The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Caribbean is in Atlantic Islands.
In 1794 Captain Richard Newton Ogle [aged 25] died of the infectious fever on board HMS Boyne on its voyage from Guadaloupe.
On 16th April 1775 William Leybourne Leyboure [aged 40] died at Saint Vincent And The Grenadines. He was buried at Saint George Cathedral and Graveyard.
On 16th April 1775 William Leybourne Leyboure [aged 40] died at Saint Vincent And The Grenadines. He was buried at Saint George Cathedral and Graveyard.
On 29th August 1805 Brigadier-General Robert Bernard Sparrow [aged 32] died aboard ship whilst returning from Barbados. He was buried at Tortola.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd February 1663. This morning came my Lord Windsor [aged 36] to kiss the Duke's [aged 29] hand, being returned from Jamaica. He tells the Duke, that from such a degree of latitude going thither he begun to be sick, and was never well till his coming so far back again, and then presently begun to be well. He told the Duke of their taking the fort of St. Jago, upon Cuba, by his men; but, upon the whole, I believe that he did matters like a young lord, and was weary of being upon service out of his own country, where he might have pleasure. For methought it was a shame to see him this very afternoon, being the first day of his coming to town, to be at a playhouse.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 3rd April 1663. I find at Court that there is some bad news from Ireland of an insurrection of the Catholiques there, which puts them into an alarm. I hear also in the City that for certain there is an embargo upon all our ships in Spayne, upon this action of my Lord Windsor's [aged 36] at Cuba, which signifies little or nothing, but only he hath a mind to say that he hath done something before he comes back again. Late tonight I sent to invite my uncle Wight and aunt with Mrs. Turner [aged 40] to-morrow.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th February 1663. Took my wife home, and I to my office. Find myself pretty well but fearful of cold, and so to my office, where late upon business; Mr. Bland sitting with me, talking of my Lord Windsor's [aged 36] being come home from Jamaica, unlooked-for; which makes us think that these young Lords are not fit to do any service abroad, though it is said that he could not have his health there, but hath razed a fort of the King of Spain [aged 57] upon Cuba, which is considerable, or said to be so, for his honour.
In August 1762 George Keppel 3rd Earl Albermarle [aged 38] commanded during the Capture of Havana.
In 1762 William Keppel [aged 34] directed at Morro Castle Havana.
On 8th March 1748 William Cust [aged 28] was killed by a cannonball whilst leading the attack on Port Louis, Cuba on HMS Elizabeth.
In February 1748 Rear-Admiral Charles Knowles left Port Royal, Jamaica, with eight ships of the line to make an attack on Santiago de Cuba. Delayed by contrary winds, he diverted his expedition to Port Louis in the south east of Hispaniola, now known as Haiti. The town sat at the head of a large, deep bay, with two islands, on one of which was a French fort. Knowles sailed his ships up the channel and passed them to the west and north of the fort, which surrendered after a sharp bombardment. The town’s surrender followed soon afterwards and Knowles, having taken possession of a small merchant vessel called a snow and three privateer sloops, burnt the fort and departed for Santiago de Cuba.
The walls of the fort are shown in the centre of the picture with Knowles’s flagship, the ‘Canterbury’ placed slightly to the left, firing into it. Ahead of the French fireship which had been sent against the first in the line, the ‘Elizabeth’ is being towed by boats out of harms way. The ‘Elizabeth’ herself, which had had to evade it is on the extreme left, out of position of the firing. The ship ahead of the ‘Canterbury’, and firing into the north face of the port is believed to be the ‘Worcester’. To the right is a two decker, probably the ‘Stafford’, engaging the fort, while to the right of her, and not engaged because the inner ships mask her batteries, is a ship which is probably the ‘Plymouth’. The ‘Cornwall’ and the ‘Warwick’ are shown beyond engaging. In the extreme right of the picture in the foreground a two-decker, is half into the picture.
William Cust: In 1720 he was born to Richard Cust 2nd Baronet and Anne Brownlow Lady Cust.
On 9th April 1748 the Battle of Santiago de Cuba was a failed attempt by the British to force the entrance of the port of Santiago de Cuba.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th May 1669. Thence carried them and Mr. Gibson, who met me at my Lord Brouncker's [aged 49] with a fair copy of my petition, which I thought to shew the Duke of York [aged 35] this night, but could not, and therefore carried them to the Park, where they had never been, and so home to supper and to bed. Great the news now of the French taking St. Domingo, in Spaniola, from the Spaniards, which troubles us, that they should have it, and have the honour of taking it, when we could not.
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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In 1776 Edward Payne Merchant puchased a coffee plantation at St Paul's.
On 12th June 1795 Hugh Williams [aged 28] was killed at Grenada, Caribbean. Monument in St Marys and St Nicholas Church Beaumaris [Map].
Hugh Williams: On 20th March 1767 he was born to Hugh Williams 8th Baronet and Emma Bridget Rowlands Viscountess Bulkeley.
On 4th November 1803 Major-General William Douglas-Maclean-Clephane [aged 44] died at Grenada, Caribbean.
On 9th October 1838 Henry George Jarvis [aged 29] died in Grenada, Caribbean. Memorial at St Peter's Church, Doddington [Map].
Henry George Jarvis: On 18th February 1809 he was born to George Ralph Payne Jarvis and Sarah Delaval.
In 1780 Peter Simond of London [aged 88] and David Hankey are listed as owners of a number of Lots at St Andrew, Grenada and St David, Grenada.
In 1780 Peter Simond of London [aged 88] and David Hankey are listed as owners of a number of Lots at St Andrew, Grenada and St David, Grenada.
In 1595 Nicholas Clifford of Bobbing Kent died near Puerto Rico.
On 20th August 1780 Lucius Ferdinand Cary Master of Falkland [aged 45] died in Tobago.
In 1833 General Lionel Smith 1st Baronet [aged 54] was Governor of Tobago.
On 3rd February 1851 George Canning Harris 4th Baron Harris was born to George Harris 3rd Baron Harris [aged 40] at St Ann's, Trinidad. He married 8th July 1874 Lucy Ada Jervis Baroness Harris, daughter of Carnegie Jervis 3rd Viscount St Vincent, and had issue.
In September 1652 Peyton Carteret and Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 31] drowned in the Virgin Islands Caribbean when HMS Defiance sank.