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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Colley
On 24th October 1872 [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 23) and [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 24) were married.
On 29th July 1889 George Wellesley was born to [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 40) and [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 41).
On 8th June 1900 [his uncle] Henry Wellesley 3rd Duke Wellington (age 54) died at Stratfield Saye House [Map] without issue. His brother [his father] Arthur (age 51) succeeded 4th Duke Wellington, 8th Earl Mornington, 8th Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle, 4th Viscount Wellington of Talavera. [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 51) by marriage Duchess Wellington.
On 30th April 1901 [his brother] Richard Wellesley (age 21) and [his future wife] Louise FitzGerald (age 12) were married. They had two daughters. He the son of [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 52) and [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 52).
In 1902 [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 52) was appointed 824th Knight of the Garter by King Edward VII of the United Kingdom (age 60).
In 1909 [his brother] Arthur Charles Wellesley 5th Duke Wellington (age 32) and [his sister-in-law] Lillian Maud Glen Coats Duchess Wellington (age 24) were married. He the son of [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 59) and [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 60).
On 3rd February 1909 George Wellesley (age 19) was commissioned a second lieutenant (on probation) in the Grenadier Guards. He was confirmed in his rank on 1st February 1911.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 19th November 1910 George Wellesley (age 21) rescued 20 year old May Haviland from an attempted suicide when she threw herself into the Thames from Putney Bridge with two six pound weights attached to her neck.
On 15th September 1912 George Wellesley (age 23) was promoted to lieutenant.
On 30th April 1914 [his brother] Gerald Wellesley 7th Duke Wellington (age 28) and [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Violet Ashton Duchess Wellington (age 24) were married. The marriage necessary to produce an heir. He bi-sexual, she also. The marriage resulted in two children followed by separation although not divorce. She the daughter of Robert Ashton and Lucy Cecilia Dunn-Garnder Countess Scarborough. He the son of [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 65) and [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 65).
On 30th June 1914 George Wellesley (age 24) was appointed a flying officer in the Royal Flying Corps.
On 1st July 1916 George Wellesley (age 26) was appointed a squadron commander of the Central Flying School of the RFC on 1 July 1916, with the permanent rank of captain and the temporary rank of major. He was decorated with the Military Cross in 1916.
On 12th March 1917 George Wellesley (age 27) and Louise FitzGerald (age 28) were married in New York. She was the widow of his older brother Richard Wellesley who had been killed in 1914; Married to Two Siblings. He the son of Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 67) and Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 68).
Louise FitzGerald: On 8th January 1889 she was born. On 30th April 1901 Richard Wellesley and she were married. They had two daughters. He the son of Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington and Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington. On 21st February 1946 she died.
On 24th June 1927 [his mother] Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington (age 78) died at Apsley House, Hyde Park Corner.
On 18th June 1934 [his father] Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington (age 85) died. His son [his brother] Arthur (age 58) succeeded 5th Duke Wellington, 9th Earl Mornington, 9th Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle, 5th Viscount Wellington of Talavera. [his sister-in-law] Lillian Maud Glen Coats Duchess Wellington (age 49) by marriage Duchess Wellington.
On 11th December 1941 [his brother] Arthur Charles Wellesley 5th Duke Wellington (age 65) died. His son [his nephew] Henry (age 29) succeeded 6th Duke Wellington, 10th Earl Mornington, 10th Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle, 6th Viscount Wellington of Talavera.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 16th September 1943 [his nephew] Henry Wellesley 6th Duke Wellington (age 31) was killed during an attempt to take Pimple Hill. He was buried where he lay. He was unmarried and without issue. His uncle [his brother] Gerald (age 58) succeeded 7th Duke Wellington, 11th Earl Mornington, 11th Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle, 7th Viscount Wellington of Talavera. [his sister-in-law] Dorothy Violet Ashton Duchess Wellington (age 54) by marriage Duchess Wellington.
On 21st February 1946 [his wife] Louise FitzGerald (age 57) died.
In 1951 [his brother] Gerald Wellesley 7th Duke Wellington (age 65) was appointed 907th Knight of the Garter by King George VI of the United Kingdom (age 55).
On 25th November 1955 George Wellesley (age 66) and Jean McGillivray were married. He the son of Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington and Kathleen Emily Bulkeley Williams Duchess Wellington.
On 31st July 1967 George Wellesley (age 78) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 31 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 29 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Colley
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Colley aka Wesley 1st Baron Mornington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Ussher
Great x 2 Grandfather: Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sale
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Wellington
Great x 4 Grandfather: Michael Hill
Great x 3 Grandfather: Arthur Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Viscount Dungannon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Trevor 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Hill Countess Mornington
GrandFather: Charles Wellesley
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Pakenham
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Pakenham 1st Baron Longford
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Pakenham 2nd Baron Longford
Great x 4 Grandfather: Michael Cuffe
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cuffe 1st Countess Longford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine "Kitty" Pakenham Duchess Wellington
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hercules Langford Rowley Viscount Langford
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Rowley Baroness Longford
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Rowley 1st Viscountess Langford
Father: Arthur Charles Wellesley 4th Duke Wellington 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Medows
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Medows aka Pierrepont 1st Earl Manvers 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pierrepont 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Pierrepont 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Rachel Bayntun
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Manvers Pierrepont 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Mills of Richmond
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Mills Countess Manvers
GrandMother: Augusta Sophia Anne Pierrepoint 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Brownlow Cecil 8th Earl Exeter 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cecil 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Cecil 1st Marquess Exeter 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Charlotte Garnier
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sophia Cecil 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hoggins
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Hoggins Countess Exeter
George Wellesley 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Williams
Great x 3 Grandfather: Griffith Williams
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Williams 8th Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Williams 9th Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Rowlands
Great x 2 Grandmother: Emma Bridget Rowlands Viscountess Bulkeley
GrandFather: Robert Williams