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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Wriothesley's Chronicle 1549 is in Wriothesley's Chronicle.
20th March 1549. Memorandum: the xxth daie of March, 1549, Sir Thomas Seymor. Lord of Sidley1 and High Admirall of England, and brother to my Lord Protector, was beheaded at the Towrehill, which said Lord Admirall was condemned of high treason by the hole Perliament2, as by an Act made by the same more plainelie appeareth3.
Note 1. Baron of Sudley.
Note 2. On the 4th of March a message came from the King to the Commons stating that "he thought it was not necessary to send for the Admiral, but that the Lords should come down and renew before them the evidence they had given in their own House;" and thereupon the Bill of Attainder was agreed to in a House of about four hundred members, not more than ten or twelve voting in the negative.-See Burnet, ii. p. 99.
Note 3. Strype, in his notes to Hayward, pp. 301-3, has given a full account of these proceedings from the Journals of the two Houses, to prove "how fairly the admiral was judged and dealt with in the Parliament." The journals notice that the Lord Protector was present at each reading of the Bill.