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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Earl Harrington is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
1742. William Stanhope 1st Earl of Harrington [aged 59] created.
8th December 1756. Son William Stanhope 2nd Earl of Harrington [aged 36] succeeded.
1st April 1779. Son Charles Stanhope 3rd Earl of Harrington [aged 26] succeeded.
5th September 1829. Son Charles Stanhope 4th Earl of Harrington [aged 49] succeeded.
3rd March 1851. Brother Leicester FitzGerald Charles Stanhope 5th Earl of Harrington [aged 66] succeeded.
7th September 1862. Son Sydney Stanhope 6th Earl Harrington [aged 16] succeeded.
22nd February 1866. First Cousin Charles Stanhope 7th Earl of Harrington [aged 56] succeeded.
26th June 1881. Son Charles Augustus Stanhope 8th Earl Harrington [aged 37] succeeded.
1917. Brother Dudley Stanhope 9th Earl of Harrington [aged 57] succeeded.
13th November 1928. Son Charles Stanhope 10th Earl of Harrington [aged 41] succeeded.
16th November 1929. Son William Stanhope 11th Earl of Harrington [aged 7] succeeded.
12th April 2009. Son Charles Stanhope 12th Earl of Harrington [aged 63] succeeded.
In 1742 William Stanhope 1st Earl of Harrington [aged 59] was created 1st Earl Harrington, 1st Viscount Petersham.
On 8th December 1756 William Stanhope 1st Earl of Harrington [aged 73] died. His son William [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Earl Harrington, 2nd Viscount Petersham, 2nd Baron Harrington. Caroline Fitzroy Countess Harrington [aged 34] by marriage Countess Harrington.
On 1st April 1779 William Stanhope 2nd Earl of Harrington [aged 59] died. His son Charles [aged 26] succeeded 3rd Earl Harrington, 3rd Viscount Petersham, 3rd Baron Harrington. Jane Fleming Countess Harrington [aged 23] by marriage Countess Harrington.
On 5th September 1829 Charles Stanhope 3rd Earl of Harrington [aged 76] died. His son Charles [aged 49] succeeded 4th Earl Harrington, 4th Viscount Petersham, 4th Baron Harrington.
In 1831 Charles Stanhope 4th Earl of Harrington [aged 50] and Maria Foote Countess Harrington were married. She by marriage Countess Harrington. He the son of Charles Stanhope 3rd Earl of Harrington and Jane Fleming Countess Harrington.
On 3rd March 1851 Charles Stanhope 4th Earl of Harrington [aged 70] died. His brother Leicester [aged 66] succeeded 5th Earl Harrington, 5th Viscount Petersham, 5th Baron Harrington. Elizabeth Green Countess Harrington [aged 42] by marriage Countess Harrington.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 7th September 1862 Leicester FitzGerald Charles Stanhope 5th Earl of Harrington [aged 78] died. His son Sydney [aged 16] succeeded 6th Earl Harrington, 6th Viscount Petersham, 6th Baron Harrington.
On 22nd February 1866 Sydney Stanhope 6th Earl Harrington [aged 20] died. His first cousin Charles [aged 56] succeeded 7th Earl Harrington, 7th Viscount Petersham, 7th Baron Harrington.
On 26th June 1881 Charles Stanhope 7th Earl of Harrington [aged 71] died. His son Charles [aged 37] succeeded 8th Earl Harrington, 8th Viscount Petersham, 8th Baron Harrington.
In 1917 Charles Augustus Stanhope 8th Earl Harrington [aged 73] died at Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire [Map]. His brother Dudley [aged 57] succeeded 9th Earl Harrington, 9th Viscount Petersham, 9th Baron Harrington.
On 13th November 1928 Dudley Stanhope 9th Earl of Harrington [aged 69] died. His son Charles [aged 41] succeeded 10th Earl Harrington, 10th Viscount Petersham, 10th Baron Harrington.
On 16th November 1929 Charles Stanhope 10th Earl of Harrington [aged 42] died. His son William [aged 7] succeeded 11th Earl Harrington, 11th Viscount Petersham, 11th Baron Harrington.
On 5th February 1942 William Stanhope 11th Earl of Harrington [aged 19] and Eileen Foley Grey Countess Harrington [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Harrington. He the son of Charles Stanhope 10th Earl of Harrington and Margaret Trelawney Seaton.
On 14th October 1964 William Stanhope 11th Earl of Harrington [aged 42] and Priscilla Margaret Cubitt Countess Harrington [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Harrington. He the son of Charles Stanhope 10th Earl of Harrington and Margaret Trelawney Seaton.
On 12th April 2009 William Stanhope 11th Earl of Harrington [aged 86] died. His son Charles [aged 63] succeeded 12th Earl Harrington, 12th Viscount Petersham, 12th Baron Harrington.