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 Louvain is in Count.
In 1003 Lambert "Bearded" Reginar I Count Louvain [aged 53] was created I Count Louvain. Gerberga Carolingian Duchess Lower Lorraine [aged 28] by marriage Countess Louvain.
On 12th September 1015 Lambert "Bearded" Reginar I Count Louvain [aged 65] was killed in battle with an army of Godfrey Ardennes Count Verdun [aged 50]. His son Henry succeeded I Count Louvain.
Before 1020 Lambert Reginar II Count Louvain and Oda Ardennes Countess Louvain were married. She by marriage Countess Louvain. She the daughter of Gothelo "The Coward" Ardennes II Duke Lower Lorraine [aged 11]. He the son of Lambert "Bearded" Reginar I Count Louvain and Gerberga Carolingian Duchess Lower Lorraine. They were fourth cousin twice removed.
In 1038 Henry Reginar I Count Louvain [aged 22] died. His brother Lambert succeeded II Count Louvain.
On 19th June 1054 Lambert Reginar II Count Louvain died at Tournai [Map]. His son Henry [aged 34] succeeded II Count Louvain.
Before 1058 Henry Reginar II Count Louvain [aged 37] and Adela Thuringa Countess Louvain were married. She by marriage Countess Louvain. He the son of Lambert Reginar II Count Louvain and Oda Ardennes Countess Louvain.
In 1071 Henry Reginar II Count Louvain [aged 51] died. His son Henry succeeded III Count Louvain.
In 1090 Henry Reginar III Count Louvain and Gertrude Flanders Duchess Lorraine [aged 10] were married. She by marriage Countess Louvain. She the daughter of Robert "The Frisian" I Count Flanders [aged 57] and Gertrude Billung Countess Holland [aged 60]. He the son of Henry Reginar II Count Louvain and Adela Thuringa Countess Louvain. They were half fourth cousins.
In 1095 Henry Reginar III Count Louvain died at Tournai [Map]. His brother Godfrey [aged 35] succeeded I Count Louvain. Ida Chiny Countess Louvain by marriage Countess Louvain.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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After 1119 Godfrey Reginar I Count Louvain [aged 59] and Clementia Ivrea Countess Louvain and Flanders [aged 41] were married. She by marriage Countess Louvain. She the daughter of William I Count Burgundy and Ettiennette Countess Burgundy. He the son of Henry Reginar II Count Louvain and Adela Thuringa Countess Louvain.
On 25th January 1139 Godfrey Reginar I Count Louvain [aged 79] died. His son Godfrey [aged 32] succeeded II Count Louvain.
On 13th June 1142 Godfrey Reginar VII Duke Lower Lorraine [aged 35] died. His son Godfrey succeeded III Count Louvain, VIII Duke Lower Lorraine.
In 1183 Henry Reginar VIII Duke Lower Lorraine I Duke Brabant [aged 18] was appointed Count Louvain.