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: Fitzmaurice
Before 2nd May 1737 [his father] John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne (age 31) and [his mother] Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Fitzmurice 1st Earl Kerry (age 69) and [his grandmother] Anne Petty Countess Kerry. They were half first cousins.
On 2nd May 1737 William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne was born to [his father] John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne (age 31) and [his mother] Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne at Dublin [Map].
Under a Chancery decree of 1739 the park and Bowood House [Map], which Sir Orlando Bridgeman (age 60) had built on it, were acquired by Richard Long, Sir Orlando's principal creditor, who sold them in 1754 to [his father] John Petty (age 33), earl of Shelburne. Petty devised them to his wife [his mother] Mary, who in 1761 or 1762 conveyed them to her son William Petty (age 1), earl of Shelburne (cr. marquess of Lansdowne 1784, d. 1805).
On 17th April 1751 Henry Petty 1st Earl Shelburne (age 75) died. Earl Shelburne in County Wexford, Baron Shelburne extinct. His estates were inherited by his nephew [his father] John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne (age 45) who changed his surname to Petty-Fitzmaurice.
In 5th June 1753 [his father] John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne (age 47) was created 1st Earl Shelburne in County Wexford. [his mother] Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne by marriage Countess Shelburne in County Wexford.
Around 1760 Anne aka Nancy Parsons Viscountess Maynard (age 25) was working as a prostitute with clients including William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 22).
On 14th May 1761 [his father] John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne (age 55) died. His son William (age 24) succeeded 2nd Earl Shelburne in County Wexford.
On 3rd February 1765 William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 27) and Sophia Carteret Countess Shelburne (age 19) were married at Chapel Royal, St James's Palace. She by marriage Countess Shelburne in County Wexford. She the daughter of John Carteret 2nd Earl Granville and Sophia Fermor Countess Granville. He the son of John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne and Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne.
On 2nd May 1765 [his son] John Petty 2nd Marquess Lansdowne was born to William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 28) and [his wife] Sophia Carteret Countess Shelburne (age 19).
On 5th January 1771 [his wife] Sophia Carteret Countess Shelburne (age 25) died.
After 5th January 1771 William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 33) and Louisa Fitzpatrick Marchioness Lansdowne (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess Shelburne in County Wexford. She the daughter of John Fitzpatrick 1st Earl Upper Ossory and Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory. He the son of John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne and Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne.
On 14th July 1776 George Greville 2nd Earl Warwick and Brooke (age 29) and [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Vernon Countess Warwick and Brooke (age 15) were married at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She by marriage Countess Warwick, Countess Brooke Warwick Castle. She the daughter of Richard Vernon (age 50) and Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory. He the son of Francis Greville 1st Earl Brooke Warwick Castle 1st Earl Warwick and Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Brooke Warwick Castle and Warwick (age 56). They were fourth cousin once removed.
In 1777 [his brother] Thomas Fitzmaurice Earl Orkney (age 34) and [his sister-in-law] Mary O'Brien 4th Countess Orkney (age 21) were married. She the daughter of Murrough O'Brien 1st Marquess Thomond (age 51) and Mary O'Brien 3rd Countess Orkney and Inchquin (age 56). He the son of [his father] John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne and [his mother] Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne.
On 2nd July 1780 [his son] Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice 3rd Marquess Lansdowne was born to William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 43) and [his wife] Louisa Fitzpatrick Marchioness Lansdowne (age 25). He married 1808 Louisa Emma Fox-Strangways Marchioness of Lansdowne, daughter of Henry Thomas Fox-Strangways 2nd Earl of Ilchester and Mary Theresa O'Grady Countess of Ilchester, and had issue.
On 9th December 1780 [his mother] Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne died.
In 1782 King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 43) created new Garter Knights as follows:
596th King William IV of the United Kingdom (age 16),
597th Charles Lennox 3rd Duke Richmond (age 46),
598th William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire (age 34),
599th William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 44),
600th Charles Manners 4th Duke Rutland (age 27).
In 1784 William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 46) was created 1st Marquess Lansdowne. [his wife] Louisa Fitzpatrick Marchioness Lansdowne (age 29) by marriage Marchioness Lansdowne.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 7th August 1789 [his wife] Louisa Fitzpatrick Marchioness Lansdowne (age 34) died.
On 10th May 1790 Mary O'Brien 3rd Countess Orkney and Inchquin (age 69) died. Her daughter [his sister-in-law] Mary (age 34) succeeded 4th Countess Orkney. [his brother] Thomas Fitzmaurice Earl Orkney (age 47) by marriage Earl Orkney.
On 28th October 1793 [his brother] Thomas Fitzmaurice Earl Orkney (age 51) died.
On 7th May 1805 William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne (age 68) died. His son John (age 40) succeeded 2nd Marquess Lansdowne, 3rd Earl Shelburne in County Wexford and inherited Bowood House, Wiltshire [Map].
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Fitzmaurice 20th Baron Kerry
GrandFather: Thomas Fitzmurice 1st Earl Kerry
Father: John Petty-Fitzmaurice 1st Earl Shelburne
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Petty
GrandMother: Anne Petty Countess Kerry
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Waller of Groombridge
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Waller
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hardress Waller
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Waller 1st Baroness Shelburne
William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Fitzmaurice 20th Baron Kerry
GrandFather: William Fitzmaurice
Mother: Mary Fitzmaurice Countess Shelburne
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Brookes of York
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Brookes 1st Baronet
GrandMother: Deborah Brookes
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Waller of Groombridge
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Waller
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hardress Waller
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Waller