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: Norman
In 960 [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy [aged 27] and [his step-mother] Emma of Paris Duchess of Normandy [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. She the daughter of Hugh "Great" Capet Count Paris and Hedwig Saxon Ottonian [aged 50]. He the illegitmate son of [his grandfather] William "Longsword" I Duke Normandy and [his grandmother] Sprota.
Before 23rd August 963 [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy [aged 30] and [his mother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu were married. He the illegitmate son of [his grandfather] William "Longsword" I Duke Normandy and [his grandmother] Sprota.
On 23rd August 963 Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy was born to [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy [aged 30] and [his mother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu.
Around 989 [his brother] Robert Normandy Archbishop of Rouen [aged 1] was appointed Archbishop of Rouen.
On 20th November 996 [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy [aged 64] died. His son Richard [aged 33] succeeded II Duke Normandy.
Before 997 [his brother-in-law] Geoffrey Penthièvre I Duke Brittany [aged 16] and [his sister] Hawise Normandy Countess Rennes were married. She by marriage Countess Rennes. She the daughter of [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and [his mother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu. He the son of Conan "Crooked" Penthièvre III Duke Brittany and [his future mother-in-law] Ermengarde Gerberga Ingelger Duchess Brittany [aged 40].
In 1000 Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 36] and Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. She the daughter of Conan "Crooked" Penthièvre III Duke Brittany and Ermengarde Gerberga Ingelger Duchess Brittany [aged 44]. He the son of Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and Gunnora Countess Ponthieu.
On 22nd June 1000 [his son] Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 36] and [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 18].
In 1002 [his brother-in-law] King Æthelred II of England [aged 36] and [his sister] Emma aka Ælfgyfu of Normandy Queen Consort England [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort England. She the daughter of [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and [his mother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu. He the son of King Edgar I of England and Aelfthryth Queen Consort England [aged 57].
In 1002 or 1004 [his son] Richard Normandy III Duke Normandy was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 38] and [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 20]. He married January 1027 his second cousin once removed Adela Capet Duchess Normandy, daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks and Constance Arles Queen Consort France.
Around 1002 [his daughter] Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 38] and [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 20]. She married 1016 Reginald Ivrea I Count Burgundy, son of Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy and Ermentrude Countess Burgundy, and had issue.
Around 1004 [his brother-in-law] Odo Blois II Count Blois [aged 21] and [his sister] Maud Normandy Countess Blois were married. She by marriage Countess Blois. She the daughter of [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and [his mother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu. He the son of Odo Blois I Count Blois and Bertha Welf Queen Consort France [aged 40].
In 1006 [his sister] Maud Normandy Countess Blois died.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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Around 1007 [his son] William Normandy was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 43] and [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 25].
Around 1011 [his son] Eleanor Normandy was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 47] and [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 29].
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1013. The year after that Archbishop Elfeah was martyred, the [his brother-in-law] king [aged 47] appointed Lifing to the archiepiscopal see of Canterbury. And in the same year, before the month August, came King Sweyne [aged 53] with his fleet to Sandwich, Kent [Map]; and very soon went about East-Anglia into the Humber-mouth, and so upward along the Trent, until he came to Gainsborough [Map]. Then soon submitted to him Earl Utred, and all the Northumbrians, and all the people of Lindsey, and afterwards the people of the Five Boroughs, and soon after all the army to the north of Watling-street; and hostages were given him from each shire. When he understood that all the people were subject to him, then ordered he that his army should have provision and horses; and he then went southward with his main army, committing his ships and the hostages to his son Knute [aged 18]. And after he came over Watling-street, they wrought the greatest mischief that any army could do. Then he went to Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map]; and the population soon submitted, and gave hostages; thence to Winchester, where they did the same. Thence went they eastward to London; and many of the party sunk in the Thames, because they kept not to any bridge. When he came to the city, the population would not submit; but held their ground in full fight against him, because therein was King Ethelred, and Thurkill with him. Then went King Sweyne thence to Wallingford; and so over Thames westward to Bath, where he abode with his army. Thither came Alderman Ethelmar, and all the western thanes with him, and all submitted to Sweyne, and gave hostages. When he had thus settled all, then went he northward to his ships; and all the population fully received him, and considered him full king. The population of London also after this submitted to him, and gave hostages; because they dreaded that he would undo them. Then bade Sweyne full tribute and forage for his army during the winter; and Thurkill bade the same for the army that lay at Greenwich, Kent [Map]: besides this, they plundered as oft as they would. And when this nation could neither resist in the south nor in the north, King Ethelred abode some while with the fleet that lay in the Thames; and the lady [aged 28]57 went afterwards over sea to her brother Richard [aged 49], accompanied by Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough. The king sent Bishop Elfun with the ethelings, Edward [aged 10] and Alfred [aged 8], over sea; that he might instruct them. Then went the king from the fleet, about midwinter, to the Isle of Wight [Map]; and there abode for the season; after which he went over sea to Richard, with whom he abode till the time when Sweyne died. Whilst the lady was with her brother beyond sea, Elfsy, Abbot of Peterborough, who was there with her, went to the abbey called Boneval, where St. Florentine's body lay; and there found a miserable place, a miserable abbot, and miserable monks: because they had been plundered. There he bought of the abbot, and of the monks, the body of St. Florentine, all but the head, for 500 pounds; which, on his return home, he offered to Christ and St. Peter.
Note 57. This was a title bestowed on the queen.
Around 1013 [his daughter] Matilda Normandy Countess Flanders was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 49] and [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 31]. She married her third cousin once removed Baldwin "Bearded" IV Count Flanders, son of Arnulf II Count Flanders and Rozala of Italy, and had issue.
In 1015 [his illegitimate half-brother] Geoffrey Normandy 1st Count of Eu [aged 53] died. His son [his illegitimate nephew] Gilbert [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Count Eu.
In 1016 [his son-in-law] Reginald Ivrea I Count Burgundy [aged 30] and Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy [aged 14] were married. She the daughter of Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 52] and Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 34]. He the son of Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy [aged 56] and Ermentrude Countess Burgundy.
In 1017 [his wife] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy [aged 35] died.
Around August 1017 [his brother-in-law] King Cnut of England [aged 22] and [his sister] Emma aka Ælfgyfu of Normandy Queen Consort England [aged 32] were married. She the daughter of [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and [his mother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu. He the son of Sweyn "Forkbeard" King of Denmark, Norway and England.
Before 1019 Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 55] and Poppa Envermeu Unknown Duchess Normandy were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. He the son of Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and Gunnora Countess Ponthieu.
Around 1019 [his son] Mauger Normandy Archbishop of Rouen was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 55] and [his wife] Poppa Envermeu Unknown Duchess Normandy.
Before 1020 [his illegitimate half-brother] William Normandy 1st Count of Eu [aged 41] and [his sister-in-law] Lesceline Countess Eu were married. She by marriage Countess Eu. He the illegitmate son of [his father] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy.
In 1025 [his son] William Normandy [aged 18] died. He was buried at Fécamp Abbey, Fécamp.
In or before 1026, the year his father died, [his son] William Count of Talou aka Arques was born to Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 62] and [his wife] Poppa Envermeu Unknown Duchess Normandy. He married before 1053 his third cousin twice removed Beatrice of Ponthieu, daughter of Hugh II Count Ponthieu and Bertha Aumale Countess Aumale and Ponthieu.
Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 1026. Ælfric, archbishop of York, went to Rome, and received the pallium from pope John. Richard II [aged 62], duke of Normandy, died, and was succeeded by [his son] Richard III [aged 24], who, dying the same year, was succeeded by his brother Robert [aged 25].
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 28th August 1026 Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy [aged 63] died. His son Richard [aged 24] succeeded III Duke Normandy.
