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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On or before 14th May 1727, the date he was baptised, Thomas Gainsborough was born to John Gainsborough and Mary Burroughs in Sudbury, Suffolk [Map].
In 1748 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 20] and Margaret Somerset aka Burr [aged 20] were married. Her father, Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort, had settled a £200 annuity on her. She the daughter of Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort.
Around 1748 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 20]. Portrait of the artist's with his wife Margaret Somerset aka Burr [aged 20] and their two children.
Margaret Somerset aka Burr: In 1728 she was born to Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort. In 1748 Thomas Gainsborough and she were married. Her father, Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort, had settled a £200 annuity on her. She the daughter of Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort. On 17th December 1798 Margaret Somerset aka Burr died. She was buried with her husband Thomas Gainsborough at St Anne's Church Kew, Surrey.
1763 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 35]. Portrait of the Frances Wheeler [aged 37].
Frances Wheeler: Around 1726 she was born.
In 1765 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 37]. Portrait of Francis Greville 1st Earl Brooke Warwick Castle.
Around 1767 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 39]. Portrait of Elizabeth Montagu Duchess Buccleuch [aged 23].
Elizabeth Montagu Duchess Buccleuch: On 29th May 1743 she was born to George Brudenell aka Montagu 1st Duke Montagu and Mary Montagu Duchess of Montagu. On 2nd May 1767 Henry Scott 3rd Duke Buccleuch and she were married at Montagu House Whitehall Palace. She by marriage Duchess Buccleuch. She the daughter of George Brudenell aka Montagu 1st Duke Montagu and Mary Montagu Duchess of Montagu. He the son of Francis Scott and Caroline Campbell 1st Baroness Greenwich. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
In 1767 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 39]. Portrait of George Venables-Vernon 2nd Baron Vernon [aged 31]. Known as The Hunting Lord.Southampton Art Gallery.
In 1767 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 39]. Portrait of Augustus John Hervey 3rd Earl Bristol [aged 42].
On 10th December 1768 the Royal Academy was founded through a personal act of King George III [aged 30] "to establish a school or academy of design for the use of students in the arts" with an annual exhibition.
The founder members included:
Joshua Reynolds [aged 45]; President.
Angelica Kauffmann [aged 27]; one of two female founding members.
Nathaniel Dance-Holland [aged 33]
Francis Cotes [aged 42]
Thomas Gainsborough [aged 41]
William Tyler [aged 40]
William Hoare [aged 61]
Johan Joseph Zoffany [aged 35].
Around 1770 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 42]. Portrait of John Russell 4th Duke Bedford [aged 59].
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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1771 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 43]. Portrait of Elizabeth Wrottesley Duchess Grafton [aged 25].
Elizabeth Wrottesley Duchess Grafton: On 1st November 1745 she was born to Richard Wrottesley 7th Baronet and Mary Leveson-Gower Lady Wrottesley. On 24th June 1769, three months after his divorce from his first wife Anne Liddell Duchess Grafton, Augustus Henry Fitzroy 3rd Duke Grafton and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Grafton. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 25th May 1822 Elizabeth Wrottesley Duchess Grafton died.
1771 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 43]. Portrait of Barbara Yelverton [aged 10].
Barbara Yelverton: On 19th June 1760 she was born to Henry Yelverton 3rd Earl of Sussex. On 18th December 1775 Colonel Edward Thoroton Gould and she were married at Gretna Green, Dumfrieshire. She the daughter of Henry Yelverton 3rd Earl of Sussex. On 8th April 1781 Barbara Yelverton died.
1772 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 44]. Portrait of the Caroline Brudenell Lady Fludyer.
Caroline Brudenell Lady Fludyer: she was born to James Brudenell. In 1762 Samuel Fludyer 1st Baronet and Caroline Brudenell were married. She by marriage Lady Fludyer. In 1803 Caroline Brudenell Lady Fludyer died.
1774 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 46]. Portrait of Richard Paul Jodrell of Lewknor [aged 28].
