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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On 1st May 1867 Herbert Duckworth [aged 54] and [her mother] Julia Prinsep Jackson [aged 21] were married at Tichurst, East Sussex, presumably at St Mary's Church, Ticehurst [Map]. The difference in their ages was 33 years.
On 26th March 1878 [her father] Leslie Stephen [aged 45] and [her mother] Julia Prinsep Jackson [aged 32] were married. They had four children.
On 25th January 1882 Adeline Virginia Stephen aka Virginia Woolf was born to Leslie Stephen [aged 49] and Julia Prinsep Jackson [aged 35].
On 5th May 1895 [her mother] Julia Prinsep Jackson [aged 49] died.
1902. George Charles Beresford [aged 37]. Photograph of Adeline Virginia Stephen aka Virginia Woolf [aged 19].
On 22nd February 1904 [her father] Leslie Stephen [aged 71] died.
In 1912 Leonard Woolf [aged 31] and Adeline Virginia Stephen aka Virginia Woolf [aged 29] were married.
On 28th March 1941 Adeline Virginia Stephen aka Virginia Woolf [aged 59] committed suicide. She walked into the fast-flowing River Ouse near her home having placed a large stone in her pocket. Her body was not found until 18 April. In her suicide note, addressed to her husband Leonard Woolf [aged 60], she wrote: "Dearest, I feel certain that I am going mad again. I feel we can't go through another of those terrible times. And I shan't recover this time. I begin to hear voices, and I can't concentrate. So I am doing what seems the best thing to do. You have given me the greatest possible happiness. You have been in every way all that anyone could be. I don't think two people could have been happier till this terrible disease came. I can't fight it any longer. I know that I am spoiling your life, that without me you could work. And you will I know. You see I can't even write this properly. I can't read. What I want to say is I owe all the happiness of my life to you. You have been entirely patient with me and incredibly good. I want to say that—everybody knows it. If anybody could have saved me, it would have been you. Everything has gone from me but the certainty of your goodness. I can't go on spoiling your life any longer. I don't think two people could have been happier than we have been. V."
After the suicide of his wife Virginia Woolf [deceased] on 28th March 1941 Leonard Woolf [aged 60] began a relationship with Trekkie Parsons [aged 38] that lasted until his death in 1969. She often spent the week with Leonard and the weekend with her husband. She had holidays and acted as hostess for them both separately. She was Leonard's companion on trips to France, Greece, Israel, and Ceylon. She wrote many letters to Leonard when they were apart, published in 1974 as Love Letters: Leonard Woolf and Trekkie Ritchie Parsons. Despite their declared love and companionship, Trekkie insisted that the two had not been lovers.
On 14th August 1969 [her former husband] Leonard Woolf [aged 88] died.
Father: Leslie Stephen
Adeline Virginia Stephen aka Virginia Woolf
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Jackson
GrandFather: John Jackson
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Howard of Bengal
Mother: Julia Prinsep Jackson
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Peter Pattle
GrandMother: Maria "Mia" Theodosia Pattle
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ambroise Pierre de l'Etang
Great x 1 Grandmother: Adeline Marie de l'Etang