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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Paternal Family Tree: Berkeley
In or before 1506 [his father] Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 35) and [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 25) were married.
Around 1506 Maurice Berkeley was born to [his father] Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 36) and [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 26).
In 1514 [his father] Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 44) died at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.
In or after 1514 [his step-father] John Fitzjames (age 49) and [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 34) were married; her second husband.
by 1537 Maurice Berkeley (age 31) was a member of Thomas Cromwell's (age 52) household.
In 1539 Maurice Berkeley (age 33) was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 47).
In 1541 [his son] Henry Berkeley was born to Maurice Berkeley (age 35) and [his future wife] Catherine Blount (age 23) at Bruton, Somerset. He married 1576 his half sixth cousin Margaret Lygon and had issue.
After 1541 Maurice Berkeley (age 35) and Catherine Blount (age 23) were married. They were sixth cousins.
In 1544 Maurice Berkeley (age 38) was appointed Constable of Berkeley Castle.
In 1544 Maurice Berkeley (age 38) commanded a troop of light horse in the Italian War of 1542-46.
In 1544 Maurice Berkeley (age 38) was appointed Chief Banner Bearer of England succeeding his elder brother [his brother] John Berkeley (age 38).
Before 8th May 1546 [his mother] Elizabeth Coningsby (age 66) died.
In 1547 Maurice Berkeley (age 41) was elected MP Somerset.
In 1547 Maurice Berkeley (age 41) was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber to King Edward VI of England and Ireland (age 9).
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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In March 1553 Maurice Berkeley (age 47) was elected MP Bletchingley.
Before 15th March 1554 Thomas Wyatt (age 33) surrendered to Maurice Berkeley (age 48).
In 1555 [his sister-in-law] Mary Blount (age 57) died.
On 25th September 1558 [his sister-in-law] Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter (age 55) died.
On 12th March 1560. [Some sources say 25th February 1560] [his former wife] Catherine Blount (deceased) died. On 11th August 1580 Maurice Berkeley (age 54) died. Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map]. Elizabethan Period recumbent effigies of himself and his two wives Catherine Blount and [his future wife] Elizabeth Sands (age 27) in an Easter sepulchre-type recess with double round arched front, Corinthian pilasters and strapwork panels. Ruff. Panel with quartered arms 1 
Berkeley Arms 2 probably 
Tiptoft Arms, possibly Wotton Arms 3 Unknown Arms 4 probably 
Babington Arms, possibly 
Zouche Arms differenced with a label three points, overall a Crescent.
Catherine Blount: John Champernowne and she were married. Around 1518 she was born to William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy and Alice Keble Baroness Mountjoy. After 1541 Maurice Berkeley and she were married. They were sixth cousins. Henry Machyn's Diary. 12th March 1560. The xij day of Marche was bered at Dyttun [Map] my lade Barkeley, the wyff of ser Mores Barthelay knyght, with a penon of armes and a iiij dosen of skochyons, and a harold of armes, master Rychemond.
Elizabeth Sands: In 1533 she was born to Anthony Sands of Throwley in Kent. In 1562 Maurice Berkeley and she were married. The difference in their ages was 27 years. On 16th June 1585 she died at Berkeley House. She was buried at the St James' Church, Clerkenwell where a monument was constructed. Before 16th June 1685 she was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 12th March 1560. The xij day of Marche was bered at Dyttun [Map] my [his former wife] lade Barkeley (deceased), the wyff of ser Mores Barthelay (age 54) knyght, with a penon of armes and a iiij dosen of skochyons, and a harold of armes, master Rychemond.
In 1562 Maurice Berkeley (age 56) and Elizabeth Sands (age 29) were married. The difference in their ages was 27 years.
In 1563 Maurice Berkeley (age 57) was elected MP Somerset.
In 1567 Maurice Berkeley (age 61) was appointed High Sheriff of Dorset and High Sheriff of Somerset.
In 1572 Maurice Berkeley (age 66) was elected MP Somerset.
Around 1576 [his son] Henry Berkeley (age 35) and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Lygon (age 36) were married. They were half sixth cousins.
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.
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Before 1581 Maurice Berkeley commissioned the building of Berkeley House.
On 16th June 1585 [his former wife] Elizabeth Sands (age 52) died at Berkeley House. She was buried at the St James' Church, Clerkenwell where a monument was constructed.
John Champernowne and Catherine Blount were married.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 19 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 3rd Baron Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery de Vere 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Botetort 2nd Baron Botetort
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Botetort 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joyce Zouche 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Dynham
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Dynham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Courtenay 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Muriel Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: William Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Father: Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 
GrandMother: Anne Stafford
Maurice Berkeley 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Coningsby
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Coningsby
GrandFather: Humphrey Coningsby
Mother: Elizabeth Coningsby
GrandMother: Alice Ferriby