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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St Dionis Backchurch is in Langbourn Ward.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 6th December 1559. The vj day of Dessember was bered in sant Dennys parryche in Fanchyrche stret, the chyrche and the qwyre hangyd with blake and armes, and the plasse and the strett, ser Thomas Cortes knyght and latt mare of London, and Fysmonger and Puterer; ther was iij haroldes of armes, and ther had my lord mare and the sword-bayrer and dyvers althermen had blake, and the residuw in vyolett; and ther was a C. in blake gownes and cottes; and he had a standard and a v penon of armes, and a x dosen skochyons; and ther dyd pryche master Recherdson the Skott; and after to the plasse, and the mare and the althermen to dener, for ther was a grett dener, and pore men in gownes and the clarkes of London syngyng; a grett denner for all men that wold come.
On 10th August 1563 Thomas Becon (age 51) was appointed to the rectory of St Dionis Backchurch.
In 1591 Edward Osborne (age 61) died. He was buried at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 26th April 1601 Richard Drury (age 44) and Catherine Beswick were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
In 1602 Margaret Chapman of St Olave's in Southwark died. She was buried next to her first husband at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 26th November 1619 Edward Dering 1st Baronet (age 21) and Elizabeth Tufton were married at St Dionis Backchurch. She the daughter of Nicholas Tufton 1st Earl of Thanet (age 41) and Frances Cecil Countess Isle Thanet (age 38).
On 19th April 1633 Abraham Hill was born to Richard Hill of Lime Street and Agnes Trewolla. He was baptised on 16th June 1635 at St Dionis Backchurch. He married (1) in or before 1658 Anne Whitelocke and had issue (2) in or after 1661 Elizabeth Pratt.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On or before 22nd December 1637, the date he was baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, Charles Vermuyden was born. He married 20th December 1667 Mary Upton Countess Suffolk.
On or before 18th January 1641 Thomas Crispe of Dornford was born to Nicholas Crispe 1st Baronet (age 42). He was baptised on 18th January 1641 at St Dionis Backchurch. He married in or before 1685 Dorothy Vane and had issue.
On or before 1st April 1647 Thomas Rawlinson was born to Daniel Rawlinson Vintner (age 33). He was baptised on 1st April 1647 at St Dionis Backchurch. He married in or before 1693 Mary Taylor.
On 12th February 1655 Henry Carey and Mary Scrope 6th Marchioness Winchester were married at St Dionis Backchurch. She the illegitmate daughter of Emanuel Scrope 1st Earl of Sunderland and Martha Jeanes. He the son of Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth (age 59) and Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth (age 54). They were second cousins.
On 8th April 1657 Thomas Chamberlayne 2nd Baronet (age 22) and Margaret Prideaux were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 2nd April 1673 John Egerton 3rd Earl Bridgewater (age 26) and Jane Paulet Countess Bridgewater (age 17) were married at St Dionis Backchurch. She the daughter of Charles Paulet 1st Duke Bolton (age 43) and Mary Scrope 6th Marchioness Winchester. He the son of John Egerton 2nd Earl Bridgewater (age 49) and Elizabeth Cavendish Countess Bridgewater. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 3rd June 1683 Martin Lumley 3rd Baronet (age 21) and Elizabeth Dawes were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
Before 18th November 1708 Thomas Rawlinson (age 61) died. He was buried on 20th November 1708 at St Dionis Backchurch.
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 10th November 1713 John Slaney (age 30) and Barbara Mitford were married at St Dionis Backchurch.
Before 1st March 1725 Mary Taylor died. She was buried on 1st March 1725 at St Dionis Backchurch.
On 23rd April 1831 John Kelley Halswelle was born. He was baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, London, on 6th July 1831.