marshal of the Royal Household under four kings: Henry II, Richard I "the Lionheart", John Lackland, and Henry III.

It was said that William took two manors that the Bishop of Ferns could not get back. Some years after William's death the Bishop placed a curse on William's family that none of his sons would have children. Each of William's sons became Earl of Pembroke and Marshall of England, but all died without issue.

In one of her essays on William Marshal, Catherine Armstrong says," William might have inherited some of the physical strength and knowledge of military strategy from his father, but as a second son, he would become in his own right and by his own abilities, skills, and sense of honor the best of chivalric knighthood, a "familiaris Regis," the Earl of Pembroke, and the Regent of England."

Spouse: Isabel de Clare (2), b. ABT 1171 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 1220 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Father: Richard "Strongbow" de Clare, b. 1130 in Tunbridge, Kent, England, d. 1 May 1176 in Dublin, Leinster, Ireland, cause of death An ulcer of the foot.
Mother: Eve (Aife) McMurrough, b. ABT 1150 in Leinster, Ireland, d. 1177 in Ireland
Married August 1189 in London, Middlesex, England.

Children:

  1. William II Marshal, b. ABT 1190, m. Alice de Bethune, September 1214, m. Eleanor of England, 23 April 1224, d. 6 April 1231, He was appointed justiciar of Ireland, 2 May 1224, He surrendered his office of justiciar of Ireland, 22 June 1226 in Winchester, Hampshire, England, cause of death was believed to have been poisoning, He was buried next to his father at Temple Church, 15 April 1231 in London, Middlesex, England
  2. Richard Marshal, b. ABT 1192, m. Gervase de Dinan, bef. 1224, d. 16 April 1234 in Kilkenny, Ireland, cause of death Murder, He was buried at the Franciscan Abbey, 16 April 1234 in Kilkenny, Ireland
  3. Maud (Matilda) Marshal, b. ABT 1193, m. Hugh of Bigod, 3rd Earl of Norfolk, 1206 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, m. William, Earl of Warenne, aft. February 1225 in Surrey, England, d. 1245
  4. Gilbert Marshal, b. ABT 1195, m. Margaret de Lanvallei, September 1230, m. Marjory, Princess of Scotland, August 1235, d. 27 June 1241 in Ware, Wales, cause of death was from injuries incurred during a tournament.
  5. Walter Marshal (2), b. ABT 1196, m. Margaret de Quincy, 6 January 1242 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 24 November 1245 in Goodrich Castle, Gascony, France
  6. Eve Marshal, b. ABT 1198 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, m. William "Black Will" de Braose, bef. 1219 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 1246
  7. Anselm Marshal, b. ABT 1199, m. Maud de Bohun, bef. 1245, d. 23 December 1245 in Striguil, Wales
  8. Isabel Marshall, b. ABT 1201 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, m. Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, 9 October 1217, m. Richard, Earl of Cornwall, April 1231, d. October 1239 in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, England
  9. Joan (Johanna) Marshal, b. ABT 1204, m. Warin de Munchensi, Lord of Swanscombe, aft. 1220, d. bef. 1234
  10. Sibilla Marshal, b. ABT 1206, m. William de Ferrers, 5th Earl of Derby, bef. 1219, d. aft. 1238

John "the Marshal" Fitzgilbert, b. ABT 1105 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, m. Aline Pipard, ABT 1130 in Wiltshire, England, div. bef. 1141, d. 1164 in Newbury Castle, Wiltshire, England

Father: Gilbert le Mareschal, b. ABT 1067 in Cheddar, Axbridge, Somersetshire, England, d. ABT 1129 in Winterbourne Monkton, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England
Mother: Mary de Venoix, b. ABT 1083 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France
John was also known as John Mareschal. He was the Marshall of the Royal Household and later took the hereditary title as his name. There is some disagreement about John's mother. He is said to be a descendant of Miles de Venoix, which is only possible if his mother is Mary de Venoix instead of de Venus. It is possible, though, that Mary de Venois and Ms. de Venus are the same person.

During the civil war between Empress Matilda and her cousin Stephen, John at first supported Stephen, though some historians claim he didn't much care who won. He later chose to support Empress Matilda, and was with her at the siege of Winchester. It was decided that the Empress should retreat to John's castle of Ludgershall with him while Robert of Gloucester continued the battle. At Wherwell John sent the Empress ahead to his castle with Brian Fitzcount, while he defended her retreat with a few of his knights at the River Test. Only John and one of his knights survived the battle here, and they retreated to Wherwell Abbey. The enemy followed them there and set fire to the abbey, then left thinking John had been killed. He survived and made his way to his castle of Marlborough, losing one eye from iron that melted in the fire.

John was daring, ruthless, and had more than his share of daring, energy, and ambition. He was known for his ability as a soldier and knight, his cunning, and his love of military stratagems. The "Gesta Stephani" describes him as "a limb of hell and the root of all evil."

Later John gave his son William to Stephen as a hostage as part of a treaty. At the siege of Newbury in 1152, after John broke the treaty by attacking the lands of Stephen's supporters, Stephen reminded him of the son he had given as hostage, whom he now had the right to execute. John's famous reply was that he, "had the anvils and the hammer to forge still better sons." Stephen did not kill William, but rather sent him to Normandy to train as a knight.

One of John's most frequent victims was Patrick, Earl of Salisbury. After several years of attacking each other, both had enough. They worked out a compromise in 1141 in which Patrick would switch to Matilda's side, and John would put aside his wife and marry Patrick's sister, Sibyl.

John and Sibyl had two more sons and two daughters than what is listed here.

