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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Biography of Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth 1691-1762

Paternal Family Tree: Griffin

Before 30th November 1691, the date she was baptised, Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth was born to [her father] James Griffin 2nd Baron Griffin (age 23).

In 1706 Ralph Grey 4th Baronet Grey of Werke (age 45) died. Baron Grey Werke in Northumberland extinct. His estates were inherited by his nephew [her future husband] Henry Neville aka Grey (age 22); the estates were charged with £40,000 owing to the 3rd Lord Grey's involvement in the Monmouth Rebellion. Henry Neville aka Grey changed his surname from Neville to Grey in accordance with his uncle's will.

On 10th November 1710 [her grandfather] Edward Griffin 1st Baron Griffin (age 59) died having been imprisoned for being a Jacobite at Tower of London [Map]. He was buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map].His son [her father] James (age 42) succeeded 2nd Baron Griffin of Braybrooke.

Before 31st October 1715 [her father] James Griffin 2nd Baron Griffin (age 47) died. His son [her brother] Edward (age 22) succeeded 3rd Baron Griffin of Braybrooke.

On 20th May 1716 [her future husband] John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 26) and Bridget Bennet Viscountess Lymington (age 19) were married. They had six sons and four daughters. She the daughter of Charles Bennet 1st Earl Tankerville (age 42) and Mary Grey Baroness Ossulston.

In 1720 Henry Neville aka Grey (age 36) and Elizabeth Griffin (age 28) were married. There was no issue from the marriage.

On 11th June 1720 [her future husband] John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 30) was created 1st Viscount Lymington, 1st Baron Wallop of Farley Wallop Hampshire. Bridget Bennet Viscountess Lymington (age 23) by marriage Viscountess Lymington.

Before 2nd November 1739 Charles Jervas (age 64). Portrait of Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth (age 47).

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.

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On 9th September 1740 [her husband] Henry Neville aka Grey (age 57) died. His wife Elizabeth Griffin (age 48) inherited his property, including his country house at Billingbear, Berkshire, and a town house in London.

On 9th June 1741 John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 51) and Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth (age 49) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Lymington. They were fifth cousin once removed.

Before 22nd June 1742 [her brother] Edward Griffin 3rd Baron Griffin (age 48) died. Baron Griffin of Braybrooke extinct.

On 11th April 1743 or 11th October 1743 [her husband] John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 52) was created 1st Earl Portsmouth. Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth (age 51) by marriage Countess Portsmouth.

On 19th November 1749 [her step-son] John Wallop Viscount Lymington (age 31) died. He was buried at St John's Church, Farleigh Wallop.

In 1752 Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth (age 60) purchased the dilapidated Audley End House, Saffron Walden [Map] from Thomas Howard 2nd Earl of Effingham (age 38). The house had previously been int he Griffin family. She commissioned renovations to the house and grounds

On 6th June 1759 [her step-son] Bluett Wallop (age 33) died of smallpox.

In August 1762 Richard Aldworth aka Neville aka Griffin (age 44) assumed the surname Griffin when he inherited Billingbear House, Waltham St Lawrence on the death Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth (age 70), widow of his maternal uncle [her former husband] Henry Neville aka Grey.

On 13th August 1762 Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth (age 70) died. Her nephew John Whitwell aka Griffin 4th Baron Howard Walden 1st Baron Braybrooke (age 43) inherited Audley End House, Saffron Walden [Map].

Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans

Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.

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On 22nd November 1762 [her former husband] John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth (age 72) died. He was buried at St John's Church, Farleigh Wallop. His grandson John (age 20) succeeded 2nd Earl Portsmouth, 2nd Viscount Lymington, 2nd Baron Wallop of Farley Wallop Hampshire.

Ancestors of Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth 1691-1762

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Griffin 10th Baron Latimer Braybrooke 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Griffin 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Griffin 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Palmer

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Griffin 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Conyers 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Reginald Conyers 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Blount 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Lucy Conyers 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Edward Griffin 1st Baron Griffin 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Father: James Griffin 2nd Baron Griffin 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 4th Duke of Norfolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Audley Duchess Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Knyvet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stumpe

Great x 1 Grandfather: James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Manderston Home

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Home 1st Earl Dunbar

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Gordon 3rd of Gight 13 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gordon Countess Dunbar 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Beaton

GrandMother: Essex Howard Baroness Griffin 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Rich 2nd Baron Rich of Leez

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Baldry Baroness Rich Leez

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Susannah Rich Countess Suffolk 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Cope

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Cope 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mohun 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Cope Countess Holland 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Grenville

Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Granville

Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Biography of Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth 1691-1762

Royal Ancestors of Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth 1691-1762

Ancestors of Elizabeth Griffin Countess Portsmouth 1691-1762