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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In 1470 John Heron was born.
Between 1492 and 1521 John Heron [aged 22] was Treasurer of the Household to King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 34] and King Henry VIII of England and Ireland.
Before 1504 [his son] Giles Heron was born to John Heron [aged 33]. He married 1525 Cecily More.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1509. 9th May 1509.
19. [5735.] Henry VII's Funeral.
File of warrants to John Heron [aged 39], Treasurer of the Chamber, signed at the head by
(1) "Margaret R." [Countess of Richmond] and below by
(2) Chri. aBishop of York [aged 45],
(3) Ric. Bishop of Winchester [aged 61],
(5) John Bishop of Rochester [aged 39],
(6) T. Earl of Arundel [aged 59],
(7) T. Earl of Surrey [aged 66],
(8) C. Somerset [Lord Herbert] [aged 49],
(9) John Yong [aged 44],
(10) Sir Th. Lovell,
(11) Thomas Rowthale, and
(12) Sir John Cutte, or some of them, as executors of Henry VII., for payments towards the expenses of the funeral. The receipts attached indicate that Heron paid the money by the hands of John Daunce. The warrants are:—
F. 11.—24 April 1 Henry VIII. for £1,000 to Andrew Wyndesore, the King's "wardroper" for black cloth for hangings in the chapel, &c. and for liveries to lords and others present. Signed by 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12. (at ƒ. 21., Wyndesore's receipt, 29 Apr.).
F. 12.—26 Apr., £20 to Henry Smyth for timber work on the hearse. Signed by 1,7, 3, 8, 5. (Smyth's receipt, 29 Apr., subscribed)
F. 13.—28 Apr., £40 to Henry Wyatt for messengers and other charges. Sig. 1, 2, 3, 8. (at f. 26a, holograph note by Wyatt, 28 April, enclosing this, as from "thexecutors," to Heron, or in his absence Richard Tryse, with request for the money to be sent in groats by Richard Lee.)
F. 14.—9 May, £666 13s. 4d. to Sir John Cutte for payments to St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey, the four houses of Friars, &c. Sig. 1, 7, 3, 6., 8, 10, 12. (at ƒ. 18, Cutte's receipt, 20 May.)
F. 15.—28 Apr., £500 to Sir John Cutte, for scocheons, banners &c. Sig. 1, 2, 3, 8, 12. (at ƒ. 15a, Cutte's receipt, 30 April.)
F. 17.—26 May, 2,£895 11s. 2d. to Andrew Wyndesore, esq., Master of the Great Wardrobe, for funeral expenses of the Household and for rewards &c. Sig. 1, 7, 3, 8, 5, 10, 11, 9, 12. (at ƒ. 19, Wyndesore's receipt, 8 June.)
F. 20.—25 Apr., £500 to Sir John Cutte for torches &c. Sig. 1, 7, 3, 4, 8, 10, 6. (at ƒ. 16, Cutte's receipt, 28 Apr.)
F. 21a.—1 May, 2,£000 to Andrew Wyndesore, Keeper of the Great Wardrobe, for "divers things." Sig. 1, 7, 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12. (at ƒ. 22, Wyndesore's receipt, 12 May.)
F. 25.—25 Apr., £250 to Andrew Wyndesore and William Pawne, to be employed, by oversight of Sir Thomas Brandon, "for the chare and other apparels belonging to the Stable." Sig. 1, 7, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12. (at ƒ. 24, Pawne's receipt, 1 June.)
F. 26.—Undated, to "Master Doctor Edmayn the King's aumosner," for alms and wages of 330 poor men from Richmond to Westminster £66, 100 torch bearers from St. George's Barre to Westminster £10, alms by the way from Richmond to London £100, choirs of Paulles and Westminster each £10, and 30 "men lakkyng of the Household" to bear staff torches from Richmond to Westminster £6 Sig. 1, 7, 3, 8, 5, 10. (at ƒ. 27, receipt, by Richard Rayner, of the above, on behalf of Dr. "Edname," 8 May.)
F. 28.—5 May, £100 each to Mr. Roger Lupton, Mr. Richard Rawlyns, Mr. (blank) Honywode and Mr. Robert Bekynsals, for alms to be distributed in London and Westminster and the suburbs. Sig. 1, 7, 3, 8, 5, 10. (at ƒ. 23, several receipts signed by Rawlyns, Robert Honywode, Bekynsaw and Lupton, 11 May.)
