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: Mordaunt
In 1708 Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd was born to [his father] John Mordaunt (age 27) and [his mother] Frances Powlett.
In 1708 [his father] John Mordaunt (age 27) and [his mother] Frances Powlett were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Charles Paulet 2nd Duke Bolton (age 47) and [his grandmother] Frances Ramsden. He the son of [his grandfather] Charles Mordaunt 3rd Earl Peterborough 1st Earl Monmouth (age 50) and [his grandmother] Carey Fraser Countess Peterborough and Monmouth (age 48). They were fourth cousins.
On 5th April 1710 [his father] John Mordaunt (age 29) died.
In 1715 [his mother] Frances Powlett died.
On 13th November 1727 Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 19) commenced his education at Balliol College, Oxford University.
Before 1735 Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 26) and Mary Cox Countess Peterborough and Monmouth were married. She by marriage Countess Peterborough, Countess Monmouth.
On 25th October 1735 [his grandfather] Charles Mordaunt 3rd Earl Peterborough 1st Earl Monmouth (age 77) died. His grandson Charles (age 27) succeeded 4th Earl Peterborough, 2nd Earl Monmouth, 9th Baron Mordaunt, 3rd Viscount Mordaunt of Avalon, 3rd Baron Mordaunt of Reigate.
In 1736 [his daughter] Caroline Mordaunt died. She was buried at St Mary and Christ Church, Hendon Barnet.
On 29th December 1736 [his daughter] Frances Mordaunt was born to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 28) and [his wife] Mary Cox Countess Peterborough and Monmouth. She married 10th October 1765 Reverend Samuel Bulkeley.
On 25th June 1738 [his daughter] Mary Anastasia Grace Mordaunt 11th Baroness Mordaunt was born to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 30) and [his wife] Mary Cox Countess Peterborough and Monmouth.
Before 1748 [his future wife] Robiana Brown became the mistress of Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 39).
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Before 17th May 1748 [his illegitimate son] Charles Mordaunt was born illegitimately to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 40) and [his future wife] Robiana Brown.
Before 15th June 1749 [his illegitimate son] John Mordaunt was born illegitimately to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 41) and [his future wife] Robiana Brown.
Before 28th July 1750 [his illegitimate daughter] Frances Mordaunt was born illegitimately to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 42) and [his future wife] Robiana Brown.
Before 30th January 1752 [his illegitimate daughter] Harriat Mordaunt was born illegitimately to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 44) and [his future wife] Robiana Brown. She died aged one point zero four eight one five in 1753.
Before 11th June 1753 [his illegitimate son] Harriat Mordaunt was born illegitimately to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 45) and [his future wife] Robiana Brown.
Before 11th June 1753 [his illegitimate daughter] Harriat Mordaunt (age 1) died.
In 1755 Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 47) and Robiana Brown were married. She by marriage Countess Peterborough, Countess Monmouth.
In 1755 [his wife] Mary Cox Countess Peterborough and Monmouth died.
On 11th May 1758 [his son] Charles Henry Mordaunt 5th Earl Peterborough 3rd Earl Monmouth was born to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 50) and [his wife] Robiana Brown.
On 10th October 1765 [his son-in-law] Reverend Samuel Bulkeley (age 35) and [his daughter] Frances Mordaunt (age 28) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She the daughter of Charles Mordaunt 4th Earl Peterborough 2nd Earl Monmouth (age 57) and [his former wife] Mary Cox Countess Peterborough and Monmouth.
On 1st August 1779 Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd (age 71) died. His son Charles (age 21) succeeded 5th Earl Peterborough, 3rd Earl Monmouth, 10th Baron Mordaunt, 4th Viscount Mordaunt of Avalon, 4th Baron Mordaunt of Reigate.
In 1794 [his former wife] Robiana Brown died.
[his daughter] Caroline Mordaunt was born to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd and Mary Cox Countess Peterborough and Monmouth.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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[his illegitimate son] Henry Mordaunt was born illegitimately to Charles Mordaunt 4th 2nd and Robiana Brown.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 17 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 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lewis Mordaunt 3rd Baron Mordaunt 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Mordaunt 4th Baron Mordaunt
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Earl Peterborough 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Compton 1st Baron Compton 
5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Compton Baroness Mordaunt 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Spencer Countess Dorset 
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Viscount Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham 
7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Howard 3rd Baron Howard of Effingham 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Carey Countess Nottingham 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess Peterborough 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 2nd Baron St John 
9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne St John Lady Effingham 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Dormer Baroness St John Bletso 
GrandFather: Charles Mordaunt 3rd Earl Peterborough 1st Earl Monmouth 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Carey 1st Earl Monmouth 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Morgan Baroness Hunsdon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trevannion Countess Monmouth
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Carey Viscountess Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Smith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Smith
Father: John Mordaunt 10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander Fraser
GrandMother: Carey Fraser Countess Peterborough and Monmouth
Charles Mordaunt 4th Earl Peterborough 2nd Earl Monmouth 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Paulet 3rd Marquess Winchester 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Paulet 4th Marquess Winchester 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Howard Marchioness Winchester 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Paulet 5th Marquess Winchester 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Cecil Marchioness Winchester 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Paulet 1st Duke Bolton 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Savage 1st Baronet 
6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Savage 1st Viscount Savage 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Savage Marchioness Winchester 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 1st Earl Rivers 
8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers 9 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Kitson Countess Rivers 
11 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandFather: Charles Paulet 2nd Duke Bolton 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Scrope 9th Baron Scrope of Bolton 
6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Scrope 10th Baron Scrope of Bolton 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Howard Baroness Scrope Bolton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Emanuel Scrope 1st Earl of Sunderland 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philadelphia Carey Baroness Scrope Bolton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Morgan Baroness Hunsdon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Scrope 6th Marchioness Winchester 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Martha Jeanes
Mother: Frances Powlett 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Ramsden
GrandMother: Frances Ramsden