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.
Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire is in Nottinghamshire.
See: Fosse Way, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds [Map], St Mary & All Saints Church, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds [Map].
Around 1175 Hugh Willoughby was born at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map].
Around 1233 Richard Bugge aka Willoughby was born to Robert Bugge de Bingham (age 38) at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map].
Around 1240 William Willoughby was born to Robert Willoughby (age 23) and Alice or Margaret Orreby (age 23) at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He married Alice Beke, daughter of John Beke 1st Baron Beke and Sarah Furnival, and had issue.
Around 1290 Richard Willoughby was born to Richard Bugge aka Willoughby (age 57) at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He married (1) 1310 Isabel Morteyn (2) 1333 Joan Grey, daughter of John Grey 1st Baron Grey and Avice Marmion Baroness Grey Rotherfield, and had issue (3) after 1342 Elizabeth Valletort.
In 1323 John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby was born to John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby (age 19) and Joan Roscelyn Baroness Willoughby and Latimer (age 15) at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He married before 1349 Cecily Ufford Baroness Willoughby of Eresby, daughter of Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk and Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk, and had issue.
In 1325 Richard Bugge aka Willoughby (age 92) died at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map].
On 18th October 1333 Margaret Deincourt Baroness Willoughby of Eresby (age 63) died at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map].
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1416 Isabel Annesley (age 33) died at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map].
On 30th May 1465 Robert Willoughby (age 55) died at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He was buried at Campsey Nunnery, Campsey.
Around 1548 Elizabeth Lyttelton was born to John Lyttelton of Frankley (age 28) and Bridget Packington at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map]. She married 1563 her half fifth cousin once removed Francis Willoughby and had issue.
On 5th July 1648 Michael Stanhope (age 24) was killed at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map] during the Battle of Willoughby Field.
After 5th July 1648 Michael Stanhope (deceased) was buried at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map].
Fosse Way 5f Leicester to Lincoln. Leaving Ratae Corieltavorum [Map] aka Leicester the Fosse way continues north-west through Thurmaston, Leicestershire [Map], past Syston [Map], where it makes a slight change in direction, through Six Hills, Leicestershire [Map] where Roman road (RM58) forks off north east to Grantham [Map]. Then passing Vernementum [Map] aka Willoughby-on-the-Wolds the Fosse Way make another minor change in alignment at Cotgrave [Map] before continuing through Margidunum, Nottinghamshire [Map], Ad Pontem [Map] aka East Stoke. Ad Pontem refers to it being close to the River Trent. The road continues through Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire [Map] then Crococalana Roman Settlement [Map] near present day Brough. At Bracebridge [Map] the Fosse Way meets Ermine Street 2 before continuing into Lindum Colonia [Map] aka Lincoln.