S.P. Henry VIII., 1, f. 11. R. O.
1st January 1513. The following pieces of plate received from William Holland of London, goldsmith, 1 Jan. 4 Henry VIII.
[Given in three columns (1) name of a person (to whom the article has been presented); (2), description of the article; and (3), its weight.]
Bishop of Canterbury [aged 63], a cup with a gilt cover, 34 oz.
Lady Hastings [aged 30], the same, 30¾ oz.
Sir H. Marney [aged 66], the same, 23 oz.
Mr. Lupton [aged 57], the same, 23 oz.
Sir E. Ponyngs [aged 54], the same, 22¼ oz.
The Abbot of Abingdon, the same, 23¾ oz.
Sir Edward Haward, the same, 24 oz.
The old Lady Guylford [aged 50], a little pot gilt, 17 7/8 oz.
Lady Lucy, the same, 16 7/8 oz. [Possibly Catherine Hastings [aged 35] who married John Melton of Aston Yorkshire 10th Baron Lucy [aged 37] before 1506]
Lady Mountjoy, the same, 16 7/8 oz.
Lady Bulleyn [aged 33], the same, 16½ oz.
Lord Audeley [aged 30], a salt with a gilt cover, 15¾ oz.
The Queen's grace [aged 27], a pair of great pots gilt, 575 oz.
Mrs. Catesby, a proper bottle for rose water, 4 oz.
Mrs. Briget, the same, 3 7/8 oz.
Mrs. Lacy, the same, 4 oz. Which, at 5s. the oz., is £212 11s 10½d.
James Worsley, a proper pot, parcel gilt, 10 oz. Copynger, 8 spoons, part gilt, 9¾ oz., Amadas. Which is, at 4s. the oz., 76s. 6d.
In part payment, old plate to the value of £194 16s. 8d. has been delivered to him. The remainder paid by J. Heron [aged 43].
On the dorse [reverse]:-Holland beseeches the King to reward him for the workmanship of the Queen's great pots, "for he cannot live to make such curious work at the price within written"; and £6 13s. 4d. is added in another hand, making a total due of £28 5s. Signed by the King.
16th January 1513. The Embassy to Brussels. Indenture, 16 Jan. 4 Henry VIII, witnessing receipt by Th. Perteriche, servant to Sir Edward Ponynges [aged 54], Comptroller, from John Jenyns, servant to John Heron [aged 43], treasurer of the Chamber, of Ponynges. costs, "going of embassade to the Duchess of Savoy and the Prince of Castell," £100, Sir Richard Wingfeld's [aged 44] like costs, £66 13s. 4d., and "like costs" of Sir John Wilteshire for 60 days at 10s., John Clyfford, for 40 days at 6s. 8d., William Saxulby for 60 days at 6s. 8d., Th. Perteriche for 60 days at 3s. 4d. and "Lancaster pursuivant" for 60 days at 4s. Signed: Per me Thomam Pertriche.
21st January 1513. Brian Tuke to John Heron [aged 43], Treasurer of the Chamber. John Cavelcante has delivered me bills of exchange for 200 mks. for the master of the Rolls' and Sir Thomas Boleyn's [aged 36] expenses from 1 December last and £100 for Thomas Spynelly [aged 41] "of such money as he hath laid out for the King." I have sent the bills to them. Please deliver Cavalcante the said money "which Mr. Almoner spake to you to pay." London, 21 Jan. 4 Henry VIII.
23rd January 1513. Henry VIII. Warrant to John Heron [aged 43], treasurer of the Chamber, to deliver to Sir Gilbert Talbot [aged 61], lieutenant and captain of Calais, for Sir Edward Poynings [aged 54], various parcels of coins (described and valued), amounting to 10,£000 Greenwich, 23 Jan. 4 Henry VIII.
Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. January 1522. This yere was a great pestilence and death in London and other places of the realm, and many noble capitaines died, as the Lord Broke, Sir Weston Browne, Sir Ihon Heron [aged 52], Sir Edward, Sir John Peche and much other people.
On 15th June 1522 John Heron [aged 52] died.