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: Wittelsbach
Maternal Family Tree: Sophie Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark 1557-1631
On 14th February 1613 [his father] Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine [aged 16] and [his mother] Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia [aged 16] were married at Chapel Royal, Whitehall Palace. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 46] and [his grandmother] Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland [aged 38]. He the son of Frederick IV Elector Palatine and Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine [aged 36]. They were fourth cousin once removed.
A grand occasion that saw more royalty than ever visit the court of England. The marriage was an enormously popular match and was the occasion for an outpouring of public affection with the ceremony described as "a wonder of ceremonial and magnificence even for that extravagant age".
It was celebrated with lavish and sophisticated festivities both in London and Heidelberg, including mass feasts and lavish furnishings that cost nearly £50,000, and nearly bankrupted King James. Among many celebratory writings of the events was John Donne's [aged 41] "Epithalamion, Or Marriage Song on the Lady Elizabeth, and Count Palatine being married on St Valentine's Day".
On 16th January 1621 Maurice Palatinate Simmern was born to Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine [aged 24] and Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia [aged 24]. He a grandson of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.
On 29th November 1632 [his father] Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine [aged 36] died.
John Evelyn's Diary. 27th May 1641. Arrived at Hague, I went first to the [his mother] Queen of Bohemia's [aged 44] Court, where I had the honour to kiss her Majesty's hand, and several of the Princesses' her daughters. Prince Maurice [aged 20] was also there, newly come out of Germany, and my Lord Finch [aged 19], not long before fled out of England from the fury of the Parliament. It was a fasting-day with the Queen for the unfortunate death of her [his father] husband, and the presence-chamber had been hung with black velvet ever since his decease.
On 23rd September 1642 Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 21] was wounded at during the Battle of Powick Bridge.
Lawrence Carey [aged 32] was killed.
Charles Lucas [aged 29] was wounded.
On 23rd October 1642 the Battle of Edge Hill was fought at Edge Hill [Map]. The Royal army was commanded by [his uncle] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 41] (with his son King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 12] present), [his brother] Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland [aged 22] and Richard Spencer [aged 49] commanded the army that included Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 21], Richard Byron 2nd Baron Byron [aged 36], Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland [aged 32], Charles Cavendish [aged 22], Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet [aged 24], Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton [aged 41], Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet [aged 30], John Byron 1st Baron Byron [aged 43] and William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 55].
George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny [aged 24] was killed.
Of the Parliamentary army Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh [aged 34] and Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 51]. Oliver St John 5th Baron St John [aged 39] was wounded.
Samuel Sandes [aged 27] commanded a troop of horse.
Richard Sandes [aged 26] was killed.
Thomas Strickland [aged 20] was knighted on the field for his gallantry.
Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet [aged 24] was knighted by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.
William Dugdale [aged 37] witnessed the battle and subsequently surveyed the battlefield.
John Hinton [aged 38] was present.
Edward Verney [aged 52] was killed.
John Assheton [aged 29] was killed.
Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey [aged 59] was killed. His son Montagu [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Earl Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
William Pennyman 1st Baronet [aged 35] commanded a regiment, of which he served as Colonel, which he led for the King.
Edward Stradling 2nd Baronet [aged 42] fought for the King, was captured imprisoned for seven months, and died a month after his release.
On 13th July 1643 a Royalist cavalry force under Lord Wilmot [aged 30] won a crushing victory over the Parliamentarian Army of the West under Sir William Waller [aged 46] at Roundway Down Devizes, Wiltshire.
Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 22] fought.
In 1644 [his brother] Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland [aged 24] was created 1st Duke Cumberland, 1st Earl Holderness by [his uncle] King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 43].
On 27th October 1644 Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 23] fought for the defeated Royalist army at the Second Battle of Newbury at Speen, Newbury [Map]. Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Cleveland [aged 53] was captured. Edward St John [aged 27] was killed.
James Harington 3rd Baronet [aged 36], who had his horse shot from under him, commanded five regiments.
Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport [aged 47] fought for the Royalist Army.
Anthony Mansel of Ischoed was killed fighting for the Royalists.
On 14th June 1645 Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 24] fought at Naseby, Northamptonshire [Map] during the Battle of Naseby for the Royalist army.
John Lucas 1st Baron Lucas Shenfield [aged 38] fought for the King.
Colonel John Russell [aged 25] was wounded.
In October 1646 Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 25] was banished.
In 1649 Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 27] was appointed 443rd Knight of the Garter by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 18].
In September 1652 Peyton Carteret and Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 31] drowned in the Virgin Islands Caribbean when HMS Defiance sank.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 7 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John I Count Palatinate Simmern 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II Count Palatinate Simmern 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick III Elector Palatine 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis VI Elector Palatine 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Frederick IV Elector Palatine 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Father: Frederick Palatinate Simmern V Elector Palatine Rhine 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William "The Rich" I Count of Nassau Dillenburg
Great x 1 Grandfather: William "The Silent" Orange Nassau I Prince Orange
GrandMother: Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bourbon VIII Count Vendôme 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Louis Bourbon Prince of La Roche sur Yon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabelle Beauvau Countess Vendôme
Great x 2 Grandfather: Louis Duke of Montpensier 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Bourbon Count of Monpensier 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Louise Bourbon Duchess of Monpensier 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Clara Gonzaga 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Charlotte Bourbon Princess Orange 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Jean IV de Longwy Seigneur de Givry
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jacqueline de Longwy 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jeanne Valois 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Antoinette Polignac
Maurice Palatinate Simmern Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Matthew Stewart 2nd Earl Lennox 
11 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 3rd Earl Lennox 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Lennox 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Matthew Stewart 4th Earl Lennox 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel or Elizabeth Stewart Countess Lennox 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry "Lord Darnley" Stewart Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Douglas 
9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drummond m Douglas
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Douglas Countess Lennox Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry VII of England and Ireland 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Tudor Queen Scotland Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth York Queen Consort England Daughter of King Edward IV of England
GrandFather: King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: King James III of Scotland 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King James IV of Scotland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Oldenburg Queen Consort Scotland 
Great x 2 Grandfather: King James V of Scotland Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry VII of England and Ireland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Tudor Queen Scotland Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth York Queen Consort England Daughter of King Edward IV of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Queen of Scots Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: René Lorraine II Duke Lorraine Duke of Bar 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Claude Lorraine 1st Duke Guise 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Egmont Duchess of Bar Duchess Lorraine 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Bourbon Count Vendôme and Soissons 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Antoinette Bourbon Duchess of Guise 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Luxemburg Countess Vendôme and Soissons 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia 
Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Christian I King of Denmark
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Frederick I of Denmark
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothea of Brandenburg
Great x 2 Grandfather: Christian III King of Denmark 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "Cicero" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anna of Brandenburg 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret of Thuringia 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Frederick II King of Denmark 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothea of Saxe Lauenburg Queen Consort Denmark and Norway
GrandMother: Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Magnus II Duke of Mecklenburg
Great x 3 Grandfather: Albrecht VII Duke Mecklenburg
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ulrich Mecklenburg-Schwerin 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Joachim "Nestor" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anna Hohenzollern Duchess Mecklenburg 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sophie Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England