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 Soissons is in Counts of France.
See: Count Soissons.
In 907 Herbert II Count Vermandois, Soissons and Meaux succeeded II Count Vermandois, II Count Soissons, II Count Meaux. Adela Capet Countess Vermandois, Soissons and Meaux by marriage Countess Vermandois, Countess Soissons, Countess Meaux.
In 1057 Guy of Bar Sur Aube II Count Soissons died. His sister Adelaide succeeded Countess Soissons. William Busac Normandy Count Soissons [aged 37] by marriage Count Soissons.
In 1057 Renaud of Bar Sur Aube I Count Soissons [aged 72] died. His son Guy succeeded II Count Soissons.
In 1076 William Busac Normandy Count Soissons [aged 56] died. His son Renaud succeeded II Count Soissons.
In 1099 Renaud Normandy II Count Soissons died. His brother John succeeded I Count Soissons.
Before 1115 John Normandy I Count Soissons and Aveline Peirrefonds Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. He the son of William Busac Normandy Count Soissons and Adelaide of Bar Sur Aube Countess Soissons.
After 1115 John Normandy I Count Soissons died. His son Renaud succeeded III Count Soissons.
In 1141 Ivo Nesle II Count Soissons succeeded II Count Soissons.
In 1178 Ivo Nesle II Count Soissons died. His nephew Conon succeeded I Count Soissons.
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 1180 Conon Nesle I Count Soissons died. His brother Raoul succeeded I Count Soissons.
Before May 1234 John "Good and Stammerer" Nesle II Count Soissons and Mary Chimay Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. He the son of Raoul "Good" Nesle I Count Soissons and Adèle Capet Countess Soissons.
On 4th January 1235 Raoul "Good" Nesle I Count Soissons died. His son John succeeded II Count Soissons.
After 1241 John "Good and Stammerer" Nesle II Count Soissons and Matilda Amboise Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. He the son of Raoul "Good" Nesle I Count Soissons and Adèle Capet Countess Soissons. They were second cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
Around 1271 John "Good and Stammerer" Nesle II Count Soissons died. His son John succeeded III Count Soissons.
Before 8th October 1286 John Nesle III Count Soissons died. His son John succeeded IV Count Soissons.
Before May 1302 John Nesle IV Count Soissons died. His son John [aged 21] succeeded V Count Soissons.
In 1304 Hugh Nesle Count Soissons succeeded Count Soissons.
In 1304 John Beaumont Count Soissons [aged 16] by marriage Count Soissons.
Around January 1308 Hugh Nesle Count Soissons died. His daughter Margaret [aged 3] succeeded Countess Soissons.
In 1344 Jeanne Beaumont Count Soissons, Blois, Chatillon and Namur [aged 21] succeeded Countess Soissons.
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 1404 Louis Valois I Duke Orléans [aged 31] was appointed Count Soissons.
On 14th May 1462 Jeanne of Bar Countess Soissons [aged 47] died. Her son John succeeded Count Soissons.
On 13th March 1569 Louis Bourbon Prince Condé [aged 38] was killed after surrendering at the Battle of Jarnac. His son Henri [aged 16] succeeded Prince Condé. His son Charles [aged 2] succeeded Count Soissons.
In 1601 Charles Bourbon Condé Count Soissons [aged 34] and Anne Montafié Countess Soissons [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. He the son of Louis Bourbon Prince Condé and Francoise Valois Princess Condé [aged 51].
Louis Chatillon III Count Blois Count Soissons was appointed Count Soissons.
Ivo Nesle II Count Soissons and Yolande Flanders Countess Saint Pol, La Marche and Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. She the daughter of Baldwin Flanders IV Count Hainaut and Alice Namur Countess Hainault.
Guy Vermandois I Count Soissons was appointed I Count Soissons.
John Nesle III Count Soissons and Margaret Montfort Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. She the daughter of Amaury Montfort and Beatrix Viennois. He the son of John "Good and Stammerer" Nesle II Count Soissons and Mary Chimay Countess Soissons.
Conon Nesle I Count Soissons and Agather Dreux Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons.
John Nesle IV Count Soissons and Marguerite Rumigny Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. He the son of John Nesle III Count Soissons and Margaret Montfort Countess Soissons.
Renaud of Bar Sur Aube I Count Soissons was appointed I Count Soissons.
Robert of Bar Count Soissons Count Marle and Jeanne Countess Marle, Soissons and Meaux were married. She by marriage Countess Marle, Countess Soissons. He the son of Henry of Bar and Marie de Coucy Countess Soissons.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Raoul "Good" Nesle I Count Soissons and Adèle Capet Countess Soissons were married. She by marriage Countess Soissons. She the daughter of Robert "Great" Capet I Count Dreux and Hawise Salisbury Countess Dreux.