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: Morgan
Before 1700 [his father] John Morgan of Tredegar (age 28) and [his mother] Martha Vaughan were married.
On 8th March 1700 William Morgan was born to [his father] John Morgan of Tredegar (age 29) and [his mother] Martha Vaughan.
On 16th September 1700 [his uncle] Thomas Morgan (age 36) died of smallpox. [his father] John Morgan of Tredegar (age 29) inherited Tredegar House, Monmouthshire and estates worth £7000.
On 1st January 1715 John Morgan (age 74) died. [his father] John Morgan of Tredegar (age 43) inherited Ruperra Castle, Monmouthshire [Map] from his uncle John Morgan.
In 1720 William Morgan (age 19) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Brecknockshire.
On 7th March 1720 [his father] John Morgan of Tredegar (age 49) died. William Morgan (age 19) inherited Tredegar House, Monmouthshire.
On 15th October 1720 [his mother] Martha Vaughan died.
In 1722 William Morgan (age 21) was elected MP Monmouthshire.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Around 1724 William Morgan (age 23) and Rachel Cavendish (age 24) were married. She the daughter of William Cavendish 2nd Duke Devonshire (age 52) and Rachel Russell Duchess Devonshire (age 49).
In 1725 William Morgan (age 24) was appointed Order of the Bath upon its revival.
On 16th March 1725 (possibly 1724) [his brother-in-law] Edward Harley 3rd Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer (age 26) and [his sister] Martha Morgan Countess of Oxford and Mortimer (age 26) were married at St Anne's Church, Soho [Map].
On 4th June 1729 [his father-in-law] William Cavendish 2nd Duke Devonshire (age 57) died. His son [his brother-in-law] William (age 30) succeeded 3rd Duke Devonshire, 6th Earl Devonshire, 6th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. Catherine Hoskins Duchess Devonshire (age 30) by marriage Duchess Devonshire.
On 24th April 1731 William Morgan (age 31) died. [his brother] Thomas Morgan of Rhiwpera (age 28) inherited Tredegar House, Monmouthshire.
On 28th June 1780 [his former wife] Rachel Cavendish (age 80) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn King Gwynedd King Powys
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 17 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rowland Morgan of Machen
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Morgan
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Morgan
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Morgan of Machen
GrandFather: William Morgan 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Owen Hopton 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Arthur Hopton of Witham Friary 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Echingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Hopton of Witham 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Hall
Great x 3 Grandmother: Rachael Hall
Great x 1 Grandmother: Rachel Hopton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Father: John Morgan of Tredegar 12 x Great Grand Son of
GrandMother: Blanche Morgan
William Morgan 13 x Great Grand Son of
Mother: Martha Vaughan 