Richard Paul Jodrell of Lewknor: On 13th November 1745 he was born. On 19th May 1772 Richard Paul Jodrell of Lewknor and Virtue Hase were married. On 26th January 1831 Richard Paul Jodrell of Lewknor died.
In 1775 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 47]. Portrait of William Henry Hanover 1st Duke Gloucester and Edinburgh [aged 31].
1777 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 49]. Portrait of the Mary Cathcart [aged 19].
Mary Cathcart: On 1st March 1757 she was born to Charles Cathcart 9th Lord Cathcart and Jane Hamilton. On 26th June 1792 she died off the coast near Hyères, France.
Between 1777 and 1788. Thomas Gainsborough [aged 49]. Portrait of Mary Manners [aged 20].
Mary Manners: After 1st January 1756 she was born to Robert Manners and Mary Digges. On 31st January 1777 William Hamilton Nisbet and she were married. In 1834 Mary Manners died.
In 1777 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 49]. Portrait of Henry Frederick Hanover 1st Duke Cumberland and Strathearn [aged 31].
1777 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 49]. Portrait of the Mary Cathcart [aged 19].
Around 1778 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of Anne Hamilton [aged 11].
Around 1778. Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of the artist's wife Margaret Somerset aka Burr [aged 50].
Around 1778 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of Grace Elliott.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Around 1778 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of the Grace Dalrymple [aged 24].
Around 1778 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of Grace Elliott.
Around 1778 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of Philip Stanhope 5th Earl Chesterfield [aged 22].
Around 1778 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of the Grace Dalrymple [aged 24].
Around 1778 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 50]. Portrait of Anne Thistlethwayte Countess Chesterfield.
Anne Thistlethwayte Countess Chesterfield: she was born to Robert Thistlethwayte and Ann Bathurst. On 20th August 1777 Philip Stanhope 5th Earl Chesterfield and she were married. She by marriage Countess Chesterfield. In October 1798 she died.
Around 1779-1783 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 51]. Portrait of John Augustus "Jack" Hervey [aged 21].
Around 1780 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 52]. Portrait of Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal [aged 40].
In 1780 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 52]. Portrait of John Montagu 4th Earl Sandwich [aged 61].
In 1780 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 52]. Portrait of John Hobart 2nd Earl Buckinghamshire [aged 56].
1781. Thomas Gainsborough [aged 53]. Portrait of Mary "Perdita" Darby aka Robinson [aged 23].
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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In 1781 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 53]. Portrait of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 42].
In 1781 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 53]. Portrait of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 42].
Around 1782 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 54]. Portrait of Charles Cornwallis 1st Marquess Cornwallis [aged 43].
In 1782 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 54]. Portrait of King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 19].
In 1782 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 54]. Portrait of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 43].
In 1782 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 54]. Portrait of Princess Charlotte Hanover [aged 15].
Princess Charlotte Hanover: On 29th September 1766 she was born to King George III of Great Britain and Ireland and Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England at Buckingham House [Map]. On 18th May 1797 King Frederick Wilhelm Karl Württemberg and she were married. She the daughter of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland and Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland. On 5th October 1828 Princess Charlotte Hanover died.
In 1782 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 54]. Portrait of King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 43].
Around 1783 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 55]. Portrait of Charles Cornwallis 1st Marquess Cornwallis [aged 44].
In 1783 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 55]. Portrait of Philadelphia Rowley Lady Cotton [aged 19].
Philadelphia Rowley Lady Cotton: On 14th January 1763 she was born to Admiral Joshua Rowley 1st Baronet. On 27th February 1798 Admiral Charles Cotton 5th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Cotton of Landwade in Cambridgeshire. On 5th April 1855 Philadelphia Rowley Lady Cotton died.
In 1783 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 55]. Portrait of Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 25].
Around 1784 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 56]. Portrait of Henry Frederick Hanover 1st Duke Cumberland and Strathearn [aged 38] and Anne Luttrell Duchess Cumberland and Strathearn [aged 40].
