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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1646 Bishop John Moore was born at Market Harborough, Leicestershire [Map].
In or before 1670 Bishop John Moore [aged 23] was appointed Chaplain to Heneage Finch 1st Earl Nottingham [aged 48].
From 1676 to 1687 Bishop John Moore [aged 30] was Rector of Blaby, Leicestershire.
Before 1681 Bishop John Moore [aged 34] and Rose Butler were married.
Around 1681 [his daughter] Rose Moore was born to Bishop John Moore [aged 35] and [his wife] Rose Butler. She married 1701 Bishop Thomas Tanner.
In or after 1687 Bishop John Moore [aged 41] was appointed Rector of St Anne's Church, Soho [Map] and St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].
After 1688 Bishop John Moore [aged 42] was appointed Royal Chaplain to King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 37].
On 13th September 1688 Richard Browne 3rd Baronet [aged 32] and [his future wife] Dorothy Barnes [aged 5] were married. The difference in their ages was 27 years.
In 1691 Bishop John Moore [aged 45] was appointed Bishop of Norwich.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1694 Bishop John Moore [aged 48] and Dorothy Barnes [aged 11] were married. The difference in their ages was 37 years.
In 1701 [his son-in-law] Bishop Thomas Tanner [aged 26] and Rose Moore [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of Bishop John Moore [aged 55] and Rose Butler.
On 15th March 1706 [his daughter] Rose Moore [aged 25] died. She was buried in Norwich Cathedral [Map] under a white marble tablet with an inscription to her memory.
In 1707 Bishop John Moore [aged 61] was translated to Bishop of Ely.
In 1714 Bishop John Moore [aged 68] died.