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: Wordsworth
On 9th June 1774 Christopher Wordsworth was born to [his father] John Wordsworth and [his mother] Ann Cookson at Wordsworth House.
In 1783 [his father] John Wordsworth died. [his sister] Dorothy Wordsworth (age 11) was sent to live with her aunt Elizabeth Threlkeld in Halifax.
In 1798 Christopher Wordsworth (age 23) became a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1802 [his brother] William Wordsworth (age 31) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Hutchinson were married.
In 1804 Christopher Wordsworth (age 29) and Priscilla Lloyd were married.
On 30th October 1807 [his son] Bishop Christopher Wordsworth was born to Christopher Wordsworth (age 33) and [his wife] Priscilla Lloyd.
In 1810 Christopher Wordsworth (age 35) published an Ecclesiastical Biography in 6 volumes.
In 1810 Christopher Wordsworth (age 35) received his Doctor of Divinity degree.
In 1815 [his wife] Priscilla Lloyd died.
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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In 1820 Christopher Wordsworth (age 45) was appointed Master of Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map] which position he held until 1846 when he resigned.
On 2nd February 1846 Christopher Wordsworth (age 71) died at Buxted.