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: Deira
Acha Queen Consort Northumbria was born to [her father] Aella King Deira.
Before 590 Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 18) and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Bernicia. She the daughter of Aella King Deira. He the son of Æthelric King Bernicia.
In 590 [her son] Eanfrith King Bernicia was born to [her husband] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 18) and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.
Around 604 [her son] King Oswald of Northumberland was born to [her husband] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 32) and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria. He married Kyneburga Unknown Queen Northumbria.
Around 604 [her husband] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 32) succeeded King Deira. Acha Queen Consort Northumbria by marriage Queen Consort Deira.
Around 612 [her son] King Oswiu of Northumbria was born to [her husband] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 40) and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria. He married (1) in or before 630 Rhiainfellt Rheged Queen Consort Bernicia and had issue (2) 645 his half first cousin Eanflæd Queen Consort Bernicia, daughter of King Edwin of Northumbria and Æthelburh Oiscingas Queen Consort Northumbria, and had issue (3) before 15th February 670 Fín Cenél Neógain Queen Consort Bernicia and had issue.
Around 615 [her daughter] Aebba Bernicia was born to [her husband] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 43) and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.
In 617 Raedwald King East Anglia (age 47) and his son Raegenhere Wuffingas fought the Battle of the River Idle which took place at the River Idle, Markham Moor which forms the western border of the Isle of Lindsey [Map].
Raegenhere Wuffingas was killed.
[her husband] Æthelfrith King Northumbrians (age 45) was killed. [her brother] King Edwin of Northumbria (age 31) succeeded King Northumbria.
[her son] Offa Bernicia was born to Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.
[her son] Oslaf Bernicia was born to Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.
[her son] Oswudu Bernicia was born to Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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[her son] Oslac Bernicia was born to Æthelfrith King Northumbrians and Acha Queen Consort Northumbria.
Kings Deira: Daughter of Aella King Deira
GrandFather: Yffe Deira
Father: Aella King Deira