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: Capet
Maternal Family Tree: Clemence Roches Countess Blois
On 25 or 26th December 1251 [her future husband] King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 10] and Margaret Queen of Scotland [aged 11] were married at York Minster [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. The couple \remained in York until Jan 1252 after which they travelled to Edinburgh. She the daughter of King Henry III of England [aged 44] and Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England [aged 28]. He the son of King Alexander II of Scotland and Marie Coucy [aged 33]. They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 20th March 1263 Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland was born to Robert Capet IV Count Dreux and Beatrice Montfort Countess Dreux [aged 14].
In 1275 [her future husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 13] and Marie Limoges Duchess Brittany were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany 1221 Dreux. He the son of [her future father-in-law] John II Duke Brittany [aged 36] and Beatrice Plantagenet [aged 32]. They were third cousins. He a grandson of King Henry III of England.
In 1282 [her father] Robert Capet IV Count Dreux died.
On 15th October 1285 King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 44] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. The difference in their ages was 21 years. She the daughter of Robert Capet IV Count Dreux and Beatrice Montfort Countess Dreux [aged 36]. He the son of King Alexander II of Scotland and Marie Coucy. They were half second cousin twice removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On 19th March 1286 [her husband] King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 44] died from a fall from a horse at Kinghorn Ness while riding in the dark to visit the Queen [aged 22] at Kinghorn in Fife because it was her birthday the next day. His granddaughter Margaret [aged 2] succeeded I Queen Scotland.
Annals of Six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet. In the season of Lent of this year, when [her husband] Alexander [aged 44], King of the Scots, wished to visit his wife, daughter of the Count of Flanders, whom he had married after Margaret, daughter of the King of England, on a certain very dark night, his horse stumbling, he fell and, being grievously injured, died1. He had by his second wife no offspring, but by his first he had twins, namely a son Alexander, and a daughter named Margaret. Alexander, without issue, preceded his father in untimely death, and the daughter Margaret, having been betrothed to the King of Norway, bore a single daughter named Margaret, who survived her mother, now dead. This child, with the King of England having been consulted, was acknowledged by the magnates of Scotland as heir of that kingdom, and when she had been summoned by messengers of the King of England, as she was making for Scotland by ship, having fallen ill at sea, she died in the Orkney Islands.
Tempore Quadragesimali hujus anni, cum Alexander Scotorum rex uxorem suam, filiam comitis Flandriæ, quam post Margaretam filiam regis Angliæ duxerat, nocte quadam admodum obscura visitare voluisset, cespitante equo lapsus, et collisus graviter, exspiravit. Hic de secunda uxore nullam, de prima vero prolem geminam, filium scilicet Alexandrum, et filiam genuit nomine Margaretam. Alexander absque prole patrem immatura morte prævenit; filia Margareta regi Norwegiæ desponsata, filiam unicam peperit nomine Margaretam, quæ matri jam mortuæ supervixit. Hanc, consulto rege Angliæ, magnates Scotiæ regni illius recognoverunt heredem; quæ accersita per nuntios regis Angliæ, cum per navigium tenderet in Scotiam, infirmata in mari, apud Orcades insulas est defuncta.
Note 1. The author places this event in the wrong year. King Alexander III of Scotland died on 19th March 1286. The date being the day before his wife Yolande of Dreux [aged 22], the purpose of his rash journey to be with her on her birthday. His son Alexander had predeceased him aged twenty without issue. His daughter Margaret, Queen of Norway, predeceased him in 1283 shortly after having given birth to a daughter, also Margaret, known as the 'Maid of Norway'. In 1290 Margaret died at Orkney on her journey from Norway to Scotland. Her death led to a succession crisis with numerous claimants to the Scottish throne.
In or before 1295 Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 33] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 31] were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany 1221 Dreux. She the daughter of Robert Capet IV Count Dreux and Beatrice Montfort Countess Dreux [aged 46]. He the son of John II Duke Brittany [aged 55] and Beatrice Plantagenet. They were third cousins. He a grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
In 1295 [her daughter] Beatrice Montfort was born to [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 33] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 31]. She a great granddaughter of King Henry III of England. She married Guy 10th de Laval Baron and had issue.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1295 [her son] John Montfort IV Duke Brittany was born to [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 33] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 31] at Hennebont. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England. He married 1329 his third cousin once removed Joanna of Flanders Duchess Brittany, daughter of Louis Dampierre I Count Nevers and Joan Rethel Countess Nevers and Rethel, and had issue.
In 1296 [her daughter] Joan Montfort was born to [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 34] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 32]. She a great granddaughter of King Henry III of England. She married her third cousin Robert Dampierre Count Marle, son of Robert Dampierre III Count Flanders and Yolande Burgundy II Countess Nevers and Flanders, and had issue.
