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 of Cottenham is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
11th June 1850. Charles Christopher Pepys 1st Earl of Cottenham [aged 69] created.
29th April 1851. Son Charles Edward Pepys 2nd Earl of Cottenham [aged 26] succeeded.
18th February 1863. Brother William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham [aged 37] succeeded.
20th January 1881. Son Kenelm Charles Pepys 4th Earl of Cottenham [aged 6] succeeded.
22nd April 1919. Son Kenelm Charles [aged 17] succeeded.
29th December 1922. Brother Mark Everard Pepys 6th Earl of Cottenham [aged 19] succeeded.
19th July 1943. Brother John Digby Pepys 7th Earl of Cottenham [aged 36] succeeded.
12th May 1968. Son Kenelm Charles Pepys 8th Earl of Cottenham [aged 19] succeeded.
20th October 2000. Son Mark John Pepys 9th Earl of Cottenham [aged 17] succeeded.
On 11th June 1850 Charles Christopher Pepys 1st Earl of Cottenham [aged 69] was created 1st Earl of Cottenham, 1st Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey.
On 29th April 1851 Charles Christopher Pepys 1st Earl of Cottenham [aged 70] died. His son Charles [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Earl of Cottenham, 2nd Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 2nd Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 4th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 5th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.
On 18th February 1863 Charles Edward Pepys 2nd Earl of Cottenham [aged 38] died unmarried. His brother William [aged 37] succeeded 3rd Earl of Cottenham, 3rd Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 3rd Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 5th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 6th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.
On 11th October 1870 William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham [aged 45] and Theodesia Selina Dallas Countess Cottenham [aged 25] were married at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. She by marriage Countess of Cottenham. He the son of Charles Christopher Pepys 1st Earl of Cottenham and Charlotte Maria Wingfield.
On 20th January 1881 William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham [aged 55] died. His son Kenelm [aged 6] succeeded 4th Earl of Cottenham, 4th Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 4th Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 6th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 7th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.
On 29th November 1899 Kenelm Charles Pepys 4th Earl of Cottenham [aged 25] and Rose Neville Countess Cottentham [aged 32] were married. She by marriage Countess of Cottenham. She the daughter of William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny [aged 73] and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. He the son of William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham and Theodesia Selina Dallas Countess Cottenham [aged 54].
On 16th August 1916 Kenelm Charles Pepys 4th Earl of Cottenham [aged 42] and Patricia Burke Countess Cottenham were married. She by marriage Countess of Cottenham. He the son of William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham and Theodesia Selina Dallas Countess Cottenham [aged 71].
On 22nd April 1919 Kenelm Charles Pepys 4th Earl of Cottenham [aged 44] died. His son Kenelm [aged 17] succeeded 5th Earl of Cottenham, 5th Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 5th Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 7th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 8th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.
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 29th December 1922 Kenelm Charles [aged 21] died of pneumonia unmarried. His brother Mark [aged 19] succeeded 6th Earl of Cottenham, 6th Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 6th Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 8th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 9th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.
On 19th July 1943 Mark Everard Pepys 6th Earl of Cottenham [aged 40] without male issue. John Digby Pepys 7th Earl of Cottenham [aged 36] succeeded 7th Earl of Cottenham, 7th Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 7th Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 9th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 10th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street. Angela Neville Countess Cottenham [aged 33] by marriage Countess of Cottenham.
On 12th May 1968 John Digby Pepys 7th Earl of Cottenham [aged 60] died. His son Kenelm [aged 19] succeeded 8th Earl of Cottenham, 8th Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 8th Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 10th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 11th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.
On 20th October 2000 Kenelm Charles Pepys 8th Earl of Cottenham [aged 51] died. His son Mark [aged 17] succeeded 9th Earl of Cottenham, 9th Viscount Crowhurst of Crowhurst in Surrey, 9th Baron Cottenham of Cottenham in Cambridgshire, 11th Baronet Pepys of Wimpole Street, 12th Baronet Pepys of Brook Street.