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: Hales
In 1624 [his father] Edward Hales 1st Baronet (age 48) died. His son Edward succeeded 2nd Baronet Hales of Woodchurch and Tunstall.
In 1626 Edward Hales 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] Edward Hales 1st Baronet.
Before 1645 Edward Hales 2nd Baronet (age 18) and Anne Wotton (age 15) were married.
In 1645 [his son] Edward Hales 3rd Baronet was born to Edward Hales 2nd Baronet (age 19) and [his wife] Anne Wotton (age 16). He married 12th July 1669 Frances Windebank and had issue.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th July 1655. Came Mr. Pratt (age 35), my old acquaintance at Rome, also Sir Edward Hales (age 29), Sir Joseph Tufton, with Mr. Seymour.
John Evelyn's Diary. 19th September 1655. Came to see me Sir Edward Hales (age 29), Mr. Ashmole (age 38), Mr. Harlakenton, and Mr. Thornhill: and, the next day, I visited Sir Henry Newton at Charlton, where I met the Earl of Winchelsea (age 27) and Baroness Beauchamp (age 25), daughter to the Lord Capel.
On 12th July 1669 [his son] Edward Hales 3rd Baronet (age 24) and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Windebank (age 23) were married at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].
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.
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Around 1684 Edward Hales 2nd Baronet (age 58) died. His son Edward (age 39) succeeded 3rd Baronet Hales of Woodchurch and Tunstall.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Hales of Hales Place in Tenterden
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hales of Tenterden
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Hales of Tenterden
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Capell of Lenden in Tenterden
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juliana Capell
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Hales
Great x 3 Grandfather: Stephen Harry
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Harry
GrandFather: William Hales of Tenterden in Kent
Father: Edward Hales 1st Baronet