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: Thorold
In or before 1587 [his uncle] William Thorold (age 15) and [his mother] Frances Tyrwhitt were married.
In 1591 William Thorold 1st Baronet was born to [his uncle] William Thorold (age 20) and [his mother] Frances Tyrwhitt.
On 26th June 1594 [his uncle] William Thorold (age 23) died.
Before 1630 William Thorold 1st Baronet (age 38) and Anne Blyth were married.
On 24th August 1642 William Thorold 1st Baronet (age 51) was created 1st Baronet Thorold of Marston in Lincolnshire.
On 15th March 1643 William Thorold's (age 52) estates were sequestrated for supporting the King in the Civil War.
On 1st December 1646 William Thorold 1st Baronet (age 55) was fined £4,160 for supporting the King in the Civil War.
Before 1677 [his son] Anthony Thorold died.
In 1678 William Thorold 1st Baronet (age 87) died. His grandson [his grandson] William (age 19) succeeded 2nd Baronet Thorold of Marston in Lincolnshire.
[his daughter] Frances Thorold was born to William Thorold 1st Baronet and Anne Blyth. She married before October 1679 Francis Leke 1st Baronet and had issue.
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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[his son] John Thorold was born to William Thorold 1st Baronet and Anne Blyth.
[his son] Anthony Thorold was born to William Thorold 1st Baronet and Anne Blyth.
[his daughter] Margaret Thorold was born to William Thorold 1st Baronet and Anne Blyth. She married William Beresford of Leadenham and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Thorold
GrandFather: Anthony Thorold
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Leke of Halloughton in Nottinghamshire
Great x 1 Grandmother: Dorothy Leke
Father: William Thorold
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Sutton of Wellingore 
GrandMother: Margaret Sutton
William Thorold 1st Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Tyrwhitt
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Tyrwhitt 10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Constable 
8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Constable 9 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Wentworth 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Tyrwhitt 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme 
12 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Tailboys 8th Baron Kyme 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bonville Baroness Kyme 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Tailboys 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Heron of Ford Castle Northumberland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Heron Baroness Kyme
GrandFather: Robert Tyrwhitt 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Girlington
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabel Girlington
Mother: Frances Tyrwhitt 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Oxenbridge
Great x 2 Grandfather: Goddard Oxenbridge
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Oxenbridge of Etchingham in Sussex
GrandMother: Elizabeth Oxenbridge