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: Campbell
Around 1433 Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll was born to [his father] Archibald Campbell [aged 33].
On 22nd March 1440 [his father] Archibald Campbell [aged 40] died.
Around 1449 [his son] Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 16] and [his future wife] Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. He married his sixth cousin Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll, daughter of John Stewart 1st Earl Lennox and Margaret Montgomerie Countess Lennox, and had issue.
In 1453 Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 20] succeeded 2nd Lord Campbell.
In 1457 Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 24] was created 1st Earl Argyll.
Before 1460 Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 26] and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll were married. She by marriage Countess Argyll. They were second cousins.
In 1460 [his daughter] Helen Campbell Countess Eglinton was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 27] and [his wife] Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married before 1490 her fourth cousin Hugh Montgomerie 1st Earl Eglinton and had issue.
Around 1468 [his daughter] Margaret Campbell Lady Seton was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 35] and [his wife] Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married before 23rd April 1475 her third cousin George Seton 4th Lord Seton and had issue.
Before 23rd April 1475 [his son-in-law] George Seton 4th Lord Seton [aged 44] and Margaret Campbell Lady Seton [aged 7] were married. She by marriage Lord Seton. The difference in their ages was 37 years. She the daughter of Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 42] and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. They were third cousins.
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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In 1481 [his daughter] Margaret Campbell Lady Seton [aged 13] died.
In 1483 Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 50] was appointed Lord High Chancellor.
Before 1490 [his son-in-law] Hugh Montgomerie 1st Earl Eglinton [aged 29] and Helen Campbell Countess Eglinton [aged 29] were married. She by marriage Countess Eglinton. She the daughter of Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 56] and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. They were fourth cousins.
On 10th May 1493 Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll [aged 60] died. He was buried at Kilmun Church. His son Archibald [aged 44] succeeded 2nd Earl Argyll.
[his daughter] Isabel Campbell was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%.
[his daughter] Agnes Campbell was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%.
[his daughter] Catharine Campbell was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%.
[his daughter] Mary Campbell was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Campbell Lady Oliphant was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%. She married her fourth cousin once removed John Oliphant 2nd Lord Oliphant and had issue.
[his son] Thomas Campbell was born to Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll and Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.57%.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 8 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 9 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Duncan Campbell 1st Lord Campbell
Father: Archibald Campbell 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Stewart 5th High Steward 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Stewart 6th High Steward
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Robert II of Scotland 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marjorie Bruce 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Mar Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Stewart 1st Duke Albany 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Adam Mure
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mure Queen Consort Scotland
GrandMother: Margery Stewart 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Graham 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Graham Earl Menteith
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Graham 3rd Countess Menteith
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alan I Earl Menteith 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alan II Earl Menteith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Graham 2nd Countess Menteith and Mar
Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England