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: Leighton
Before 1747 [his father] Charlton Leighton 3rd Baronet [aged 31] and [his mother] Anna-Maria Mytton were married.
Around 1747 Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet was born to [his father] Charlton Leighton 3rd Baronet [aged 32] and [his mother] Anna-Maria Mytton.
In August 1750 [his mother] Anna-Maria Mytton died.
Before 1752 [his father] Charlton Leighton 3rd Baronet [aged 36] and Emma Maude Lady Leighton were married.
On 10th August 1755 [his grandmother] Latitia Owen [aged 59] died. Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet [aged 8] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.
In 1756 [his grandfather] Edward Leighton 2nd Baronet [aged 75] died. His son [his father] Charlton [aged 41] succeeded 3rd Baronet Leighton of Wattlesborough.
On 17th September 1763 Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet [aged 16] was admitted to St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1780 and 1784 Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet [aged 33] was elected MP Shrewsbury unopposed.
In 1780 [his father] Charlton Leighton 3rd Baronet [aged 65] died. His son Charlton [aged 33] succeeded 4th Baronet Leighton of Wattlesborough.
In 1784 Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet [aged 37] died unmarried. His half brother [his half-brother] Robert [aged 32] succeeded 5th Baronet Leighton of Wattlesborough. [his sister] Anna-Maria Leighton and her husband Nicholas Smythe [aged 54] inherited Condover Hall, Shropshire.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 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 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Leighton of Wattlesborough Castle
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Leighton 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Baldwin of Diddlebury in Shropshire
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gertrude Baldwin
GrandFather: Edward Leighton 2nd Baronet
Father: Charlton Leighton 3rd Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Forester of Dothill
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Forester of Dothill
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Forester of Dothill
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Forester 12 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Newport 
9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Newport 1st Baron Newport 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Lacon 16 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Newport 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Leveson
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Leveson Baroness Gower 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Christian Mildmay 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Rachel Forester Lady Leighton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Cecil 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Cecil 3rd Earl Salisbury 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Maxwell 1st Earl Dirletoun 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Diana Maxwell
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Cecil 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Manners 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Pierrepont 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Manners Countess of Salisbury 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Montagu Countess Rutland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Cotton 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Charlton Leighton 4th Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Mytton
GrandFather: Richard Mytton of Halston
Mother: Anna-Maria Mytton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Owen of Condover
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Owen
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Owen
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Owen of Condover
GrandMother: Latitia Owen
Great x 2 Grandfather: St John Booth
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Booth