In 1297 [her daughter] Alice Montfort was born to [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 35] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 33]. She a great granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
In 1297 [her step-son] John III Duke Brittany [aged 10] and Isabelle Valois Duchess Brittany [aged 5] were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany 1221 Dreux. She the daughter of Charles Valois I Count Valois [aged 26] and Margaret Capet Countess Valois [aged 24]. They were third cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Around 1300 [her daughter] Blanche Montfort was born to [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 38] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 36]. She a great granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
In 1302 [her daughter] Marie Montfort was born to [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 40] and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 38]. She a great granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 18th November 1305 [her father-in-law] John II Duke Brittany [aged 66] died. His son [her husband] Arthur [aged 44] succeeded 3rd Duke Brittany 1221 Dreux.
On 15th October 1306 [her brother-in-law] John Capet 4th Earl Richmond [aged 40] was restored 4th Earl Richmond.
In 1310 [her step-son] John III Duke Brittany [aged 23] and Isabella of Castile Queen Consort Aragon [aged 27] were married. She by marriage Duchess Brittany 1221 Dreux. She the daughter of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1312 [her step-son] Peter Capet [aged 23] died.
On 9th March 1312 [her mother] Beatrice Montfort Countess Dreux [aged 63] died.
On 27th August 1312 [her husband] Arthur II Duke Brittany [aged 51] died.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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In 1329 John Montfort IV Duke Brittany [aged 34] and Joanna of Flanders Duchess Brittany [aged 34] were married at Chartres [Map]. She the daughter of Louis Dampierre I Count Nevers and Joan Rethel Countess Nevers and Rethel. He the son of Arthur II Duke Brittany and Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 65]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England.
On 2nd August 1330 Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland [aged 67] died.
[her father] Robert Capet IV Count Dreux and [her mother] Beatrice Montfort Countess Dreux were married. She by marriage Countess Dreux. He the son of [her grandfather] John Capet I Count Dreux and [her grandmother] Marie Dampierre Countess Dreux.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Yolande of Bar Queen Consort Aragon [1]
Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland [2]
Francis II King France King Consort Scotland [1]
Elizabeth Valois Queen Consort Spain [1]
Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine [1]
Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress [1]
Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia [3]
Marie Françoise Élisabeth of Savoy Queen Consort of Portugal [4]
Victor Amadeus King Sardinia [5]
Francis I Holy Roman Emperor [1]
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis VI King of the Franks 
2 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert "Great" Capet I Count Dreux 3 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France 11 x Great Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Capet II Count Dreux 4 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Baudemont Countess Dreux
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Capet III Count Dreux 5 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Enguerrand Coucy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Raoul Coucy 4 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Beaugency 3 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandmother: Yolande Coucy Countess Dreux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin Flanders IV Count Hainaut 4 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Flanders 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Namur Countess Hainault 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
GrandFather: John Capet I Count Dreux 6 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald St Valery
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bernard St Valery
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas St Valery
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Donart
Great x 1 Grandmother: Aénor de Saint-Valéry 7 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Montgomery II Count Ponthieu 4 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Montgomery I Count Ponthieu 5 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Countess Ponthieu
Great x 2 Grandmother: Adele Ponthieu 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice St Pol Countess Ponthieu
Father: Robert Capet IV Count Dreux 7 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Dampierre
Great x 4 Grandmother: Helvide Baudémont
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre
Great x 1 Grandfather: Archambaud "Great" Dampierre
Great x 3 Grandfather: Archambaud Bouron
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mathilde Bouron
GrandMother: Marie Dampierre Countess Dreux
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Montluçon
Yolande of Dreux Queen of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Simon "Chauve" Montfort 4th Count Évreux
Great x 3 Grandfather: Simon Montfort
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Unknown Countess Évreux
Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon "Elder" Montfort 5th Earl of Leicester 6 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Beaumont 3rd Earl of Leicester 
4 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Amicia Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Petronilla Grandesmil Countess Leicester
Great x 1 Grandfather: Amaury Montfort 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Mathieu I Montmorency
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bouchard V Montmorency Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Aline Fitzroy 
Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alix Montmorency Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: Jean Montfort 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guigues VI Viennois
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrix Viennois
Mother: Beatrice Montfort Countess Dreux 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugues Chateaudun IV Viscount Châteaudun
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugues Chateaudun V Viscount Châteaudun
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marguerite Saint Calais Viscountess Châteaudun
Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Chateaudun V Viscount Châteaudun
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gosbert Preuiily
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jeanne Preuiily Viscountess Châteaudun
Great x 1 Grandfather: Geoffrey Chateaudun VI Viscount Châteaudun
GrandMother: Jeanne Chateaudun
Great x 1 Grandmother: Clemence Roches Countess Blois