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: Howe
Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe was born to Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe and Mary Hartop.
On 10th March 1758 [her father] Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe [aged 32] and [her mother] Mary Hartop were married.
On 6th July 1758 [her uncle] George Howe 3rd Viscount Howe [aged 33] was killed at Fort Carillon Ticonderoga, Essex County New York State at the Battle of Carillon. His brother [her father] Richard [aged 32] succeeded 4th Viscount Howe, 4th Baron Glenawley.
On 22nd July 1788 [her father] Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe [aged 62] was created 1st Earl Howe, 1st Baron Howe. The Baroney was created with a special remainder to his daughter Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe.
On 11th December 1796 [her son] Richard William Penn Curzon Howe 1st Earl Howe was born to Penn Curzon [aged 39] and Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe. He married (1) 19th March 1820 Harriet Georgiana Brudenell Countess Howe, daughter of Robert Brudenell 6th Earl Cardigan and Penelope Cooke Countess Cardigan, and had issue (2) 9th October 1845 Anne Gore Countess Howe and had issue.
On 5th August 1799 [her father] Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe [aged 73] died. Earl Howe, Viscount Howe extinct. His daughter Sophia succeeded 2nd Baroness Howe. His brother [her uncle] William [aged 69] succeeded 5th Viscount Howe, 5th Baron Glenawley. Frances Conolly Viscountess Howe by marriage Viscountess Howe.
Before 1805 [her future husband] Jonathan Wathen Phipps aka Waller 1st Baronet [aged 35] and Elizabeth Slack [aged 30] were married. They had four children. They were half first cousins.
In 1812 Jonathan Wathen Phipps aka Waller 1st Baronet [aged 42] and Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe were married. There was no issue from the marriage. She the daughter of Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe and Mary Hartop.
On 19th March 1820 [her son] Richard William Penn Curzon Howe 1st Earl Howe [aged 23] and [her daughter-in-law] Harriet Georgiana Brudenell Countess Howe [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of Robert Brudenell 6th Earl Cardigan [aged 50] and Penelope Cooke Countess Cardigan [aged 50].
In 1835 Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe died. Her son Richard [aged 38] succeeded 3rd Baron Howe. Harriet Georgiana Brudenell Countess Howe [aged 36] by marriage Baroness Howe.
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 1st January 1853 [her former husband] Jonathan Wathen Phipps aka Waller 1st Baronet [aged 83] died at Cavendish Square Marylebone. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church Marylebone. His son [her former step-son] Thomas [aged 47] succeeded 2nd Baronet Waller of Braywick Lodge in Berkshire.
Penn Curzon and Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe were married. She the daughter of Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe and Mary Hartop.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King William I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of King Philip IV of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Grobham Howe
Great x 1 Grandfather: Scrope Howe 1st Viscount Howe 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Scrope 10th Baron Scrope of Bolton 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Emanuel Scrope 1st Earl of Sunderland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philadelphia Carey Baroness Scrope Bolton 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Annabella Scrope 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Martha Jeanes
GrandFather: Emanuel Howe 2nd Viscount Howe 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Giles Alington 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Giles Alington 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Alington 1st Baron Alington 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Juliana Alington Viscountess Howe 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lionel Tollemache 1st Baronet 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lionel Tollemache 2nd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Cromwell 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tollemache Baroness Alington 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stanhope 1st Baron Stanhope 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanhope Lady Talmash 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Macwilliams Baroness Stanhope
Father: Richard Howe 1st Earl Howe 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Johan Adolf Von Kielmansegg
GrandMother: Sophia Von Keilmansegg Viscountess Howe 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Hanover Duke Brunswick-Lüneburg 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ernest Augustus Hanover Elector Brunswick-Lüneburg 11 x Great Grand Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis V of Hesse-Darmstadt 9 x Great Grand Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Eleonore Hesse Darmstadt Duchess Brunswick-Lüneburg 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sophia Charlotte Hanover Countess of Darlington and Leinster 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Sophia Howe 2nd Baroness Howe 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Mary Hartop