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: Scrope
In 1285 Geoffrey Scrope was born to William Scrope [aged 40].
On 1st February 1312 [his father] William Scrope [aged 67] died at Bracewell, Wensley, North Yorkshire.
Before 29th September 1312 Geoffrey Scrope [aged 27] and Ivette Ros [aged 27] were married.
On 29th September 1312 [his son] Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham was born to Geoffrey Scrope [aged 27] and [his wife] Ivette Ros [aged 27] at Masham. He married before 1342 Joan Unknown and had issue.
On 21st March 1324 Geoffrey Scrope [aged 39] was appointed Lord Chief Justice.
In 1325 [his son] Stephen Scrope was born to Geoffrey Scrope [aged 40] and [his wife] Ivette Ros [aged 40].
In 1325 [his son] William Scrope was born to Geoffrey Scrope [aged 40] and [his wife] Ivette Ros [aged 40]. He married Maud Neville, daughter of John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby and Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby.
Before 1331 [his wife] Ivette Ros [aged 45] died.
Before 2nd December 1340 [his son] Thomas Scrope died.
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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Adam Murimuth Continuation. In this year, around the feast of the Nativity1 of Saint John the Baptist [24th June], there died at Ghent Lord Geoffrey Scrope, justice, and Lord Henry, bishop of Lincoln, principal councillors of the king; to whom Master Thomas de Beek succeeded, by provision of Pope Clement VI.
Hoc anno, circa festum Nativitatis sancti Johannis baptistæ, obiit in Gandavo dominus Galfridus Scrope, justiciarius, et dominus Henricus episcopus Lincolniensis, principales consiliarii regis, cui successit Henrico magister Thomas de Beek, per provisionem Clementis papæ sexti.
Note 1. Geoffrey Scrope [aged 55] died on 2nd December 1340. Bishop Henry Burghesh [aged 48] died on 4th December 1340. It appears the author is referring to the Feast of the Nativity rather than the Feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist [24th June].
On 2nd December 1340 Geoffrey Scrope [aged 55] died.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. In this year, around the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, Henry [aged 48],1 Bishop of Lincoln, and Sir Geoffrey Scrope [deceased], the king's chief justice and one of his principal counsellors, died in Ghent.
Hoc anno, circa Nativitatem Domini, Henricus episcopus Lin-colniensis et dominus Galfridus Scroup, iusticiarius, regis principales conciliarii, in Gandavo obierunt.
Note 1. On 4th December 1340 and 2nd December 1340 respectively.
[his son] Thomas Scrope was born to Geoffrey Scrope and Ivette Ros.
[his son] Geoffrey Scrope was born to Geoffrey Scrope and Ivette Ros.
[his father] William Scrope and Constance Gille were married.
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 9 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 11 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 9 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Scrope 
3 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Scrope 4 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon Scrope 5 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Scrope 6 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
GrandFather: William Scrope 7 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Brun
Great x 1 Grandmother: Juliane Brun
Father: William Scrope 8 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Geoffrey Scrope 9 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd