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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Marbach Annals is in Early Medieval Books.
15th August 1196. Conrad, Duke of the Swabians (age 24), launched an expedition against the Duke of Zähringen; during which, while attempting to deflower a girl by force, he was bitten on the left nipple, and a black swelling grew. Not wanting to be slowed by this, he died on the third day in Oppenheim, and was buried in Speyer. Philip (age 19), his brother, succeeded him in the duchy.
Chounradus dux Suevorum expeditionem adversus ducem de Zaringen movit; in qua per amplexum cuiusdam puellae, quam vi devirginare conabatur, morsu in sinistra papilla tactus, vesica crescente nigra, nec per hoc eo tardare volente, tercia die obiit in Oppenheim, Spiraeque sepelitur. Philippus frater eius succedit in ducatu,
15th August 1196. At that time in Alamannia, Conrad (age 24), the emperor's brother and Duke of the Swabians, raised an army against Duke Bertold of Zähringen by the emperor's will. While he stayed in a certain town named Durlach, he died and was buried in the monastery of Lorch. Many asserted that he was killed by someone whose wife he had violently violated, or by the wife herself. For he was a man completely devoted to adulteries, fornications, and rapes, indulging in all sorts of luxuries and filth, yet he was vigorous in wars and fierce and generous to friends, and both his own people and foreigners trembled under him. Then the emperor conferred the Duchy of Swabia to the aforementioned Philip (age 19), his brother, who, having left parts of Italy, crossed into Alamannia with his wife, placing her in the castle of Schwäbisch Hall. At that time, by the emperor's command, he also placed the royal diadem on King Ottokar of Bohemia.
In tempore illo in Alamannia Cuonradus, frater imperatoris, dux Suevorum, movit exercitum contra Bertoldum ducem Zaringiae de voluntate imperatoris. Cumque maneret in quodam opido Durlaich nomine, obiit et sepultus est in monasterio Loricensi. Multi asserebant, eum fuisse interfectum a quodam, cuius uxorem adulteravit violenter, sive ab ipsa uxore. Erat enim vir totus inserviens adulteriis et fornicationibus et stupris, quibuslibet luxuriis et immundiciis, strennuus tamen erat in bellis et ferox et largus amicis, et tam sui quam extranei tremebant sub eo. Tune imperator ducatum Sueviae contulit prefato Philippo, fratri suo, qui relictis partibus Italiae transivit in Alamanniam cum uxore sua, ponens eam in castro Suainhusen. Tunc etiam de mandato imperatoris regium diadema imposuit regi Boemorum Otakero.