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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Ruthven
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Boyd 1420-1453
Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl was born to [her father] William Ruthven 1st Earl Gowrie and [her mother] Dorothea Stewart Countess Gowrie.
After 1566 [her future husband] James Stewart 1st Earl Atholl and Margaret Lindsay Countess Atholl [aged 7] were married. She the daughter of David Lindsay 9th Earl Crawford. They were fourth cousin once removed.
Before 14th November 1578 John Stewart 5th Earl Atholl [aged 15] and Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl were married. She the daughter of William Ruthven 1st Earl Gowrie [aged 35] and Dorothea Stewart Countess Gowrie [aged 37]. He the son of John Stewart 4th Earl Atholl and Margaret Fleming Countess Atholl [aged 49]. They were second cousins.
On 25th April 1579 [her father-in-law] John Stewart 4th Earl Atholl died. His son [her husband] John [aged 15] succeeded 5th Earl Atholl. Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl by marriage Countess Atholl.
On 25th August 1595 [her husband] John Stewart 5th Earl Atholl [aged 32] died.
Before 25th March 1596 James Stewart 1st Earl Atholl [aged 30] and Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl were married. She the daughter of William Ruthven 1st Earl Gowrie and Dorothea Stewart Countess Gowrie [aged 55]. They were half fourth cousins.
On 25th March 1596 [her husband] James Stewart 1st Earl Atholl [aged 30] was created 1st Earl Atholl at Holyrood Palace [Map]. Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl by marriage Countess Atholl.
In 1603 [her husband] James Stewart 1st Earl Atholl [aged 37] died. His son James succeeded 2nd Earl Atholl.
Around 1637 Anthony Van Dyck [aged 37]. Portrait of Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl.
[her daughter] Anne Stewart Baroness Castle Stuart was born to John Stewart 5th Earl Atholl and Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.83%. She married her second cousin once removed Andrew Stewart 2nd Baron Castle Stuart, son of Andrew Stewart 1st Baron Castle Stuart and Margaret Kennedy Baroness Castle Stuart, and had issue.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
[her daughter] Dorothea Stewart Countess Tullibardine was born to John Stewart 5th Earl Atholl and Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.83%. She married after 28th September 1604 her second cousin once removed William Murray 2nd Earl Tullibardine, son of John Murray 1st Earl Tullibardine and Catherine Drummond Countess Tullibardine, and had issue.
[her daughter] Mary Stewart was born to John Stewart 5th Earl Atholl and Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.83%.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ruthven 1st Lord Ruthven
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Ruthven
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Livingstone
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Ruthven 2nd Lord Ruthven
GrandFather: Patrick Ruthven 3rd Lord Ruthven
Great x 2 Grandfather: Patrick Halyburton 4th Lord Dirletoun
Great x 1 Grandmother: Janet Halyburton Lady Dirletoun
Father: William Ruthven 1st Earl Gowrie 12 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Douglas 4th Earl Angus 
7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Archibald "Bell the Cat" Douglas 5th Earl Angus 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Sibbald Countess Angus
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Douglas 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Boyd 1st Lord Boyd
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Boyd Countess Angus
Great x 1 Grandfather: Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Drummond 1st Lord Drummond
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drummond m Douglas
GrandMother: Janet Douglas 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Stewart 
6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Stewart 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Stewart 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Arnot
Great x 1 Grandfather: Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: Henry Stewart 1st Lord Methven 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Kennedy of Dunure The Younger
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Kennedy 1st Lord Kennedy 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Stewart Countess Angus 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Kennedy 2nd Lord Kennedy 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Herbert Maxwell 1st Lord Maxwell 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Maxwell Lady Kennedy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Janet Herries
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Kennedy Lady Avondale 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Seton 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alexander Gordon 1st Earl Huntley 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gordon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gordon Countess Erroll 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Mother: Dorothea Stewart Countess Gowrie 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart of Innermeath 3rd of Lorn 
Great x 3 Grandfather: James "Black Knight of Lorn" Stewart
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Macdougall
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset 
Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Sinclair 2nd Earl Orkney
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Egidia "Fair Maid of Nithsdale" Douglas Countess Orkney 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness
GrandMother: Janet Stewart 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Lord Lorn 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Janet Campbell Countess Atholl 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alan Stewart of Darnley
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Lennox 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Seton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Montgomerie 1st Lord Montgomerie
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Montgomerie Countess Lennox
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Boyd