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: Carolingian
Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks and Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor and Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
Around 768 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 25] and [his step-mother] Himiltrude Queen of the Franks and Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen of the Franks, Queen Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress.
Around 770 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 27] and Desiderata Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress were married. She by marriage Queen of the Franks, Queen Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress.
Around 771 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 28] and [his mother] Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress were married. She by marriage Queen of the Franks, Queen Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress.
In 778 Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks was born to [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 35] and [his mother] Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
In 781 Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 3] succeeded King Aquitaine.
In 784 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 41] and [his step-mother] Fastrada Queen of the Franks and Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Queen of the Franks, Queen Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress. The difference in their ages was 22 years.
Around 794 Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 16] and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 51] and Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
In 794 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 51] and [his step-mother] Luitgarde Alamannian Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress were married. She by marriage Queen of the Franks, Queen Lombardy, Holy Roman Empress.
In 795 [his son] Lothair Holy Roman Emperor was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 17] and [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 17]. He married 821 Ermengarde Tours Queen Consort Bavaria Queen Consort Middle Francia and had issue.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 797 [his son] Pepin I King Aquitaine was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 19] and [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 19]. He married 822 Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine and had issue.
Around 799 [his son] Adelaide Carolingian was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 21] and [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 21].
In 800 [his son] Rotrude Carolingian was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 22] and [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 22].
On 25th December 800 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 58] was crowned Holy Roman Emperor at St Peter's Basilica by Pope Leo III.
On 25th December 800 [his brother] Charles "Younger" King of the Franks [aged 28] was crowned King of the Franks.
Around 802 [his son] Hildegard Carolingian was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 24] and [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 24].
Around 804 [his son] Louis "German" II King East Francia was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 26] and [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 26]. He married in or before 828 Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia and had issue.
On 4th December 811 [his brother] Charles "Younger" King of the Franks [aged 39] died at Bavaria.
In 813 Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 35] succeeded I King of the Franks. Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks [aged 16] by marriage Queen Consort Franks.
On 28th January 814 [his father] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 71] died. His son Louis [aged 36] succeeded King of the Franks.
On 3rd October 818 [his wife] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 40] died.
In 821 Lothair Holy Roman Emperor [aged 26] and Ermengarde Tours Queen Consort Bavaria Queen Consort Middle Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Bavaria. Holy Roman Emperor. He the son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 43] and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
In 822 Pepin I King Aquitaine [aged 25] and Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine were married. He the son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 44] and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
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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In 823 [his illegitimate half-sister] Drogo Carolingian Bishop Metz [aged 22] was appointed Bishop Metz.
On 13th June 823 [his son] Charles "Bald" I King West Francia was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 45] and Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks [aged 26]. He married (1) Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia and had issue (2) Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia, daughter of Odi Orléans 1st Count Orléans, and had issue.
In or before 828 Louis "German" II King East Francia [aged 23] and Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort East Francia. He the son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 49] and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
On 13th December 838 Pepin I King Aquitaine [aged 41] died. His son Pepin [aged 15] succeeded II King Aquitaine.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 840. This year [his grandson-in-law] King Ethelwulf fought at Charmouth with thirty-five ship's-crews, and the Danes remained masters of the place. The Emperor Louis [aged 62] died this year.
On 20th June 840 Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 62] died. His son Pepin succeeded I King Aquitaine. Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine.
[his daughter] Gisela Carolingian was born to Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks and Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks.
Kings Franks: Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor