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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Paternal Family Tree: Oisingas
King Hlothhere of Kent was born to King Eorcenberht of Kent and Seaxburh Wuffingas Queen Consort Kent.
On 20th January 640 [his grandfather] King Eadbald of Kent died. His son [his father] Eorcenberht succeeded King of Kent. [his mother] Seaxburh Wuffingas Queen Consort Kent by marriage Queen Consort Kent.
Before 14th July 664 [his father] King Eorcenberht of Kent and [his mother] Seaxburh Wuffingas Queen Consort Kent were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Anna of East Anglia. He the son of King Eadbald of Kent and Emma Austrasia Queen Consort Kent.
On 14th July 664 [his father] King Eorcenberht of Kent died. His son [his brother] Ecgberht succeeded I King of Kent.
On 4th July 673 [his brother] King Ecgberht I of Kent died. His son [his nephew] Eadric succeeded King of Kent.
Bede. 680. About this time, Theodore [aged 78] being informed that the faith of the church at Constantinople was much perplexed by the heresy of Eutyches, and desiring to preserve the churches of the English, over which he presided, from that infection, an assembly of many venerable priests and doctors was convened, at which he diligently inquired into their doctrines, and found they all unanimously agreed in the Catholic faith. This he took care to have committed to writing by the authority of the synod, as a memorial, and for the instruction of succeeding generations; the beginning of which instrument is as follows:
"In the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the tenth year of the reign of our most pious lord, Egfrid, king of the Northumbrians [aged 35], the seventeenth of October, the eighth indiction; and in the sixth year of the reign of Ethelfrid, king of the Mercians, in the seventeenth year of the reign of Aldhulf, of the East Angles, in the seventh year of the reign of Lothair, king of Kent; Theodore, by the grace of God, archbishop of the island of Britain, and of the city of Canterbury, being president, and the other venerable bishops of the island of Britain sitting with him, the holy Gospels being laid before them, at the place which, in the Saxon tongue, is called Heathfield [Map], we conferred together, and expounded the true and orthodox faith, as our Lord Jesus in the flesh delivered the same to his disciples, who saw him present, and heard his words, and as it is delivered in the creed of the holy fathers, and by all holy and universal synods in general, and by the consent of all approved doctors of the Catholic church; we, therefore, following them jointly and orthodoxly, and professing accordance to their divinely inspired doctrine, do believe, and do, according to the holy fathers, firmly confess, properly and truly, the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost, a trinity consubstantial in unity, and unity in trinity, that is, one God subsisting in three consubstantial persons, of equal honour and glory."
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 685. This year King Everth [aged 40] commanded Cuthbert [aged 51] to be consecrated a bishop; and Archbishop Theodore [aged 83], on the first day of Easter, consecrated him at York Bishop of Hexham; for Trumbert had been deprived of that see. The same year Everth was slain by the north sea, and a large army with him, on the thirteenth day before the calends of June. He continued king fifteen winters; and his brother Elfrith succeeded him in the government. Everth was the son of Oswy. Oswy of Ethelferth, Ethelferth of Ethelric, Ethelric of Ida, Ida of Eoppa. About this time Ceadwall [aged 26] began to struggle for a kingdom. Ceadwall was the son of Kenbert, Kenbert of Chad [aged 95], Chad of Cutha, Cutha of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric, Cynric of Cerdic. Mull, who was afterwards consigned to the flames in Kent, was the brother of Ceadwall. The same year died Lothhere, King of Kent; and John was consecrated Bishop of Hexham, where he remained till Wilferth was restored, when John was translated to York on the death of Bishop Bosa. Wilferth his priest was afterwards consecrated Bishop of York, and John retired to his monastery [Map]21 in the woods of Delta. This year there was in Britain a bloody rain, and milk and butter were turned to blood.
Note 21. Beverley-minster, in Yorkshire [Map].
On 6th February 685 King Hlothhere of Kent died of wounds received in a battle with his nephew, and co-ruler, King Eadric of Kent.
Bede. This synod was held in the year from the incarnation of our Lord 673. In which year, Egbert, king of Kent, died in the month of July; his brother Lothere succeeded him on the throne, which he had held eleven years and seven months. Bisi, the bishop of the East Angles, who is said to have been in the aforesaid synod, was successor to Boniface, before spoken of, a man of much sanctity and religion; for when Boniface died, after having been bishop seventeen years, he was by Theodore substituted in his place. Whilst he was still alive, but hindered by much sickness from administering his episcopal functions, two bishops, Ecci and Badwin, were elected and consecrated in his place; from which time to the present, that province has had two bishops.
Bede. As soon, therefore, as he was recovered, he sold him at London, to a Freson, but he could not be bound by him the whole way as he was led along; but though his enemies put several sorts of bonds on him, they were all loosed. The buyer, perceiving that he could in no way be bound, gave him leave to ransom himself if he could; now it was at the third hour (nine in the morning) when the masses were wont to be said, that his bonds were generally loosed. He, having taken an oath that he would either return, or send him the money for his ransom, went into Kent to King Lothaire, who was son to the [his mother] sister of [his aunt] Queen Etheldrida, above spoken of, for he had once been her servant. From him he obtained the price of his ransom, and as he had promised, sent it to his master.
Great x 3 Grandfather: Octa King of Kent
Great x 2 Grandfather: Eormenric King of Kent
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Æthelberht of Kent
GrandFather: King Eadbald of Kent
Great x 3 Grandfather: Clothar "The Old" I King Paris Merovingian King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charibert King Paris Merovingian
Great x 1 Grandmother: Bertha Merovingian Queen Consort Kent
Great x 2 Grandmother: Ingoberga Unknown Queen Consort Paris
Father: King Eorcenberht of Kent
Great x 1 Grandfather: Theudebert II King Austrasia
GrandMother: Emma Austrasia Queen Consort Kent
Great x 4 Grandfather: Wehha Wuffingas
Great x 3 Grandfather: Wuffa King East Anglia
Great x 2 Grandfather: Tytila King East Anglia
Great x 1 Grandfather: Eni Wuffingas
GrandFather: King Anna of East Anglia