Spouse: Sibilla (Sibyl) de Salisbury, b. ABT 1139 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 3 June

Father: Walter Fitzedward of Salisbury, b. ABT 1095 in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, d. 1147
Mother: Sibyl de Chaworth
Married 1141 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Children:

  1. John Marshal, b. ABT 1144
  2. William I Marshal, b. 1146 in Rockley, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, m. Isabel de Clare (2), August 1189 in London, Middlesex, England, d. 14 May 1219 in Caversham, Henley, Oxfordshire, England, buried aft. 14 May 1219 in Temple Church, London, Middlesex, England
  3. Margaret Marshal, b. ABT 1148, m. Ralph de Somery, Baron of Dudley

Gilbert le Mareschal, b. ABT 1067 in Cheddar, Axbridge, Somersetshire, England, m. de Venuz, ABT 1120, d. ABT 1129 in Winterbourne Monkton, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England

Father: Robert (Rollo) of Cheddar, b. ABT 1045 in Normandy, France, d. aft. 1086 in Cheddar, Axbridge, Somersetshire, England
Gilbert was Marshall of the Royal Household of King Henry I. The Marshall was subordinate to the Constable of the royal household, and was responsible for everything connected to the horses, hawks, and hounds. He had the duty of keeping order in the royal court, and arranging for the billeting of members of the court, keeping tallies and other vouchers of the expenditures of the household, keeping rolls of all who performed military service there, and the imprisonment of debtors.

Spouse: Mary de Venoix, b. ABT 1083 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France

Father: Geoffrey "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 1056 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France
Married ABT 1100.

Children:

  1. John "the Marshal" Fitzgilbert, b. ABT 1105 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, m. Aline Pipard, ABT 1130 in Wiltshire, England, div. bef. 1141, m. Sibilla (Sibyl) de Salisbury, 1141 in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, d. 1164 in Newbury Castle, Wiltshire, England

Robert (Rollo) of Cheddar, b. ABT 1045 in Normandy, France, d. aft. 1086 in Cheddar, Axbridge, Somersetshire, England

Father: Crispin de Bec, b. ABT 955 in Bec, Eure, Normandy, France
Mother: Hawise (Heloise) de Guines, b. ABT 958 in Guines, Artois, France

Children:

  1. Gilbert le Mareschal, b. ABT 1067 in Cheddar, Axbridge, Somersetshire, England, m. Mary de Venoix, ABT 1100, m. de Venuz, ABT 1120, d. ABT 1129 in Winterbourne Monkton, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England

Crispin de Bec, b. ABT 955 in Bec, Eure, Normandy, France

Father: Grimald Monaco, b. ABT 920
Mother: Crispina de Normandy, b. ABT 920 in Rouen, Seine-Inferieure, Normandy, France
There may be a generation missing before or after Crispin.

Spouse: Hawise (Heloise) de Guines, b. ABT 958 in Guines, Artois, France, m. Geoffrey Crispin, Count of Eu, ABT 977

Father: Sigfried "the Dane" de Guines, b. 905, d. 965 in Guines, Artois, France
Mother: Elisende (Elftrude) de Flanders, b. ABT 935 in Flanders, Belgium
Married bef. 1045.

Children:

  1. Robert (Rollo) of Cheddar, b. ABT 1045 in Normandy, France, d. aft. 1086 in Cheddar, Axbridge, Somersetshire, England

Grimald Monaco, b. ABT 920

Spouse: Crispina de Normandy, b. ABT 920 in Rouen, Seine-Inferieure, Normandy, France

Father: Rolf "The Ganger" Rognvaldsson, b. 846 in Norway, d. 932 in Normandy, France, changed name to Robert of Normandy 911
Mother: Poppa de Valois, d. ABT 938 in France
Crispina being the mother of Crispin de Bec is questionable if his date of birth is close to correct.
Married.

Children:

  1. Crispin de Bec, b. ABT 955 in Bec, Eure, Normandy, France, m. Hawise (Heloise) de Guines, bef. 1045

Sigfried "the Dane" de Guines, b. 905, d. 965 in Guines, Artois, France

Father: Gottfried Eriksson, King of Haithhabu, b. 820 in Friesland, Germany, d. aft. 905
Mother: Gisela, Princess of Lorraine, b. aft. 862, d. bef. 26 October 907

Spouse: Elisende (Elftrude) de Flanders, b. ABT 935 in Flanders, Belgium

Father: Arnolph I "The Great", Count of Flanders, b. in Flanders, Belgium, d. 965, Acceded to Count of Flanders 918 in Flanders, Belgium
Mother: Alice of Vermandois, b. ABT 912, d. 960
Married.

Children:

  1. Hawise (Heloise) de Guines, b. ABT 958 in Guines, Artois, France, m. Geoffrey Crispin, Count of Eu, ABT 977, m. Crispin de Bec, bef. 1045
  2. Ardulf de Guines, b. ABT 963 in Guines, Artois, France

Geoffrey "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 1056 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France

Father: Miles "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 1026 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France, d. 1069
Mother: Lesceline, b. ABT 1026, d. bef. 1059
Geoffrey is presumed to be either the father or grandfather of the Robert de Venoix who tried to claim the office of Master Marshal against Gilbert the Marshal under Henry I.

Children:

  1. Mary de Venoix, b. ABT 1083 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France, m. Gilbert le Mareschal, ABT 1100

Miles "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 1026 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France, d. 1069

Father: Ibert "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 995 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France

Spouse: Lesceline, b. ABT 1026, d. bef. 1059

Married.

Children:

  1. Ralf de Venoix, b. ABT 1040 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France
  2. Geoffrey "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 1056 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France

Ibert "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 995 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France

Children:

  1. Miles "the Marshal" de Venoix, b. ABT 1026 in Venoix, Calvados, Normandy, France, m. Lesceline, d. 1069




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