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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Count Provence is in Counts of France.
In 968 William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles [aged 18] was created 1st Count Provence.
Around 984 William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles [aged 34] and Adelaide Blanche Ingelger Queen Consort West Francia [aged 44] were married. She by marriage Countess Provence, Countess Arles. She the daughter of Fulk "Good" Ingelger 2nd Count Anjou and Gerberge Unknown Viscountess Anjou.
After 29th August 993 William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles [deceased] died. His son William [aged 12] succeeded 2nd Count Provence.
Around 30th May 1018 William "Pious" Arles 2nd Count Provence [aged 37] died. His son William succeeded 4th Count Provence. His son Fulk succeeded 1st Count Provence. Hildegard Countess Provence by marriage Countess Provence.
Around 27th April 1051 Fulk Bertrand Arles 1st Count Provence died. His son William succeeded 5th Count Provence.
Around February 1062 Geoffrey Arles 1st Count Arles 1st Count Provence died. His son Bertrand succeeded 2nd Count Provence.
In 1185 Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence [aged 11] was appointed II Count Provence by his father [aged 27].
In 1193 Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence [aged 19] and Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. He the son of Alfonso II King Aragon [aged 35] and Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon [aged 38].
In February 1209 Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence [aged 35] died at Palermo [Map] whilst accompanying his sister Constance [aged 30] to her wedding. His son Raymond [aged 11] succeeded IV Count Provence.
On 5th June 1219 Raymond IV Count Provence [aged 21] and Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. She the daughter of Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy [aged 41] and Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy [aged 39]. He the son of Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence and Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence [aged 39]. They were fourth cousins.
Geoffrey Arles 1st Count Arles 1st Count Provence and Etienette Countess Provence and Arles were married. She by marriage Countess Provence, Countess Arles. He the son of William "Pious" Arles 2nd Count Provence and Gerbergam Ivrea Countess Provence.
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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William Bertrand Arles 5th Count Provence and Theresa Jiménez Countess Provence were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. She the daughter of Ramiro Sánchez I King Aragon and Gisberga or Ermesinda Bigorre Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of Fulk Bertrand Arles 1st Count Provence and Hildegard Countess Provence.
William Bertrand Arles 5th Count Provence and Adelaide Cavenez Countess Provence were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. He the son of Fulk Bertrand Arles 1st Count Provence and Hildegard Countess Provence.
Geoffrey Arles 2nd Count Provence Count Forcalquier and Ermengarde Countess Provence and Forcalquier were married. She by marriage Countess Provence, Countess Forcalquier. He the son of Fulk Bertrand Arles 1st Count Provence and Hildegard Countess Provence.
Geoffrey Arles 1st Count Arles 1st Count Provence succeeded 1st Count Provence.
William "Pious" Arles 2nd Count Provence and Gerbergam Ivrea Countess Provence were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. She the daughter of Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy and Ermentrude Countess Burgundy. He the son of William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles and Arsenda Comminges Countess Provence and Arles.
William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles and Arsenda Comminges Countess Provence and Arles were married. She by marriage Countess Provence, Countess Arles.
Bertrand Arles 2nd Count Provence and Matilda Countess Provence were married. She by marriage Countess Provence. He the son of Geoffrey Arles 1st Count Arles 1st Count Provence and Etienette Countess Provence and Arles.