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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On 13th December 1533 King Erix XIV of Sweden was born to [his father] King Gustav I of Sweden [aged 37].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 5th October 1559. [The] v day of October cam to [London by Ald]gatt the prynse of Sweythen [aged 25], and [so to Leadenhall], and done [down] Gracyous-strett [Map] corner in a howse stod [the lord] marques of Northamtun [aged 47] and my lord Ambros Dudley [aged 29] [and other gentlemen and] lades; and my lord of Oxford [aged 43] browth (him) from Col[chester] [Map] and my lord Robart Dudley [aged 27], the master of the quen('s) horse; and trumpettes bloyng in dyvers places; and thay had [a great] nombur of gentyllmen ryd with cheynes a-for them, and after them a ij C [200] of yomen rydyng, and so rydyng over the bryge unto the bysshope of Wynchastur plasse [Map], for [it] was rychely hangyd with ryche cloth of arres, wrought with gold and sylver and sylke, and ther he remanyth.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 12th October 1559. The xij day of October whent by water unto the court the [his father] kyng of Sweythen('s) [aged 63] sune [aged 25], and ys gard, and ther he was honorabull reseyvyd with mony honorabull men at the hall-dore, wher the gard stod in ther ryche cottes, unto the quen('s) chambur, and ther he was reseyvyd of the Quen('s) [aged 26] grace, and after he had grett chere as cold be had.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 19th October 1559. The xix day of October the prynche of Swaythen [aged 25] whent to the court agayn, for my lord Robart Dudley [aged 27] gave ym a grett bankett [banquet].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 1st January 1560. The furst day of January the prynche of Swaythen [aged 26] rod to the cowrt gorgyusle and rychele, and in gard in velvet jerkyns and holbardes in ther handes, and mony gentyll-men gorgyosly with chenes of gold.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 11th April 1560. The xj day of Aprell toke ys jorney from the byshope of Wynchastur('s) plasse the duke of Swaynland [Note. Possibly King Erix XIV of Sweden [aged 26] but he has been previously referred to a Prince, or Duke Adolph Oldenburg of Holstein-Gotorp [aged 34] who arrived on 29 Mar 1560], the wyche he kept the nobulle howse that ever dyd stranger in England for cher, for he spent more and gayff grett gyftes and reywardes as a ...
On 29th September 1560 [his father] King Gustav I of Sweden [aged 64] died. His son Erix [aged 26] succeeded XIV King Sweden.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 30th August 1561. The xxx day of August tydans cam that the kyng of Sweden [aged 27] was sendyng (blank) of waganns laden with massé bol [lion.]
Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th September 1561. The xv day of September tydynges cam to London [that] the kynge of Sweythland [aged 27] was landyd in the North at ...., and yt be truw as the sayng was then.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 3rd October 1561. [The iij day of October came to London to Gracechurch] strett, to the Cross-keys, xviij grett horses [all pyed-coloured] from the kyng of Swaythland [aged 27].
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 26th February 1577 King Erix XIV of Sweden [aged 43] died.