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.
Bishop Thomas Langton was born to [his father] Unamed Langton at Appleby-in-Westmoreland [Map].
Around 1464 Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge was born to Reginald Bainbridge and [his sister] Isabella Langton at Hilton, Westmoreland. His uncle was Bishop Thomas Langton.
On 1st July 1480 Bishop Thomas Langton was presented to All Hallows Church, Bread Street.
On 14th May 1482 Bishop Thomas Langton was presented to All Hallows Church, Lombard Street.
Before 9th April 1483 Bishop Thomas Langton was nominated Bishop of St David's. He was consecrated around Aug/Sep 1483.
On 8th February 1485 Bishop Thomas Langton was translated to Bishop of Salisbury.
Patent Rolls. 28th April 1485. Presentation of Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge [aged 21] to the parish church of Pembrige, in the diocese of Hereford, void by the resignation of [his uncle] Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury.
In 1493 Bishop Thomas Langton was translated to Bishop of Winchester.
On 22nd January 1501 Bishop Thomas Langton was elected Archbishop of Canterbury. He died five days later of the plague.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 27th January 1501 Bishop Thomas Langton had given 10 pounds towards the construction of Church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge [Map].
On 27th January 1501 Bishop Thomas Langton died of plague. He was buried in a marble tomb within 'a very fair chapel' which he had built south of the lady-chapel in Winchester Cathedral [Map].