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: Archer
Before 1650 [his father] Thomas Archer (age 30) and [his mother] Anne Leigh (age 16) were married.
Before 2nd August 1659, the date he was baptised, Andrew Archer was born to [his father] Thomas Archer (age 40) and [his mother] Anne Leigh (age 26).
In 1678 Andrew Archer (age 18) was educated at Trinity College, Oxford University.
In 1680 Andrew Archer (age 20) admitted at Inner Temple.
On 24th October 1685 [his mother] Anne Leigh (age 52) died.
On or before 25th October 1685, the date he was buried at Tamworth, Staffordshire [Map], [his father] Thomas Archer (age 66) died.
In 1690 Andrew Archer (age 30) was elected MP Warwickshire.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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On 21st July 1695 [his son] Thomas Archer 1st Baron Archer was born to Andrew Archer (age 35) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Dashwood. He married Catherine Tipping Baroness Archer, daughter of Thomas Tipping 1st Baronet and Anne Cheke, and had issue.
In 1700 [his son] Henry Archer was born to Andrew Archer (age 40) and [his future wife] Elizabeth Dashwood.
In 1702 Andrew Archer (age 42) and Elizabeth Dashwood were married.
In 1705 Andrew Archer (age 45) was elected MP Warwickshire.
In 1713 Andrew Archer (age 53) was elected MP Warwickshire.
In 12th July 1720 [his son-in-law] Thomas Chaplin of Blankney (age 36) and [his daughter] Diana Archer were married.
On 31st August 1741 Andrew Archer (age 82) died.
[his daughter] Diana Archer was born to Andrew Archer and Elizabeth Dashwood. She married 12th July 1720 Thomas Chaplin of Blankney and had issue.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Archer was born to Andrew Archer and Elizabeth Dashwood.
[his daughter] Sarah Archer was born to Andrew Archer and Elizabeth Dashwood.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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[his daughter] Anne Archer was born to Andrew Archer and Elizabeth Dashwood.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Simon Archer
Father: Thomas Archer 13 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Ferrers 
9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Ferrers 10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret or Margot Pigot
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Ferrers 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Cockayne 
10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Barbara Cockayne 11 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Marrow
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Ferrers of Tamworth Castle 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bradbourne 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Bradbourne 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Cotton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Bradbourne 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandMother: Anne Ferrers 12 x Great Grand Daughter of
Andrew Archer 14 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Richard Leigh
Mother: Anne Leigh