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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Munimenta Antiqua

Munimenta Antiqua is in Prehistory.

Munimenta antiqua: or, Observations on antient castles. Including remarks on the whole progress of architecture, ecclesiastical. as well as military, in Great Britain; and on the corresponding changes, in manners, laws, and customs. Tending both to illustrate modern history; and to elucidate many interesting passages in various antient classic authors by King, Edward, 1735-1807.

Munimenta Antiqua Volume 1

And the well known circles of stones, at Stanton Drew, in Somersetshire, seem to have been designed for astronomical observations, and for superstitious rites conjointly. The principal one there, forms, like that at Stone Henge, in reality a sort of ellipsis, of about 330 by 260 feet, and not a regular circle. And there are stones cautiously placed nearly on each side of the meridian; two at the one end, for a sort of observer's index, and two at the other, as if designed for leading sights to direct the eye to certain points in the heavens equally distant, a little to the east and west of the south: and so in like manner two to the east, and one on the west side for an index; as if to observe the rising of certain stars and planets. The rest of the stones of this circle are at most unequal distances;¹ but yet apparently fixed in their situations with great circumspection. Within the circuit appears, lying on the ground, a great altar stone, as at Stone Henge, placed towards the east; and at some distance on the outside of the circle, in the same direction, is a great and high stone of memorial. All these circumstances should be borne in mind, to compare them with other remains of a similar kind.

The stones in general are in height, from 8 to 14 feet; which would lead the eye of an observer to a considerable height in any azimuth circle; and from 6 to 8 or 10 broad; and 3 or 4 feet thick.

Near adjoining to this great circle of stones, are two other smaller ones, which seem plainly to have been mere appendages to this.

And not far off, towards the north-east, on an high hill, is an antient fortress containing about thirty acres, called Stanton Bury; which appears to have been British; whilst at the same time a number of barrows, on the top of Mendip hill, point out the former residence of many Britons, and Druids, of high rank, in these parts; as well as near Stone Henge.

Note 1. Plans and Views of the whole may he seen in Gough's Camden, Vol. I. p. 81. Wood's Description of Bath, p. 1 4 7, 15 9. And somewhat more correctly in the Gentleman's Magazine for 1 7 8 5, p. 7 62.

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