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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Wareham, Dorset is in Dorset.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 786. This year Cyneard slew King Cynewulf, and was slain himself, and eighty-four men with him. Then Bertric undertook the government of the West-Saxons, and reigned sixteen years. His body is deposited at Wareham [Map]; and his pedigree goeth in a direct line to Cerdic. At this time reigned Elmund king in Kent, the father of Egbert [aged 13]; and Egbert was the father of Athulf.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 876. This year Rolla [aged 30] penetrated Normandy [Map] with his army; and he reigned fifty winters. And this year the army stole into Wareham [Map], a fort of the West-Saxons. The king afterwards made peace with them; and they gave him as hostages those who were worthiest in the army; and swore with oaths on the holy bracelet, which they would not before to any nation, that they would readily go out of his kingdom. Then, under colour of this, their cavalry stole by night into Exeter [Map]. The same year Healfden divided the land of the Northumbrians; so that they became afterwards their harrowers and plowers.
Assers Life of Alfred 876. 876. 49. Movements of the Danes.107 In the year of our Lord's incarnation 876, being the twenty-eighth year of King Alfred's [aged 27] life, the oft-mentioned army of the heathen, leaving Cambridge by night, entered a fortress called Wareham, Dorset [Map]108, where there is a monastery of nuns between the two rivers Froom [and Tarrant], in the district which is called in Welsh Durngueir109, but in Saxon Thornsæta110, placed in a most secure location, except on the western side, where there was a territory adjacent. With this army Alfred made a solemn treaty to the effect that they should depart from him, and they made no hesitation to give him as many picked hostages as he named; also they swore an oath on all the relics in which King Alfred trusted next to God111, and on which they had never before sworn to any people, that they would speedily depart from his kingdom. But they again practised their usual treachery, and caring nothing for either hostages or oath, they broke the treaty, and, sallying forth by night, slew all the horsemen [horses?] that they had112, and, turning off, started without warning for another place called in Saxon Exanceastre [Map], and in Welsh Cairwisc, which means in Latin 'The City [of Exe],' situated on the eastern bank of the river Wisc113, near the southern sea which divides Britain from Gaul, and there passed the winter.
Note 107. Chiefly from the Chronicle.
Note 108. In Dorsetshire.
Note 109. Dorchester.
Note 110. For the usual Dornsæte.
Note 111. Here the Chronicle. has 'on the holy arm-ring,' on which the Danes, it would seem, were accustomed to swear.
Note 112. Here the Chronicle has: 'They, the mounted army, stole away from the fierd [the English forces] in the night into Exeter.' This, of course, is the true account, while the statement in Asser is incredible.
Note 113. Exe.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 877. This year came the Danish army into Exeter [Map] from Wareham [Map]; whilst the navy sailed west about, until they met with a great mist at sea, and there perished one hundred and twenty ships at Swanwich.36 Meanwhile King Alfred [aged 28] with his army rode after the cavalry as far as Exeter; but he could not overtake them before their arrival in the fortress, where they could not be come at. There they gave him as many hostages as he required, swearing with solemn oaths to observe the strictest amity. In the harvest the army entered Mercia; some of which they divided among them, and some they gave to Ceolwulf.
Note 36. It is now generally written, as pronounced, "Swanage".
On 18th March 978 King Edward I of England [aged 16] was murdered at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map] when visiting his younger half-brother Æthelred [aged 12] and his [Æthelred's] mother Aelfthryth [aged 33]. He was buried in Wareham, Dorset [Map] without ceremony. His half brother Æthelred succeeded II King of England.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 978. This year was King Edward [aged 16] slain, at eventide, at Corfe-gate [Map], on the fifteenth day before the calends of April. And he was buried at Wareham, Dorset [Map] without any royal honour. No worse deed than this was ever done by the English nation since they first sought the land of Britain. Men murdered him but God has magnified him. He was in life an earthly king-he is now after death a heavenly saint. Him would not his earthly relatives avenge-but his heavenly father has avenged him amply. The earthly homicides would wipe out his memory from the earth-but the avenger above has spread his memory abroad in heaven and in earth. Those, Who would not before bow to his living body, now bow on their knees to His dead bones. Now we may conclude, that the wisdom of men, and their meditations, and their counsels, are as nought against the appointment of God. In this same year succeeded Ethelred Etheling [aged 12], his brother, to the government; and he was afterwards very readily, and with great joy to the counsellors of England, consecrated king at Kingston [Map]. In the same year also died Alfwold, who was Bishop of Dorsetshire, and whose body lieth in the minster at Sherborn [Map].
Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 18th March 978. Edward, king of England [aged 16], was foully murdered at Corvesireate [Map], at the instigations of his step-mother, queen Elfthritha [aged 33], and was buried at Wareham [Map] without royal pomp.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 980. In this year was Ethelgar consecrated bishop, on the sixth day before the nones of May, to the bishopric of Selsey; and in the same year was Southampton, Hampshire [Map] plundered by a pirate-army, and most of the population slain or imprisoned. And the same year was the Isle of Thanet [Map] overrun, and the county of Chester was plundered by the pirate-army of the North. In this year Alderman Alfere fetched the body of the holy King Edward at Wareham, Dorset [Map], and carried him with great solemnity to Shaftsbury [Map]
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1113. In this year was the King Henry [aged 45] on the Nativity and at Easter and at Pentecost in Normandy. And after that, in the summer, he sent hither Robert of Belesme [aged 57] into the castle at Wareham, Dorset [Map], and himself soon142 afterwards came hither to this land.
Note 142. "Mense Julio".-Flor.
On 10th August 1644 William Sydenham [aged 29] and Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury [aged 23] captured Wareham, Dorset [Map].