Anne Luttrell Duchess Cumberland and Strathearn: On 24th January 1743 she was born to Simon Luttrell 1st Earl Carhampton and Judith Maria Lawes Countess Carhampton at Marylebone. In 1771 Henry Frederick Hanover 1st Duke Cumberland and Strathearn and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Cumberland and Strathearn. She the daughter of Simon Luttrell 1st Earl Carhampton and Judith Maria Lawes Countess Carhampton. He the son of Frederick Louis Hanover Prince of Wales and Augusta Saxe Coburg Altenburg. On 28th December 1808 Anne Luttrell Duchess Cumberland and Strathearn died.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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Around 1784 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 56]. Portrait of Francis Rawdon-Hastings 1st Marquess Hastings [aged 29].
Around 1785 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 57]. Portrait of Captain Charles Phipps [aged 31].
Captain Charles Phipps: On 10th December 1753 he was born to Constantine Phipps 1st Baron Mulgrave and Lepell Hervey Baroness Mulgrave. He a great x 2 grandson of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 20th October 1786 Captain Charles Phipps died at Mulgrave Castle [Map].
1785 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 57]. Portrait of the Charles Wolfram Cornwall [aged 49].
Charles Wolfram Cornwall: On 15th June 1735 he was born. In 1789 he was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons which position he held until his death in 1789.
1785 . Thomas Gainsborough [aged 57]. Portrait of the Sarah Kemble aka Siddons [aged 29].
Sarah Kemble aka Siddons: On 5th July 1755 she was born to Roger Kemble and Sarah "Sally" Ward in Brecon, Brecknockshire. In 1773 William Siddons and she were married. They had seven children. In 1804 William Siddons and Sarah Kemble aka Siddons separated. On 8th June 1831 she died.
Around 1785 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 57]. Portrait of Charles Howard 11th Duke of Norfolk [aged 38].
1786 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 58]. Portrait of Admiral Thomas Graves 1st Baron Graves [aged 60].
Admiral Thomas Graves 1st Baron Graves: On 23rd October 1725 he was born to Rear-Admiral Thomas Graves and Elizabeth Budgell. In 1771 Admiral Thomas Graves 1st Baron Graves and Elizabeth Williams were married. On 24th October 1794 Admiral Thomas Graves 1st Baron Graves was created 1st Baron Graves of Gravesend in Londonderry. On 9th February 1802 Admiral Thomas Graves 1st Baron Graves died. His son Thomas succeeded 2nd Baron Graves of Gravesend in Londonderry.
Around 1786 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 58]. Portrait of Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 28].
In 1787 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 59]. Portrait of Edward Augustus Hanover 1st Duke Kent and Strathearn [aged 19].
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of John Hobart 2nd Earl Buckinghamshire [aged 64].
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of George Nugent Temple Grenville 1st Marquess Buckingham [aged 35].
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of Richard Brooke 5th Baronet [aged 35].
Richard Brooke 5th Baronet: Around 1753 he was born to Richard Brooke 4th Baronet. On 2nd May 1780 Richard Brooke 5th Baronet and Mary Cunliffe Lady Brooke were married. On 6th July 1781 Richard Brooke 4th Baronet died. His son Richard succeeded 5th Baronet Brooke of Norton Priory in Cheshire. Mary Cunliffe Lady Brooke by marriage Lady Brooke of Norton Priory in Cheshire. On 6th March 1795 Richard Brooke 5th Baronet died. His son Richard succeeded 6th Baronet Brooke of Norton Priory in Cheshire.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 51].
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of George Sackville aka Germain 1st Viscount Sackville.
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland.
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer.
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61]. Portrait of Henry Scott 3rd Duke Buccleuch [aged 41].
On 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough [aged 61] died. He was buried at St Anne's Church Kew, Surrey.
On 17th December 1798 [his former wife] Margaret Somerset aka Burr [aged 70] died. She was buried with her husband Thomas Gainsborough at St Anne's Church Kew, Surrey.
Before 1827 . Thomas Gainsborough. Portrait of the Penelope Pitt Viscountess Ligonier [aged 77]. Collection of The Huntingdon, San Marino.