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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Wiltshire River Avon is in Christchurch Harbour.
The Wiltshire River Avon is formed from the confluence of the River Avon West, Wiltshire and River Avon East, Wiltshire one kilometre before Upavon, Wiltshire [Map] after which it flows broadly south past East Chisenbury, Wiltshire [Map], Enford, Wiltshire [Map], Fifield, Wiltshire [Map], Fittleton, Wiltshire [Map], Netheravon, Wiltshire [Map], Figheldean, Wiltshire [Map], Durrington Walls, around Amesbury, Wiltshire [Map] and past Amesbury Abbey, Wiltshire [Map], Wilsford, Wiltshire [Map], Great Durnford, Wiltshire [Map], Middle Woodford, Wiltshire [Map], Little Durnford, Wiltshire [Map], Old Sarum [Map], Stratford sub Castle, Wiltshire [Map], through Salisbury where it is joined by the River Nadder
After Salisbury the Wiltshire River Avon flows south in multiple channels past Longford Castle, Wiltshire [Map], after which it is joined by the River Eble, then Charlton-All-Saints, Wiltshire [Map], Downton, Wiltshire [Map], Breamore, Hampshire [Map], Burgate, Hampshire [Map], Fordingbridge, Hampshire [Map], Bickton, Hampshire [Map], Ibsley, Hampshire [Map], Ringwood, Hampshire [Map], Bistern, Hampshire [Map], Sopley, Hampshire [Map], Avon, Dorset [Map] and Christchurch, Dorset [Map] before reaching Christchurch Harbour where it joins the English Channel.
Ratfyn, Wiltshire [Map] is believed to have been the location of the ford across the Wiltshire River Avon of the Harrow Way?
The River Allen rises at Martin, Hampshire [Map] from where it flows south-east through Damerham, Hampshire [Map] and Alderholt Mill [Map] to Fordingbridge, Hampshire [Map] where it joins the Wiltshire River Avon.
The River Bourne rises at West Grafton, Wiltshire [Map] from where it flows past Collingbourne Kingston, Wiltshire [Map], Collingbourne Ducis, Wiltshire [Map], Tidworth, Wiltshire [Map], Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire [Map], Cholderton, Wiltshire [Map], Newton Tony, Wiltshire [Map], Allington, Wiltshire [Map], Boscombe, Wiltshire [Map], West Gomeldon, Wiltshire [Map], Laverstock, Wiltshire [Map] after which it joins the Wiltshire River Avon at Salisbury.
The River Eble rises around two kilometres west of Alvediston, Wiltshire [Map] through which it then flows, then Ebbesbourne Wake, Wiltshire [Map], Broad Chalke, Wiltshire [Map], Bishopstone, Wiltshire [Map], Stratford Tony, Wiltshire [Map], Coombe Bissett, Wiltshire [Map], Homington, Wiltshire [Map], Odstock, Wiltshire [Map] after which it joins the Wiltshire River Avon.
The River Nadder rises at Wincombe Park, Wiltshire [Map] from where it flows past Donhead St Andrew, Wiltshire [Map], Wardour, Wiltshire [Map], where it is joined by the River Sem, Tisbury, Wiltshire [Map], Upper [Map] and Lower [Map] Chicksgrove, Teffont Evias, Wiltshire [Map], Barford St Martin, Wiltshire [Map], Burcombe, Wiltshire [Map] and Wilton, Wiltshire [Map], where it is joined by the River Wylye, past Quidhampton, Wiltshire [Map] after which if joins the Wiltshire River Avon at Salisbury.
The River Wylye rises on the White Sheet Downs, Wiltshire [Map] from where it flows past Kingston Deverill, Wiltshire [Map], Monkton Deverill, Wiltshire [Map], Brixton Deverill, Wiltshire [Map], Hill Deverill, Wiltshire [Map], Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire [Map], one kilometre south of Warminster, Wiltshire [Map], Bishopstrow, Wiltshire [Map], Norton Bavant, Wiltshire [Map], Heytesbury, Wiltshire [Map], Upton Lovell, Wiltshire [Map], Boyton, Wiltshire [Map], Sherrington, Wiltshire [Map], Codford St Mary, Wiltshire [Map], Fisherton de la Mere, Wiltshire [Map], Wylye, Wiltshire [Map], Steeple Langford, Wiltshire [Map] after which it is joined by the River Till at Sherrington, Wiltshire [Map].
Thereafter it flows around Great Wishford, Wiltshire [Map], South Newton, Wiltshire [Map] to Wilton, Wiltshire [Map] where it joins the River Nadder.
The River Till rises at Tilshead Wiltshire [Map] from where it flows through Orcheston, Wiltshire [Map], Elston, Wiltshire [Map], Shrewton, Wiltshire [Map], Winterbourne Stoke, Wiltshire [Map], Berwick St James, Wiltshire [Map], where its name appears to become the River Wylye, then Stapleford, Wiltshire [Map] after which it joins the River Wylye at Sherrington, Wiltshire [Map].
Sweatfords Water rises a kilometre north-west of Rockbourne, Hampshire [Map] from where it flows south-west to Fordingbridge, Hampshire [Map] where it joins the Wiltshire River Avon.
