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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Great Nephew is in Great Nephew and Niece.
On 5th December 1244 Joan I Countess Flanders [aged 45] died. Her sister Margaret [aged 42] succeeded II Countess Flanders. Her great nephew John succeeded II Count Hainault, II Count Holland.
In 1408 Margaret Audley died. Her great nephew John [aged 36] abeyance terminated 4th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire. Elizabeth Stafford Baroness Audley Heighley by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire.
In 1411 Edward Latimer 6th Baron Latimer of Braybrook [aged 66] died. His great nephew John [aged 31] de jure 7th Baron Latimer of Braybrook although he was never summoned to Parliament.
On 29th December 1630 Oliver St John 1st Viscount Grandison [aged 71] died. His great nephew William [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Viscount Grandison. Mary Bayning Countess Anglesey [aged 7] by marriage Viscountess Grandison.
On 8th December 1680 Henry Pierrepont 1st Marquess Dorchester [aged 74] died. He was buried at Holme Pierrepoint, Nottinghamshire [Map]. Marquess Dorchester extinct. His great nephew Robert [aged 20] succeeded 3rd Earl Kingston upon Hull, 3rd Viscount Newark, 3rd Baron Pierrepont of Holme Pierrepoint.
In 1686 Philip Wenman 3rd Viscount Wenman [aged 76] died without male issue. His great nephew Richard [aged 29] succeeded 4th Viscount Wenman of Tuam.
On 12th April 1706 Thomas Howard 3rd Earl Berkshire [aged 86] died. His great nephew Henry [aged 20] succeeded 4th Earl Berkshire, 4th Viscount Andover in Hampshire, 4th Baron Howard of Charlton in Wiltshire. Catherine Graham Countess Berkshire and Suffolk by marriage Countess Berkshire.
6th July 1711 Charles Fairfax 5th Viscount Fairfax died. His great nephew Charles succeeded 6th Viscount Fairfax of Emley in Tipperary.
On 28th July 1714 Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth [aged 74] died. His great nephew Thomas [aged 4] succeeded 2nd Viscount Weymouth, 2nd Baron Thynne of Warminster in Wiltshire, 3rd Baronet Thynne of Kempsford in Gloucestershire.
On 27th March 1716 Edward Harington 5th Baronet [aged 76] died without issue. He was buried at St Swithin's Church, Merton where there is an inscription: "Here lies interred the body of Sir EDWARD HARINGTON, who died November the 7th, 1717, aged 76 years. A noble birth, a fancy bright and fine A temper charming, sweet, and grace divine; These all did once conspire to beautify The dust that now beneath this stone doth lye.". His great nephew James succeeded 6th Baronet Harington of Ridlington in Rutlandshire.
On 1st July 1726 Robert Chaplin 1st Baronet [aged 56] died. His great nephew John [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Baronet Chaplin of the Inner Temple in London.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 19th August 1758 Mary Hay 14th Countess Erroll died at Slains Castle, Slains. Her great nephew James [aged 32] succeeded 15th Earl Erroll.
On 19th May 1798 William Byron 5th Baron Byron [aged 75] was killed in action by cannon fire whilst fighting in Corsica. His great nephew George [aged 10] succeeded 6th Baron Byron of Rochdale in Lancashire.
On 2nd February 1802 Welbore Ellis 1st Baron Mendip [aged 88] died. His great nephew Henry [aged 41] succeeded 2nd Baron Mendip of Mendip in Somerset.
In 22nd January 1816 Drummond Smith 1st Baronet [aged 76] died with remainder to the heirs male of his niece Augusta, daughter of his eldest brother Joshua Smith [aged 81]. His great nephew Charles [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Baronet Smith of Tring Park in Hertfordshire.
In 1817 John 1st Lombe Baronet [aged 86] died. His great nephew Richard [aged 35] succeeded 2nd Baronet Lombe aka Jodrell of Salle Park in Norfolk.
In 1820 John Methuen Poore 1st Baronet [aged 75] died. His great nephew Edward [aged 24] succeeded 2nd Baronet Poore of Rushall in Wiltshire. Agnes Marjoribanks Lady Poore [aged 20] by marriage Lady Poore of Rushall in Wiltshire.
On 23rd October 1834 William Hicks 7th Baronet [aged 79] died. His great nephew Michael [aged 24] succeeded 8th Baronet Hicks-Beach of Beverston in Gloucestershire.
On 12th February 1865 Algernon Percy 4th Duke Northumberland [aged 72] died without issue. His first cousin George [aged 86] succeeded 5th Duke Northumberland, 8th Baronet Smithson of Stanwick in Yorkshire. His great nephew John [aged 24] succeeded 6th Baron Percy. Baron Lovain extinct.
On 14th January 1868 John Chandos Reade 7th Baronet [aged 83] died. He was buried at St Philip's Church, Little Rollright. His will makes no mention of any relative, but (to the exclusion of his heir at law) devises the Shipton Court estate and (with trifling exception) all his real and personal estate to Joseph Wakefield, apparently his servant, whom he directs to take his name. The will was declared valid, and pr. 24 June 1868 when the devise took effect. His great nephew Chandos [aged 16] succeeded 8th Baronet Reade of Barton in Berkshire.
In October 1870 Arthur George Onslow 3rd Earl Onslow [aged 92] died. His great nephew William [aged 17] succeeded 4th Earl Onslow, 4th Viscount Cranley, 7th Baron Onslow, 8th Baronet Onslow of West Clandon in Surrey, 9th Baronet Foote of London. Florence Coulston Gardner Countess Onslow [aged 17] by marriage Countess Onslow.
On 30th September 1899 Philip Reginald Cocks 5th Baron Somers [aged 84] died. His great nephew Arthur [aged 12] succeeded 6th Baron Somers.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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On 1st February 1926 Henry Herbert Wombwell 5th Baronet [aged 85] died. His great nephew Frederick [aged 15] succeeded 6th Baronet Wombwell of Wombwell in Yorkshire.
On 20th February 1937 Charles Gordon 11th Marquess Huntly [aged 89] died. His great nephew Douglas [aged 29] succeeded 12th Marquess Huntly, 17th Earl Huntley, 8th Earl Aboyne.
On 19th July 1966 Fenella Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis [aged 76] died. Her great nephew Gerard [aged 32] abeyance terminated 22nd Baron Clinton.
On 13th March 1969 Robert Foljambe 4th Earl of Liverpool [aged 81] died. His great nephew Edward [aged 24] succeeded 5th Earl Liverpool.