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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Biography of William Tatton Egerton 1749-1806

Paternal Family Tree: Tatton

In May 1747 [his step-father] William Tatton (age 43) and [his mother] Hester Egerton (age 39) were married.

On 9th May 1749 William Tatton Egerton was born to [his step-father] William Tatton (age 45) and [his mother] Hester Egerton (age 41).

On 27th February 1773 William Tatton Egerton (age 23) and Frances Maria Fountayne (age 22) were married.

On 28th April 1776 [his step-father] William Tatton (age 72) died.

On 9th January 1777 [his wife] Frances Maria Fountayne (age 26) died.

On 9th July 1780 [his mother] Hester Egerton (age 72) died.

On 26th October 1780 William Tatton Egerton (age 31) and Mary Wilbraham-Bootle (age 21) were married.

On 1st September 1781 [his son] Wilbraham Egerton was born to William Tatton Egerton (age 32) and [his wife] Mary Wilbraham-Bootle (age 22). He married before 30th December 1806 his half first cousin Elizabeth Sykes, daughter of Christopher Sykes 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Tatton, and had issue.

On 13th November 1784 [his wife] Mary Wilbraham-Bootle (age 25) died.

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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On 31st May 1787 William Tatton Egerton (age 38) and Anna Maria Armytage were married.

On 3rd September 1799 [his wife] Anna Maria Armytage died.

On 1st November 1803 William Tatton Egerton (age 54) and Charlotte Clara Watkinson were married.

On 21st April 1806 William Tatton Egerton (age 56) died.

[his son] Thomas William Tatton was born to William Tatton Egerton and Mary Wilbraham-Bootle. He married 20th October 1807 Emma Grey and had issue.

[his daughter] Mary Elizabeth Egerton Lady Sledmere was born to William Tatton Egerton and Mary Wilbraham-Bootle. She married 2nd August 1814 her half first cousin Mark Masterman-Sykes 3rd Baronet, son of Christopher Sykes 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Tatton.

Royal Ancestors of William Tatton Egerton

Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of William Tatton Egerton

Father: William Tatton

William Tatton Egerton 8 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Egerton 1st Earl Bridgewater

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ravenscroft

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Egerton 2nd Earl Bridgewater 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby 2 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Stanley Countess Bridgewater 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Spencer Countess Derby

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Egerton 5 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Cavendish 8 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cavendish 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne 4 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Ogle 8th Baroness Ogle 3 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cavendish Countess Bridgewater 5 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bassett 11 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne 12 x Great Grand Daughter of

GrandFather: John Egerton 6 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Busby

Great x 1 Grandmother: Hester Busby

Mother: Hester Egerton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 1 Grandfather: Samuel Barbour of Preese

GrandMother: Elizabeth Barbour

Great x 3 Grandfather: Rowland Hill of Hawkestone

Great x 2 Grandfather: Rowland Hill

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hill