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 Stamford is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
March 1628. Henry Grey 1st Earl Stamford [aged 29] created.
21st August 1673. Grandson Thomas Grey 2nd Earl Stamford [aged 19] succeeded.
31st January 1720. First Cousin Henry Grey 3rd Earl Stamford [aged 34] succeeded.
16th November 1739. Son Henry Grey 4th Earl Stamford [aged 24] succeeded.
30th May 1768. Son George Grey 5th Earl Stamford 1st Earl Warrington [aged 30] succeeded.
28th May 1819. Son George Grey 6th Earl Stamford 2nd Earl Warrington [aged 53] succeeded.
26th April 1845. Grandson George Grey 7th Earl Stamford 3rd Earl Warrington [aged 18] succeeded.
2nd January 1883. Second Cousin Once Removed Harry Grey 8th Earl Stamford 4th Earl Warrington [aged 70] succeeded.
19th June 1890. Nephew William Grey 9th Earl Stamford 5th Earl Warrington [aged 40] succeeded.
24th May 1910. Son Roger Grey 10th Earl Stamford 6th Earl Warrington [aged 13] succeeded.
18th August 1976. Roger Grey 10th Earl Stamford 6th Earl Warrington extinct.
In March 1628 Henry Grey 1st Earl Stamford [aged 29] was created 1st Earl Stamford. Anne Cecil Countess Stamford [aged 32] by marriage Countess Stamford.
On 21st August 1673 Henry Grey 1st Earl Stamford [aged 74] died. His grandson Thomas [aged 19] succeeded 2nd Earl Stamford, 3rd Baron Grey of Groby.
On 31st January 1720 Thomas Grey 2nd Earl Stamford [aged 66] died. His first cousin Henry [aged 34] succeeded 3rd Earl Stamford, 4th Baron Grey of Groby. Dorothy Wright Countess Stamford [aged 35] by marriage Countess Stamford.
On 16th November 1739 Henry Grey 3rd Earl Stamford [aged 54] died. His son Henry [aged 24] succeeded 4th Earl Stamford, 5th Baron Grey of Groby. Mary Booth Countess Stamford [aged 35] by marriage Countess Stamford.
On 28th May 1763 George Grey 5th Earl Stamford 1st Earl Warrington [aged 25] and Henrietta Bentinck Countess Stamford and Warrington [aged 26] were married. She by marriage Countess Stamford. She the daughter of William Bentinck 2nd Duke Portland and Margaret Cavendish Harley 2nd Duchess Portland [aged 48]. He the son of Henry Grey 4th Earl Stamford [aged 47] and Mary Booth Countess Stamford [aged 59].
On 30th May 1768 Henry Grey 4th Earl Stamford [aged 52] died at Enville Hall, Staffordshire. His son George [aged 30] succeeded 5th Earl Stamford, 6th Baron Grey of Groby.
On 28th May 1819 George Grey 5th Earl Stamford 1st Earl Warrington [aged 81] died at Enville Hall, Staffordshire. His son George [aged 53] succeeded 6th Earl Stamford, 2nd Earl Warrington, 7th Baron Grey of Groby, 2nd Baron Delamer. Henrietta Charteris Countess Stamford and Warrington by marriage Countess Stamford, Countess Warrington.
On 30th September 1844 Harry Grey 8th Earl Stamford 4th Earl Warrington [aged 32] and Susan Gaydon Countess Stamford and Warrington were married. She by marriage Countess Stamford, Countess Warrington.
On 26th April 1845 George Grey 6th Earl Stamford 2nd Earl Warrington [aged 79] died. His grandson George [aged 18] succeeded 7th Earl Stamford, 3rd Earl Warrington, 9th Baron Grey of Groby, 3rd Baron Delamer.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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In 1848 George Grey 7th Earl Stamford 3rd Earl Warrington [aged 20] and Elizabeth Billage Countess Stamford and Warrington were married having eloped to Brighton. She by marriage Countess Stamford, Countess Warrington.
On 29th August 1855 George Grey 7th Earl Stamford 3rd Earl Warrington [aged 28] and Catherine Cox Countess Stamford and Warrington were married. She a circus performer, the fifth child of a farm worker and his gypsy wife from Dorset. Her brother had been jailed for horse stealing and one of her sisters, Tamar, was in the workhouse with three illegitimate children. She by marriage Countess Stamford, Countess Warrington.
On 6th December 1880 Harry Grey 8th Earl Stamford 4th Earl Warrington [aged 68] and Martha Solomon Countess Stamford and Warrington [aged 42] were married. She by marriage Countess Stamford, Countess Warrington. The difference in their ages was 25 years.
On 2nd January 1883 George Grey 7th Earl Stamford 3rd Earl Warrington [aged 55] died. His second cousin once removed Harry [aged 70] succeeded 8th Earl Stamford, 10th Baron Grey of Groby. Earl Warrington and Baron Delamer extinct, along with an immense fortune of of £8,000 per annum.
On 19th June 1890 Harry Grey 8th Earl Stamford 4th Earl Warrington [aged 78] died of pneumonia without legitimate male issue. He was buried in St. John's Cemetery, Wynberg. His nephew William [aged 40] succeeded 9th Earl Stamford, 11th Baron Grey of Groby.
On 18th April 1895 William Grey 9th Earl Stamford 5th Earl Warrington [aged 45] and Penelope Theobald Countess Stamford and Warrington were married in London She by marriage Countess Stamford, Countess Warrington.
On 24th May 1910 William Grey 9th Earl Stamford 5th Earl Warrington [aged 60] died. His son Roger [aged 13] succeeded 10th Earl Stamford, 12th Baron Grey of Groby.
On 18th August 1976 Roger Grey 10th Earl Stamford 6th Earl Warrington [aged 79] died unmarried at Manchester, Lancashire. He was buried at St Mark's Church, Dunham Massey [Map]. Earl Stamford and Baron Grey of Groby extinct. He left his estate of Dunham Massey, Cheshire [Map] to the National Trust.