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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Oswald Birley is in Painters.
On 5th December 1877 [his father] Hugh Birley (age 22) and [his mother] Elizabeth McCorquodale (age 22) were married.
On 31st March 1880 Oswald Birley was born to [his father] Hugh Birley (age 24) and [his mother] Elizabeth McCorquodale (age 24) in New Zealand.
1912. Oswald Birley (age 31). Portrait of William ffolkes 3rd Baronet (age 64).
William ffolkes 3rd Baronet: On 21st November 1847 he was born to Martin William Browne ffolkes. On 24th March 1860 William Browne ffolkes 2nd Baronet died. His grandson William succeeded 3rd Baronet ffolkes of Hillington Hall in Norfolk. On 9th May 1912 William ffolkes 3rd Baronet died. His first cousin William succeeded 4th Baronet ffolkes of Hillington Hall in Norfolk.
On 5th November 1916 [his father] Hugh Birley (age 61) died.
In 1921 Oswald Birley (age 40) and Rhoda Vava Pike (age 21) were married.
1924. Oswald Birley (age 43). Portrait of Fiennes Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis (age 59).
1928. Oswald Birley (age 47). Portrait of Llewelyn Nevill Vaughan Lloyd-Mostyn 3rd Baron Mostyn (age 71).
Llewelyn Nevill Vaughan Lloyd-Mostyn 3rd Baron Mostyn: On 7th April 1856 he was born to Thomas Edward Lloyd-Mostyn and Henrietta Augusta Neville. On 1st May 1879 Llewelyn Nevill Vaughan Lloyd-Mostyn 3rd Baron Mostyn and Mary Florence Edith Clements were married. On 17th March 1884 Edward Lloyd aka Lloyd-Mostyn 2nd Baron Mostyn died. His grandson Llewelyn succeeded 3rd Baron Mostyn of Mostyn in Flintshire, 4th Baronet Lloyd of Pengwerra in Flintshire. On 11th April 1929 Llewelyn Nevill Vaughan Lloyd-Mostyn 3rd Baron Mostyn died. His son Edward succeeded 4th Baron Mostyn of Mostyn in Flintshire, 5th Baronet Lloyd of Pengwerra in Flintshire.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 6th July 1928 [his mother] Elizabeth McCorquodale (age 72) died.
1930. Oswald Birley (age 49). Portrait of Henry Neville 3rd Marquess Abergavenny (age 75).
1930. Oswald Birley (age 49). Portrait of Arthur Holland 3rd Viscount Knutsford (age 74).
Arthur Holland 3rd Viscount Knutsford: On 19th March 1855 Sydney Holland 2nd Viscount Knutsford and Arthur Holland 3rd Viscount Knutsford were born to Henry Holland 1st Viscount Knutsford and Elizabeth Margaret HIbbert Lady Holland. She died two weeks later, On 5th November 1884 he and Ellen Lawson Viscountess Knutsford were married. On 27th July 1931 Sydney Holland 2nd Viscount Knutsford died. His brother Arthur succeeded 3rd Viscount Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 3rd Baron Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 4th Baronet Holland of Sandlebridge. Ellen Lawson Viscountess Knutsford by marriage Viscountess Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire. On 16th January 1935 he died. His son Thurstan succeeded 4th Viscount Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 4th Baron Knutsford of Knutsford in Cheshire, 5th Baronet Holland of Sandlebridge.
1930. Oswald Birley (age 49). Portrait of John Pole-Carew 12th Baronet (age 27).
On 29th May 1930 [his son] Mark Birley was born to Oswald Birley (age 50) and [his wife] Rhoda Vava Pike (age 31). He married 10th March 1954 Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart, daughter of Edward Vane-Tempest-Stewart 8th Marquess of Londonderry and Romaine Combe.
1933. Oswald Birley (age 52). Portrait of Ivor Windsor-Clive 2nd Earl Plymouth (age 43).
Ivor Windsor-Clive 2nd Earl Plymouth: On 4th February 1889 he was born to Robert George Windsor-Clive 1st Earl Plymouth and Alberta Victoria Sarah Caroline Paget Countess Plymouth. On 14th July 1921 Ivor Windsor-Clive 2nd Earl Plymouth and Irene Corona Charteris Countess Plymouth were married. She the daughter of Hugo Charteris 11th Earl of Wemyss and Mary Constance Wyndham Countess Wemyss. He the son of Robert George Windsor-Clive 1st Earl Plymouth and Alberta Victoria Sarah Caroline Paget Countess Plymouth. On 6th March 1923 Robert George Windsor-Clive 1st Earl Plymouth died at Great Cumberland Place. He was buried at Windsor Clive Family Plot, St Bartholomew's Church, Tardebigge. His son Ivor succeeded 2nd Earl Plymouth in Devon. Irene Corona Charteris Countess Plymouth by marriage Countess Plymouth in Devon. On 1st October 1943 Ivor Windsor-Clive 2nd Earl Plymouth died. His son Other succeeded 3rd Earl Plymouth in Devon.
Before 1944. Oswald Birley (age 63). Portrait of Annie Allen Cunard Baroness Wenlock (age 80).
Annie Allen Cunard Baroness Wenlock: In 1863 she was born to Edward Cunard 2nd Baronet. On 15th October 1885 Arthur Lawley 6th Baron Wenlock and she were married. On 14th June 1931 Algernon Lawley 5th Baron Wenlock died. His brother Arthur succeeded 6th Baron Wenlock of Wenlock in Shropshire, 13th Baronet Lawley of Spoonhill in Shropshire which titles he enjoyed for a year dying a year later on the same day as his brother. She by marriage Baroness Wenlock. In 1944 Annie Allen Cunard Baroness Wenlock died.
1945. Oswald Birley (age 64). Portrait of Cynthia Mary Burns Lady Pole (age 36).
Cynthia Mary Burns Lady Pole: On 22nd January 1908 she was born to Walter Spencer Morgan Burns and Ruth Evelyn Cavendish-Bentinck. On 12th June 1928 John Pole-Carew 12th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Pole of Shute House in Devon. They were fifth cousin once removed.
1947. Oswald Birley (age 66). Portrait of Marye Frances Pole-Carew (age 43).
Marye Frances Pole-Carew: On 19th April 1903 she was born to Lieutenant-General Reginald Pole-Carew and Beatrice Butler. In 1987 Marye Frances Pole-Carew died.
Around 1947. Oswald Birley (age 66). Portrait of Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire (age 51).
On 6th May 1952 Oswald Birley (age 72) died.
On 15th June 1981 [his former wife] Rhoda Vava Pike (age 82) died.
Great x 1 Grandfather: Hugh Hornby Birley
GrandFather: Joseph Birley
Great x 1 Grandmother: Cicely Hornby 
Father: Hugh Birley
Great x 1 Grandfather: Hugh McCorquodale
GrandFather: George McCorquodale
Great x 1 Grandmother: Lucia Hall
Mother: Elizabeth McCorquodale
Great x 1 Grandfather: Frederick Honan
GrandMother: Louisa Kate Honan