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
Maternal Family Tree: Maria Skerritt 1702-1738
On 2nd June 1802 [her father] Reverend Gerald Valerian Wellesley (age 31) and [her mother] Emily Maud Cadogan (age 29) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Charles Sloane Cadogan 1st Earl Cadogan (age 73) and [her grandmother] Mary Churchill Countess Cadogan (age 44). He the son of [her grandfather] Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington and [her grandmother] Anne Hill Countess Mornington (age 59).
On 15th November 1808 Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan was born to [her father] Reverend Gerald Valerian Wellesley (age 37) and [her mother] Emily Maud Cadogan (age 35).
On 13th July 1836 Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 24) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 27) were married at Durham Cathedral [Map]. He the son of George Cadogan 3rd Earl Cadogan (age 53). They were first cousins.
In 1838 [her daughter] Emily Frances Cadogan was born to [her husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 25) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 29). Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%. She died aged five in 1843.
On 22nd December 1839 [her mother] Emily Maud Cadogan (age 66) died.
On 12th May 1840 [her son] George Cadogan 5th Earl Cadogan was born to [her husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 28) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 31). Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%. He married 16th January 1865 Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan, daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven, and had issue.
On 23rd June 1841 [her son] Arthur Charles Lewin Cadogan was born to [her husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 29) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 32). Coefficient of inbreeding 6.25%. He married 9th April 1870 Alice Charlotte Arabin.
On 5th October 1843 [her daughter] Emily Frances Cadogan (age 5) died.
On 24th October 1848 [her father] Reverend Gerald Valerian Wellesley (age 77) died.
On 15th September 1864 [her uncle] George Cadogan 3rd Earl Cadogan (age 81) died. His son [her husband] Henry (age 52) succeeded 4th Earl Cadogan, 4th Viscount Chelsea, 6th Baron Cadogan. Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 55) by marriage Countess Cadogan.
On 16th January 1865 [her son] George Cadogan 5th Earl Cadogan (age 24) and [her daughter-in-law] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan (age 20) were married. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 55) and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 48). He the son of [her husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 52) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 56).
On 9th April 1870 [her son] Arthur Charles Lewin Cadogan (age 28) and [her daughter-in-law] Alice Charlotte Arabin were married. He the son of [her husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 58) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 61).
On 11th February 1873 Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 64) died.
The Times. 14th February 1873. DEATH OF Baroness Cadogan. We have to announce the death of the Countess Cadogan (deceased), which occurred on Tuesday at Cadogan House, Belgravia. The deceased, who had long been an invalid, was the third daughter of the late [her father] Hon. and Rev. Gerald V. Wesley D.D., and [her mother] Lady Emily, eldest daughter of the first [her grandfather] Earl Cadogan. She was born in February, 1812 [NOTE. Sources state 16th January 1808], and married July 13, 1836, her cousin, the present [her former husband] Lord Cadogan (age 60), then Viscount Chelsea. She leaves issue four sons and a daughter.
On 8th June 1873 [her former husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 61) died at Woodrising, Norfolk. His son [her son] George (age 33) succeeded 5th Earl Cadogan, 5th Viscount Chelsea, 7th Baron Cadogan. [her daughter-in-law] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan (age 28) by marriage Countess Cadogan.
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.
After 1879. Chapel of the Nine Altars, Durham Cathedral [Map]. Memorials to [her sister] Georgiana Henrietta Louisa Wellesley (age 72), [her former husband] Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan, his wife Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan, and [her sister] Emily Ann Charlotte Wellesley.
Georgiana Henrietta Louisa Wellesley: On 28th December 1806 she was born to Reverend Gerald Valerian Wellesley and Emily Maud Cadogan. On 1st March 1879 Georgiana Henrietta Louisa Wellesley died.
Emily Ann Charlotte Wellesley: On 23rd October 1803 she was born to Reverend Gerald Valerian Wellesley and Emily Maud Cadogan. On 26th January 1836 Robert Liddell and she were married. On 22nd October 1876 Emily Ann Charlotte Wellesley died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 29 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 31 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Colley
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Colley aka Wesley 1st Baron Mornington
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ussher of Bridgefoot
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Ussher
GrandFather: Garrett Wellesley 1st Earl Mornington
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sale
Father: Reverend Gerald Valerian Wellesley
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arthur Hill
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hill
Great x 2 Grandfather: Michael Hill
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arthur Hill aka Hill-Trevor 1st Viscount Dungannon
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Trevor 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Trevor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Trevor
GrandMother: Anne Hill Countess Mornington
Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan 19 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Cadogan 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cadogan
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Cadogan
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Cadogan 2nd Baron Cadogan
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Waller
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hardress Waller
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bridget Waller
GrandFather: Charles Sloane Cadogan 1st Earl Cadogan 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alexander Sloane
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hans Sloane 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sloane Baroness Cadogan
Mother: Emily Maud Cadogan 18 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Winston Churchill 
Great x 3 Grandfather: General Charles Churchill 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drake 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Churchill 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Churchill 16 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Mary Churchill Countess Cadogan 17 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Walpole of Houghton 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Colonel Robert Walpole
Great x 4 Grandmother: Susan Crane
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Walpole 1st Earl Orford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maria Walpole
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maria Skerritt