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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Biography of Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal 1202-1259

Maternal Family Tree: Agatha

Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal was created Queen Consort Portugal.

Before 1190 [her father] Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale (age 24) and Marie Chatillon were married.

In 1190 [her father] Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale (age 25) and [her mother] Ida Metz Countess Boulogne (age 30) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Matthew Metz Count Boulogne and [her grandmother] Marie Blois I Countess Boulogne.

In 1202 Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal was born to [her father] Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale (age 37) and [her mother] Ida Metz Countess Boulogne (age 42). She a great granddaughter of King Stephen I England.

In 1204 [her father] Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale (age 39) was appointed I Count Aumale.

In 1216 [her mother] Ida Metz Countess Boulogne (age 56) died.

In 1227 [her father] Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale (age 62) committed suicide.

In 1239 Alfonso III King Portugal (age 28) and Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal (age 37) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. She the daughter of Renaud Dammartin I Count Boulogne, Dammartin and Aumale and Ida Metz Countess Boulogne. He the son of Alfonso "Fat" II King Portugal and Urraca Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal. They were third cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great granddaughter of King Stephen I England.

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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On 4th January 1248 [her brother-in-law] Sancho "Pious" II King Portugal (age 38) died. His brother [her husband] Alfonso (age 37) succeeded III King Portugal.

In 1253 Alfonso III King Portugal (age 42) and Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal (age 51) were divorced.

In 1253 [her husband] Alfonso III King Portugal (age 42) and Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal (age 11) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. The difference in their ages was 31 years. She the illegitmate daughter of Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon (age 31) and Mayor Guillén de Guzmán (age 48). He the son of Alfonso "Fat" II King Portugal and Urraca Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal. They were first cousin twice removed. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.