My wife's ancestors - Talbot - Contents

John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury

John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, presenting the Talbot Shrewsbury Book to Margaret of Anjou as she marries Henry VI in 1445.
See larger and full size.
From here.

John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury,
born in about 1384 or 1387.
See wikipedia and genealogics.
He mar 1stly to Maud de Neville.
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 1413-1420 (joint).
In 1415 he built Talbot Castle, Trim, Co.Meath.
Maud died 31 May 1422.
He had issue by 1st wife:

1. John Talbot, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury,
   died 1460.
   Ancestor of the Earls of Shrewsbury and of Baron Talbot and of Earl Talbot.

He mar 2ndly, 6 September 1425, to Margaret Beauchamp [born 1404, descendant of Edward I].
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland again 1425-1427. Military success in Ireland.
Great initial military success against France in the Hundred Years War. He was called the "English Achilles" and the "Terror of the French".
The English were finally stopped by Joan of Arc at Siege of Orleans May 1429.
He was taken prisoner at Battle of Patay June 1429. Held prisoner for 4 years. Released in prisoner exchange.
He features prominently in the play Henry VI, Part I by Shakespeare:

• In Act 1, scene 4, he describes how he was mocked when a captive: "Here, said they, is the terror of the French, The scarecrow that affrights our children so."
• In Act 2, scene 3, the Countess of Auvergne meets him and asks: "Is this the scourge of France? Is this the Talbot, so much fear'd abroad That with his name the mothers still their babes?"
• In Act 4, scene 7, Talbot dies in battle with his son. Sir William Lucy asks: "Is Talbot slain, the Frenchmen's only scourge, Your kingdom's terror and black Nemesis?"

He was created Earl in 1442.
He commissioned the illuminated manuscript the Talbot Shrewsbury Book in 1444-45. He presented it to Margaret of Anjou in honour of her betrothal to Henry VI (they married 23 April 1445).
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland again 1446-1449.
He was killed with his son in Battle of Castillon, France, 17 July 1453, age about 66 or 69 yrs.
This battle was a victory for France over England, and the turning point in the end of English ambitions on the continent.
He was bur at St Alkmund's Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire.
He had issue by 2nd wife:

1. John Talbot, 1st Viscount Lisle.
   He was killed with his father in Battle of Castillon, 17 July 1453.
   He had issue:

   
   

   1. Elizabeth Talbot.
      She mar Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Lisle and had issue.

John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, in 1445.
Detail from the Talbot Shrewsbury Book above.

The death of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, at the Battle of Castillon in 1453.
From a French manuscript of c.1484.
See full size. From here.

---

Talbot Castle, Trim, Co.Meath

Talbot Castle, on the river, off High St, Trim, Co.Meath.
Built 1415 by 1st Earl of Shrewsbury.
It was later converted into a school.
It survives today, and must be one of the oldest unfortified secular buildings in Ireland.
See satellite view and street view.

Talbot Castle, Trim, Co.Meath.
Photo 2011. See larger and full size.
From Chrissie Raysor. Used with permission.

---

Sources yet to be consulted

• 1st Earl of Shrewsbury in [DIB]

---

• There is a portrait of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, in Malahide Castle.

• Whitchurch, Shropshire:
  • Sir John Talbot's school, Whitchurch, was founded by Rev Sir John Talbot in 1548.
  • There is a Talbot St in Whitchurch. See map.

• Earls of Shrewsbury
  • The seat of Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, after 1814 was Alton Towers, Staffordshire.
  • This is now Alton Towers fun park.
  • Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury founded Clément-Talbot cars in 1902.
  • The name "Talbot" for cars was later bought out and Talbot cars were made under various owners until 1994, with some motorsports wins.

• Earl Talbot
  • Talbot St, Dublin, is named after Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 2nd Earl Talbot, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1817-21.

• Baron Talbot