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: Bridgeman
On 2nd July 1695 Orlando Bridgeman 4th Baronet was born to [his father] John Bridgeman 3rd Baronet (age 27) at Blodwell, Shropshire.
In 1710 [his grandfather] John Bridgeman 2nd Baronet (age 78) died. His son [his father] John (age 42) succeeded 3rd Baronet Bridgeman of Great Lever in Lancashire.
On 9th April 1719 Orlando Bridgeman 4th Baronet (age 23) and Anne Newport Lady Bridgeman were married. She the daughter of Richard Newport 2nd Earl Bradford (age 74) and Mary Wilbraham Countess Bradford (age 57).
On 28th November 1721 Algernon Coote 6th Earl of Mountrath (age 32) and [his sister-in-law] Diana Newport Countess Mountrath were married. She by marriage Countess Mountrath. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] Richard Newport 2nd Earl Bradford (age 77) and [his mother-in-law] Mary Wilbraham Countess Bradford (age 60). He the son of Charles Coote 3rd Earl of Mountrath and Isabella Dormer Countess Mountrath. They were sixth cousins.
On 13th June 1723 [his father-in-law] Richard Newport 2nd Earl Bradford (age 78) died at Soho Square [Map]. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Wroxeter [Map]. His son [his brother-in-law] Henry (age 40) succeeded 3rd Earl Bradford, 3rd Viscount Newport of Bradford in Shropshire, 4th Baron Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire.
In 1724 [his brother-in-law] Henry Newport 3rd Earl Bradford (age 41) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire.
On 7th September 1725 [his son] Henry Bridgeman 1st Baron Bradford was born to Orlando Bridgeman 4th Baronet (age 30) and [his wife] Anne Newport Lady Bridgeman. He married 12th July 1755 Elizabeth Simpson Baroness Bradford and had issue.
On 23rd December 1734 [his brother-in-law] Henry Newport 3rd Earl Bradford (age 51) died at St James's Palace [Map]. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map] on 20th January 1734. His brother [his brother-in-law] Thomas (age 38) succeeded 4th Earl Bradford, 4th Viscount Newport of Bradford in Shropshire, 5th Baron Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire.
Before 1739 John Vanderbank (age 44). Portrait of Orlando Bridgeman 4th Baronet (age 43).
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On 21st July 1747 [his father] John Bridgeman 3rd Baronet (age 79) died. His son Orlando (age 52) succeeded 4th Baronet Bridgeman of Great Lever in Lancashire. [his wife] Anne Newport Lady Bridgeman by marriage Lady Bridgeman of Great Lever in Lancashire.
On 19th August 1752 [his wife] Anne Newport Lady Bridgeman died. She was buried at Weston Park, Staffordshire.
On 12th July 1755 [his son] Henry Bridgeman 1st Baron Bradford (age 29) and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Simpson Baroness Bradford (age 20) were married.
1761. Francis Cotes (age 34). Portrait of Orlando Bridgeman 4th Baronet (age 65).
On 25th July 1764 Orlando Bridgeman 4th Baronet (age 69) died. His son Henry (age 38) succeeded 5th Baronet Bridgeman of Great Lever in Lancashire.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Bridgeman 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Bridgeman
Great x 2 Grandfather: Bishop John Bridgeman
Great x 1 Grandfather: Orlando Bridgeman 1st Baronet
GrandFather: John Bridgeman 2nd Baronet
Father: John Bridgeman 3rd Baronet