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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Soho is in Westminster [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 27th November 1689. I went to London with my family, to winter at Soho, in the great square.
On 25th March 1826 Bishop Shute Barrington [aged 91] died in Soho. He was buried in St John the Baptist's Church, Mongewell Park, Wallingford.
In 1725. Michael Dahl [aged 66] was living in Beak Street Soho.
On 11th August 1737 Joseph Nollekens was born in 28 Dean Street.
On 17th December 1721 Richard Lumley 1st Earl Scarborough [aged 71] died of apoplexy at Gerard Street, Soho. His son Richard [aged 35] succeeded 2nd Earl of Scarborough, 3rd Viscount Lumley, 2nd Baron Lumley.
On 24th August 1821 John William Polidori [aged 25] died at his father's house 38 Great Pulteney Street. There were suspicions he had committed suicide by consuming prussic acid although the coroner gave death by natural causes.
On 28th July 1727 William Greville 7th Baron Brooke [aged 32] died at Poland Street Soho. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His son Francis [aged 7] succeeded 8th Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.
On 13th June 1723 Richard Newport 2nd Earl Bradford [aged 78] died at Soho Square [Map]. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Wroxeter [Map]. His son Henry [aged 40] succeeded 3rd Earl Bradford, 3rd Viscount Newport of Bradford in Shropshire, 4th Baron Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire.
On 28th April 1732 Thomas Parker 1st Earl Macclesfield [aged 65] died at Soho Square [Map]. His son George [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Earl Macclesfield.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Around 1763 John "The Elder" Bacon [aged 22] attempted his first work in marble when he resided in George Yard on Oxford Road near Soho Square [Map].
On 1st October 1760 William Beckford was born to William Beckford [aged 50] and Maria Hamilton [aged 35] at 22 Soho Square [Map]. He married 5th May 1783 Margaret Gordon, daughter of Charles Gordon 4th Earl Aboyne and Margaret Stewart Countess Aboyne.
In March 1779 Joseph Banks 1st Baronet [aged 36] and Dorothea Hugessen were married. The lived at 32 Soho Square for the remainder of his life.
St Anne's Church, Soho is also in Churches in Westminster.
In or after 1687 Bishop John Moore [aged 41] was appointed Rector of St Anne's Church, Soho [Map] and St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 12th January 1690. There was read at St. Ann's Church [Map] an exhortatory letter to the clergy of London from the Bishop, together with a Brief for relieving the distressed Protestants, and Vaudois, who fled from the persecution of the French and Duke of Savoy, to the Protestant Cantons of Switzerland.
On 12th July 1716 James Barry 4th Earl Barrymore [aged 49] and Anne Chichester Countess Barrymore were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map]. She by marriage Countess Barrymore. She the daughter of Arthur Chichester 3rd Earl Donegal and Catherine Forbes [aged 26]. He the son of Richard Barry 2nd Earl Barrymore.
On 16th March 1725 (possibly 1724) Edward Harley 3rd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer [aged 26] and Martha Morgan Countess of Oxford and Mortimer [aged 26] were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map].
On 14th May 1733 Elizabeth Letitia Winn was born to Rowland Winn 4th Baronet [aged 27] and Susanna Henshaw Lady Winn [aged 23]. On 18th May 1733 she was baptised at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map]. She married 25th November 1751 George Strickland 5th Baronet, son of William Strickland 4th Baronet and Catherine Sambrooke Lady Strickland.
On 11th September 1735 Edward Dering 5th Baronet [aged 30] and Mary Fotherby Lady Dering were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map].
On 11th October 1763 Henry Thrale [aged 39] and Hester Lynch Salusbury [aged 23] were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map]. They had twelve children.
In 1781 Francis Hartwell 1st Baronet [aged 23] and Anna-Charlotta-Maria were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map].
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 18th April 1882 Lancelot Aubrey-Fletcher 5th Baronet [aged 36] and Emily Harriet Wade Lady Fletcher were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map].
In 1782 John Flaxman [aged 26] and Anne Denman [aged 22] were married. They lived at Wardour Street Soho [Map].
On 22nd December 1966 Pink Floyd commenced their first of eleven gigs at the The Marquee Club.
On 13th March 1966 Pink Floyd appeared for the first time at the Wardour Club.