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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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Maternal Family Tree: Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey 1700-1768
Around 1700 Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey was born to [her father] Nicholas Wedig Lepell.
On 25th October 1720 John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 24) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 20) were married. He the son of John Hervey 1st Earl Bristol (age 55) and Elizabeth Felton Countess Bristol (age 43).
In 1721 [her son] George William Hervey 2nd Earl Bristol was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 24) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 21).
On 15th April 1723 [her daughter] Lepell Hervey Baroness Mulgrave was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 26) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 23). She married 26th February 1743 Constantine Phipps 1st Baron Mulgrave and had issue.
On 19th May 1724 [her son] Augustus John Hervey 3rd Earl Bristol was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 27) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 24). He married 4th August 1744 Elizabeth Chudleigh Duchess Kingston upon Hull.
In 1726 [her daughter] Mary Hervey was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 29) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 26). She married 31st October 1745 George Fitzgerald and had issue.
Around 1728. John Fayram. Portrait of Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 28).
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 1st August 1730 [her son] Frederick Augustus Hervey 4th Earl Bristol was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 33) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 30). He married before 1753 his half fourth cousin once removed Elizabeth Davers Countess Bristol, daughter of Jermyn Davers 4th Baronet and Margaretta Green, and had issue.
On 13th May 1732 [her son] General William Hervey was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 35) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 32).
In 1733 [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 36) by writ of acceleration 2nd Baron Hervey of Ickworth in Suffolk. Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 33) by marriage Baroness Hervey of Ickworth in Suffolk.
In 1734 [her son] Amelia Caroline Nassau Hervey was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 37) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 34).
In 1736 [her son] Caroline Hervey was born to [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 39) and Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 36).
On 26th February 1743 [her son-in-law] Constantine Phipps 1st Baron Mulgrave (age 20) and [her daughter] Lepell Hervey Baroness Mulgrave (age 19) were married.
On 5th August 1743 [her husband] John Hervey 2nd Baron Hervey (age 46) died. His son [her son] George (age 22) succeeded 3rd Baron Hervey of Ickworth in Suffolk.
On 4th August 1744 [her son] Augustus John Hervey 3rd Earl Bristol (age 20) and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Chudleigh Duchess Kingston upon Hull (age 23) were married privately at Lainston House Winchester. There marriage remained a secret until she wanted to marry Evelyn Pierrepont 2nd Duke Kingston upon Hull (age 33) in 1769 at which time she initiated a suit of jactitation against him requiring him to prove they were married. The court found in her favour.
On 31st October 1745 [her son-in-law] George Fitzgerald and [her daughter] Mary Hervey (age 19) were married. They were separated in 1754.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Before 1753 [her son] Frederick Augustus Hervey 4th Earl Bristol (age 22) and [her daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Davers Countess Bristol (age 19) were married. They were half fourth cousin once removed.
Around 1762. Allan Ramsay (age 48). Portrait of Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 62).
Around 1765 Johan Joseph Zoffany (age 31). Portrait of Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 65).
On 2nd September 1768 Mary Lepell Baroness Hervey (age 68) died.