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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Paternal Family Tree: Savoy
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy 1180-1252
In 1195 [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy (age 17) and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess Savoy. He the son of [his grandfather] Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy and [his grandmother] Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy.
Around 1207 Archbishop Boniface Savoy was born to [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy (age 29) and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 27).
Around 1217 [his brother] Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy (age 20) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Burgundy Countess Savoy (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Savoy. She the daughter of Hugh III Duke Burgundy and Beatrice of Albon Duchess Burgundy (age 56). He the son of [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy (age 39) and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 37). They were fourth cousins. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
On 5th June 1219 [his brother-in-law] Raymond IV Count Provence (age 21) and [his sister] Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence (age 21) were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. She the daughter of [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy (age 41) and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 39). He the son of Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence and Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence (age 39). They were fourth cousins.
In 1224 [his brother] Bishop William of Savoy was elected Bishop Valence.
On 1st March 1233 [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy (age 55) died. His son [his brother] Amedeo (age 36) succeeded IV Count Savoy.
In 1239 [his brother] Bishop William of Savoy died.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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In April 1240 [his brother] Peter of Savoy 1st Earl of Richmond (age 37) was created 1st Earl Richmond although he never used the title. He had been granted the honour of Richmond rather than the Earldom.
In 1241 [his brother] Archbishop Philip of Savoy (age 34) was elected Bishop Valence.
On 18th December 1244 [his brother] Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy (age 47) and [his sister-in-law] Cecilia Baux Countess Savoy (age 14) were married. She by marriage Countess Savoy. The difference in their ages was 33 years. He the son of [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 64).
In 1245 [his brother] Archbishop Philip of Savoy (age 38) was elected Archbishop of Lyons.
On 15th January 1245 Archbishop Boniface Savoy (age 38) was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury at Lyon, France [Map] by Pope Innocent IV during the First Council of Lyon.
In 1252 [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 72) died.
In 1252 [his brother] Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders (age 53) and [his sister-in-law] Beatrice Fieschi were married. He the son of [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 72).
On 24th June 1253 [his brother] Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy (age 56) died without male issue. His son [his nephew] Boniface (age 8) succeeded Count Savoy.
In 1257 Bishop Hugh de Balsham was elected Bishop of Ely by the monks of Ely contrary to King Henry III of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury Boniface of Savoy (age 50). Boniface declared the election invalid, and attempted to install Adam Marsh in the see. Both sides appealed to Rome. The election was confirmed by Pope Alexander IV in 1257.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In 1257 [his brother-in-law] Baldwin Redvers 7th Earl Devon (age 20) and [his sister] Margherita Savoy Countess Devon were married. She by marriage Countess Devon. She the daughter of [his father] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy and [his mother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy. He the son of Baldwin Redvers 6th Earl Devon and Amice Clare Countess Devon (age 36).
On 10th March 1258 Bishop Walter Branscombe (age 38) was ordained priest and was consecrated Bishop of Exeter by Archbishop Boniface Savoy (age 51).
On 7th February 1259 [his brother] Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders (age 60) died.
In 1263 [his nephew] Boniface Savoy (age 18) died. His uncle [his brother] Peter (age 60) succeeded Count Savoy.
Around 1267 [his sister] Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence (age 69) died.
On 15th May 1268 [his brother] Peter of Savoy 1st Earl of Richmond (age 65) died. He left the Honour of Richmond to his niece [his niece] Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England (age 45) who transferred it to the crown.
On 21st October 1268 Bishop Ainan II was consecrated at Southwark Cathedral [Map] by Archbishop Boniface Savoy (age 61) and Bishop Walter Branscombe (age 48).
In 1273 [his sister] Margherita Savoy Countess Devon died.
On 18th July 1279 Archbishop Boniface Savoy (age 72) died.
Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 4 Grandfather: Otto Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald Ivrea I Count Burgundy 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William I Count Burgundy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy
GrandFather: Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mahaut Albon Countess Savoy
Father: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
GrandMother: Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy
GrandFather: William I Count Geneva
Mother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy