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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Before 12th December 1518 [her future husband] George Rolle [aged 23] and Eleanor Dacres [aged 28] were married.
Before 1522 [her future husband] George Rolle [aged 26] and Elizabeth Ashton were married.
Before 1533 [her future husband] Leonard Chamberlain [aged 29] and Dorothy Newdigate [aged 27] were married.
Before 1545 Henry Brinklow and Margery Unknown were married.
On or before 20th January 1546 [her husband] Henry Brinklow died.
In 1549 [her husband] Stephen Vaughan Merchant [aged 47] died.
Before 23rd June 1551 George Rolle [aged 56] and Margery Unknown were married.
Before 20th November 1552 Leonard Chamberlain [aged 48] and Margery Unknown were married.
On 20th November 1552 [her husband] George Rolle [aged 57] died.
Before 29th November 1554 [her husband] Leonard Chamberlain [aged 50] and Dorothy Andrews of Woodstock were married.
Before 5th May 1557 Margery Unknown died.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 5th May 1557. The v day of May a-for non was bered my lade Chamburlayne, the wyff of ser [her husband] Lenard Chamburlayne [aged 53] of Oxffordshyre, with ij whyt branchys and a fayr [herse] of wax, and v dosen penselles and skochyons and ij dosen of [staff-torches]; xxiiij powre men and women dyd bere them, and they [had] gownes of fyne brode cottun of blake; and iiij baners borne abowte her; and with prestes and clarkes, a grett compene of mornars; and ther dyd pryche att the masse docthur Chadsay, and he mad a godly sermon; and after a grett dener; and master Longkaster was the harold; and ther was a grett dolle of money at the cherche.
After 5th May 1557 [her former husband] Leonard Chamberlain [aged 53] and Anne Blount [aged 57] were married.
Around August 1561 [her former husband] Leonard Chamberlain [aged 57] died at Guernsey [Map].