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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Chippenham, Wiltshire is in Chippenham Hundred, Wiltshire.
Assers Life of Alfred 853. 853. 9. Other Events of 853.24 That same year also, Ealdorman Ealhere with the men of Kent, and Huda with the men of Surrey, fought bravely and resolutely against an army of the heathen in the island which is called Tenet [Map]25 in the Saxon tongue, but Ruim in the Welsh language. At first the Christians were victorious. The battle lasted a long time; many fell on both sides, and were drowned in the water; and both the ealdormen were there slain. In the same year also, after Easter, Æthelwulf, King of the West Saxons, gave his daughter (age 15) to Burgred, King of the Mercians, as his queen, and the marriage was celebrated in princely wise at the royal vill of Chippenham [Map].
Note 24. Based upon the Chronicle.
Around May 853 King Burgred of Mercia and Æthelswith Wessex Queen Consort Mercia (age 15) were married at Chippenham, Wiltshire [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Mercia. She the daughter of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 878. This year about mid-winter, after twelfth-night, the Danish army stole out to Chippenham [Map], and rode over the land of the West-Saxons; where they settled, and drove many of the people over sea; and of the rest the greatest part they rode down, and subdued to their will;-ALL BUT ALFRED THE KING (age 29). He, with a little band, uneasily sought the woods and fastnesses of the moors. And in the winter of this same year the brother of Ingwar and Healfden landed in Wessex, in Devonshire, with three and twenty ships, and there was he slain, and eight hundred men with him, and forty of his army. There also was taken the war-flag, which they called the RAVEN. In the Easter of this year King Alfred with his little force raised a work at Athelney [Map]; from which he assailed the army, assisted by that part of Somersetshire which was nighest to it.
Assers Life of Alfred 878. 878. 52. The Danes at Chippenham.116 In the year of our Lord's incarnation 878, being the thirtieth of King Alfred's life, the oft-mentioned army left Exeter [Map], and went to Chippenham, Wiltshire [Map], a royal vill, situated in the north of Wiltshire, on the east bank of the river which is called Avon in Welsh, and there wintered. And they drove many of that people by their arms, by poverty, and by fear, to voyage beyond sea, and reduced almost all the inhabitants of that district to subjection.
Note 116. Largely from the Chronicle.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 879. This year went the army from Chippenham [Map] to Cirencester [Map], and sat there a year. The same year assembled a band of pirates, and sat at Fulham [Map] by the Thames. The same year also the sun was eclipsed one hour of the day.
On 15th January 1919 Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley 3rd Earl Cowley (age 53) died at Chippenham, Wiltshire [Map]. His son Christian (age 28) succeeded 4th Earl Cowley, 4th Viscount Dangan of Meath, 5th Baron Cowley.
On 18th January 1919 Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley 3rd Earl Cowley (deceased) was buried at Chippenham, Wiltshire [Map].
The Gloucestershire River Avon rises near Acton Turville, Gloucestershire [Map] after which it flows past Luckington, Wiltshire [Map], Sherston, Wiltshire [Map], Easton Grey, Wiltshire [Map], Malmesbury, Wiltshire [Map], Great Somerford, Wiltshire [Map], Christian Malford, Wiltshire [Map], Chippenham, Wiltshire [Map], Melksham, Wiltshire [Map], Bradford on Avon [Map], under the Dundas Aquaduct, Wiltshire [Map], through Bath, Somerset [Map], past Keynsham, Gloucestershire [Map], through Bristol [Map] under the Clifton Suspension Bridge [Map] to Avonmouth, Gloucestershire [Map] where it joins the Severn Estuary.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 25th July 1863 William Richard Arthur Pole Tylney Long Wellesley 5th Earl Mornington (age 49) died in Paris [Map]. He was buried at Draycott Cerne Chippenham, Wiltshire. His first cousin once removed Arthur (age 56) succeeded 6th Earl Mornington, 6th Viscount Wellesley of Dangan Castle. Elizabeth Hay Duchess Wellington (age 42) by marriage Countess Mornington.
St Andrew's Church, Chippenham is also in Churches in Wiltshire.
Before 21st June 1627 Gilbert Prynne of Allington died. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Chippenham [Map] on 21st June 1627.
A fine memorial at the west end of the south aisle to Sir Gilbert Pryn Knight d1627. Two kneeling figures face each other; the lower section has five kneeling children carrying skulls; two daughters with ruffs kneel on a projecting platform. The monument is flanked by pilasters and obelisks supported by putti. An entablature is crowned by a shield and helmets flanked by urns. Two long inscriptions below.