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: Moorcroft
Around 1883 [her father] George Henry Moorcroft (age 26) and [her mother] Caroline Wood were married.
On 16th July 1883 Ada Louise Moorcroft was born to [her father] George Henry Moorcroft (age 26) and [her mother] Caroline Wood at Fernilee, Derbyshire [Map].
1891. 1891 Census Derbyshire Fairfield Page 22. 34 New High Street [Map].
[her father] George Henry Moorcroft (age 34). Head. 35. Carter. His name is given as George Havercroft?
[her mother] Caroline Wood. Wife. 35.
Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 7). Daughter. 6. Scholar.
[her brother] Arthur Moorcroft (age 4). Son. 4.
[her brother] Caroline Moorcroft (age 1). Daughter. 1.
1901. 1901 Census Derbyshire Mellor District 15 Page 4. Lower Bradshaw Farm [Map].
Joseph Hinchliffe. Head. 39.
Sarah Hinchliffe. Wife. 34.
Ernest Hinchcliffe. Son. Possibly 1 month possibly one year.
Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 17). Servant. Single. 16.
In 1904 Richard Waterhouse (age 26) and Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 20) were married.
On 23rd September 1906 [her daughter] Gladys Waterhouse was born to [her husband] Richard Waterhouse (age 29) and Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 23) who were resident at 47 Spring Bank [Map]. Her father is described as a Bleacher. She married Samuel Marsland.
Richard Waterhouse: On 27th August 1877 he was born to William Waterhouse and Matilda Graham. In 1904 Richard Waterhouse and Ada Louise Moorcroft were married. On 26th January 1952 Richard Waterhouse died.
On 13th February 1910 [her son] George William Waterhouse was born to [her husband] Richard Waterhouse (age 32) and Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 26) who were living at 5 Bridge Street [Map]. His father is described as a Labourer. He was baptised on 6th March 1910.
1911. 1911 Census Derbyshire New Mills Bridge Street. 5 Bridge Street [Map].
[her husband] Richard Waterhouse (age 33). Head. 32.
Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 27). Wife. 26.
[her daughter] Gladys Waterhouse (age 4). Daughter. 4.
[her son] George William Waterhouse. Son. 1.
George Cawley. Boarder. 28. Single. Police Constable.
On or before 17th May 1916 [her daughter] Lily Waterhouse was born to [her husband] Richard Waterhouse (age 38) and Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 32) at 5 Bridge Street [Map]. She was baptised on 17th May 1916. Her father is described as a Labourer. She married July 1934 Stanley Chadwick and had issue.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On or before 9th January 1931 [her father] George Henry Moorcroft (age 74) died at New Mills, Derbyshire [Map]. His abode was 4 Buxton Road [Map].
George Henry Moorcroft: In 1857 he was born to Thomas Moorcroft and Eliza Harvey at Kingsley Holt, Staffordshire. Around 1883 George Henry Moorcroft and Caroline Wood were married.
In July 1934 [her son-in-law] Stanley Chadwick (age 22) and [her daughter] Lily Waterhouse (age 18) were married at Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map].
On 26th January 1952 [her husband] Richard Waterhouse (age 74) died.
In 1963 Ada Louise Moorcroft (age 79) died at New Mills, Derbyshire [Map].
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Moocroft
Great x 1 Grandfather: Samuel Moorcroft
GrandFather: Thomas Moorcroft
Father: George Henry Moorcroft
GrandMother: Eliza Harvey
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Wood
GrandFather: William Wood
Mother: Caroline Wood