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: Bourchier
In 1374 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu was born to William Bourchier and Eleanor Louvaine [aged 28].
In 1375 [his father] William Bourchier died.
Around 1390 Thomas Stafford 3rd Earl Stafford [aged 22] and [his future wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 7] were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She would, eight years later marry his younger brother Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford [aged 11]; an example of a Married to Two Siblings. She the daughter of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 34] and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 24]. He the son of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 56]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 5th October 1397 [his mother] Eleanor Louvaine [aged 52] died.
On 28th June 1398 Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford [aged 20] and [his future wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She had, around eight years previously, married his brother Thomas Stafford 3rd Earl Stafford who had died in 1392; an example of Married to Two Siblings. She the daughter of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 32]. He the son of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 64]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1404 [his son] Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 30] and [his future wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 21]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married before 25th April 1426 his second cousin Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex, daughter of Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge and Anne Mortimer, and had issue.
In 1405 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 31] and Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester.
On 25th October 1415 [his son] William Bourchier Baron Fitzwarin was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 41] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 32]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married (1) before 25th October 1445 Thomasine Hankford 9th Baroness Fitzwarin, daughter of Richard Hankford and Elizabeth Fitzwarin 8th Baroness Fitzwarin, and had issue (2) in or before 1474 Catherine Affeton.
25th October 1415. At the Battle of Agincourt the English included: Louis Robbessart [aged 25], Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick [aged 33], William Botreaux 3rd Baron Botreaux [aged 26], William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 41], Thomas Rokeby [aged 35], John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke [aged 51], Edward Courtenay [aged 30], Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell [aged 12], Thomas Dutton [aged 19], Edmund Ferrers 6th Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 29], Roger Fiennes [aged 31], Henry Fitzhugh 3rd Baron Fitzhugh [aged 57], John Grey [aged 28], John Grey 1st Earl Tankerville [aged 31], William Harrington [aged 42] as the King's Standard Bearer, Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford [aged 37], Piers Legh [aged 26] (wounded), Alfred Longford, Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury [aged 27], Thomas Morley 6th Baron Marshal 5th Baron Morley [aged 22], John Rodney, Richard Scrope 3rd Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 22], Robert Strelley [aged 18], James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet [aged 17], Robert Umfraville [aged 52], Thomas West 2nd Baron West [aged 35], Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby [aged 30]. Thomas Erpingham [aged 60] commanded the archers. Thomas Rempston [aged 26] was present. Thomas Strickland [aged 48] carried the Banner of St George.
Thomas Tunstall [aged 57] was killed.
The Welsh included: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert [aged 35], Walter Sais [aged 95], Roger Vaughan [aged 70] and his son Roger Vaughan [aged 5]. Owen Tudor [aged 15] is believed to have been present as a squire.
Around 1416 [his son] John Bourchier 1st Baron Berners was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 42] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 33]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married after 10th October 1441 Margery Berners Baroness Berners and had issue.
Around 1417 [his daughter] Eleanor Bourchier Duchess Norfolk was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 43] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 34]. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She married before 18th October 1444 her second cousin once removed John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk, son of John Mowbray 2nd Duke of Norfolk and Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk, and had issue.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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Around 1418 [his son] Cardinal Thomas Bourchier was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 44] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 35]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1419 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 45] was created 1st Count Eu. [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 36] by marriage Countess Eu.
In 1419 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 45] was appointed Captain Dieppe.
On 28th May 1420 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 46] died at Troyes, France [Map]. He was buried at Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucestershire [Map]. His son Henry [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Count Eu.
In 1438 [his former wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 55] died. She was buried at Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucestershire [Map].
[his father] William Bourchier and [his mother] Eleanor Louvaine were married.
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Bourchier 
GrandFather: Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier
Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter of Colchester
Great x 1 Grandmother: Helen of Colchester
Father: William Bourchier
GrandMother: Margaret Prayers Baroness Bourchier
William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu
GrandFather: John Louvain
Mother: Eleanor Louvaine