Agnes de la Marck Queen Consort Navarre [5]
Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France [1]
Isabella Burgundy Queen Consort Germany [1]
King William "Conqueror" I of England [1]
Guy Ivrea aka Pope Calixtus II [1]
Maud Queen Consort Scotland [1]
Judith Welf Holy Roman Empress [1]
Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon [1]
Malfada Savoy Queen Consort Portugal [1]
Beatrice of Burgundy Holy Roman Empress [1]
Otto Welf IV Holy Roman Emperor [1]
Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon [1]
Margaret Provence Queen Consort France [1]
Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England [1]
Sanchia Provence Queen Consort Germany [1]
Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon [2]
Maria of Brabant Queen Consort France [2]
Louis Wittelsbach IV Holy Roman Emperor [1]
Margaret of Burgundy Queen Consort France [2]
Joan of Burgundy Queen Consort France [2]
Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France [2]
Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France [2]
Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [1]
King Robert II of Scotland [1]
Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France [2]
Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile [2]
Martha Armagnac Queen Consort Aragon [2]
Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal [1]
Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort Navarre [1]
Yolande of Bar Queen Consort Aragon [5]
King Richard II of England [1]
Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [7]
Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland [8]
Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [1]
Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland [5]
King Edward IV of England [25]
King Richard III of England [25]
Anne Neville Queen Consort England [37]
King Henry VII of England and Ireland [10]
Christina Queen Consort Denmark Norway and Sweden [3]
Bianca Maria Sforza Holy Roman Empress [8]
Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France [4]
Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile [12]
Joachim "Nestor" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg [1]
Germaine Foix Queen Consort Aragon [6]
Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre [16]
Queen Anne Boleyn of England [39]
Christian III King of Denmark [1]
Queen Jane Seymour [48]
Catherine Parr Queen Consort England [46]
Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England [12]
Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland [31]
Antoine King Navarre [25]
Catherine Medici Queen Consort France [4]
Queen Catherine Howard of England [34]
Augustus Wettin Elector of Saxony [1]
Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [14]
Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland [74]
Louise Lorraine Queen Consort France [14]
King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [2]
Maximilian "The Great" Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria I Elector Bavaria [45]
Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress [45]
Marie de Medici Queen Consort France [14]
Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine [11]
Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [40]
George Wharton [432]
Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain [40]
Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress [40]
John George Wettin Elector Saxony [27]
Frederick William "Great Elector" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg [27]
Sophie Amalie Hanover Queen Consort Denmark [2]
Ernest Augustus Hanover Elector Brunswick-Lüneburg [2]
Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia [61]
Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia [40]
Hedwig Eleonora Queen Consort Sweden [27]
Marie Françoise Élisabeth of Savoy Queen Consort of Portugal [41]
Charlotte Amalie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [29]
Charles Palatinate Simmern II Elector Palatine Rhine [2]
Victor Amadeus King Sardinia [50]
Louise of Mecklenburg Güstrow Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [30]
Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain [58]
Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor [58]
King George II of Great Britain and Ireland [2]
Sophia Louise Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Prussia [4]
Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor [58]
Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia [2]
Polyxena Hesse Rotenburg Queen Consort Sardinia [2]
Francis I Holy Roman Emperor [21]
Louise Élisabeth Bourbon Queen Consort Spain [2]
Adolph Frederick King Sweden [27]
Elisabeth Therese Lorraine Queen Consort Sardinia [21]
Maria Theresa Habsburg Spain Holy Roman Empress [1]
Juliana Maria Welf Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [2]
President George Washington [20]
King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [67]
Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England [39]
Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [67]
Marie Sophie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [83]
Francis Lorraine II Holy Roman Emperor [2]
Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England [69]
Frederick William III King Prussia [29]
King Louis Philippe I of France [2]
Frederica Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort Hanover [68]
Queen Fredrika Dorotea Vilhelmina [58]
King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark [106]
Frederick William IV King Prussia [68]
Caroline Amalie Oldenburg Queen Norway [4]
Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies Queen Consort Spain [2]
Frederick VII King of Denmark [173]
Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark [189]
King Christian IX of Denmark [89]
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [134]
Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway [156]
Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia [374]
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom [374]
Maria Christina of Austria Queen Consort Spain [87]
Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [1733]
Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England [166]
Frederick Charles I King Finland [189]
Constantine I King Greece [99]
Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark [272]
Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain [461]
Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden [548]
Ingrid Bernadotte Queen Consort Denmark [442]
Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh [647]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [7033]
Sophia Glücksburg Queen Consort Spain [4]
Constantine II King Hellenes [4]
Carl XVI King Sweden [909]
Queen Consort Camilla Shand [2403]
Diana Spencer Princess Wales [20813]
Great x 1 Grandfather: Rollo Duke Normandy 
GrandFather: William "Longsword" I Duke Normandy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Poppa Unknown Duchess Normandy
Father: Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy
GrandMother: Sprota
Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy
GrandFather: Unknown Dane
Mother: Gunnora Countess Ponthieu