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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In 1612 Alderman William Hooker was born to [his father] William Hooker of Berkhampstead.
On 10th November 1640 Alderman William Hooker [aged 28] and Lettice Coppinger [aged 31] were married at the Church of St Margaret Lothbury.
In 1643 [his daughter] Anne Hooker was born to Alderman William Hooker [aged 31] and [his wife] Lettice Coppinger [aged 33]. She married 18th May 1659 John Lethieullier Merchant and had issue.
On 31st October 1647 [his son] William Hooker was born to Alderman William Hooker [aged 35] and [his wife] Lettice Coppinger [aged 38].
On 18th May 1659 [his son-in-law] John Lethieullier Merchant [aged 26] and [his daughter] Anne Hooker [aged 16] were married at St Clements Church.
On 24th June 1664 Alderman William Hooker [aged 52] was elected Alderman of Wallbrook Ward in which position he remained until 6th June 1666.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 3rd September 1665. Church being done, my Lord Bruncker [aged 45], Sir J. Minnes [aged 66], and I up to the Vestry at the desire of the justices of the Peace, Sir Theo. Biddulph [aged 53] and Sir W. Boreman [aged 53] and Alderman Hooker [aged 53], in order to the doing something for the keeping of the plague from growing; but Lord! to consider the madness of the people of the town, who will (because they are forbid) come in crowds along with the dead corps to see them buried; but we agreed on some orders for the prevention thereof.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th December 1665. Up betimes and finished my journall for five days back, and then after being ready to my Lord Bruncker [aged 45] by appointment, there to order the disposing of some money that we have come into the office, and here to my great content I did get a bill of imprest to Captain Cocke [aged 48] to pay myself in part of what is coming to me from him for my Lord Sandwich's [aged 40] satisfaction and my owne, and also another payment or two wherein I am concerned, and having done that did go to Mr. Pierce's, where he and his wife made me drink some tea, and so he and I by water together to London. Here at a taverne in Cornhill [Map] he and I did agree upon my delivering up to him a bill of Captain Cocke's, put into my hand for Pierce's use upon evening of reckonings about the prize goods, and so away to the 'Change [Map], and there hear the ill news, to my great and all our great trouble, that the plague is encreased again this week, notwithstanding there hath been a day or two great frosts; but we hope it is only the effects of the late close warm weather, and if the frosts continue the next week, may fall again; but the town do thicken so much with people, that it is much if the plague do not grow again upon us. Off the 'Change [Map] invited by Sheriff Hooker [aged 53], who keeps the poorest, mean, dirty table in a dirty house that ever I did see any Sheriff of London; and a plain, ordinary, silly man I think he is, but rich; only his son, [his son-in-law] Mr. Lethulier [aged 32], I like, for a pretty, civil, understanding merchant; and the more by much, because he happens to be husband to our noble, fat, brave lady in our parish, that I and my wife admire so.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 3rd September 1665. Among other stories, one was very passionate, methought, of a complaint brought against a man in the towne for taking a child from London from an infected house. Alderman Hooker [aged 53] told us it was the child of a very able citizen in Gracious Street [Map], a saddler, who had buried all the rest of his children of the plague, and himself and wife now being shut up and in despair of escaping, did desire only to save the life of this little child; and so prevailed to have it received stark-naked into the arms of a friend, who brought it (having put it into new fresh clothes) to Greenwich, Kent [Map]; where upon hearing the story, we did agree it should be permitted to be received and kept in the towne.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 24th December 1665. Then to church, and placed myself in the Parson's pew under the pulpit, to hear Mrs. Chamberlain in the next pew sing, who is daughter to Sir James Bunch, of whom I have heard much, and indeed she sings very finely, and from church met with Sir W. Warren and he and I walked together talking about his and my businesses, getting of money as fairly as we can, and, having set him part of his way home, I walked to my Lord Bruncker [aged 45], whom I heard was at Alderman Hooker's [aged 53], hoping to see and salute Mrs. Lethulier [aged 22], whom I did see in passing, but no opportunity of beginning acquaintance, but a very noble lady she is, however the silly alderman got her. Here we sat talking a great while, Sir The. Biddulph [aged 53] and Mr. Vaughan [aged 62], a son-in-law of Alderman Hooker's. Hence with my Lord Bruncker home and sat a little with him and so home to bed.
On 1st February 1666 Alderman William Hooker [aged 54] was knighted.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th February 1666. Up, and all the morning at the office. At noon to the 'Change [Map], and thence after business dined at the Sheriffe's [Hooker] [aged 54], being carried by [his son-in-law] Mr. Lethulier [aged 33], where to my heart's content I met with his wife [aged 23], a most beautifull fat woman. But all the house melancholy upon the sickness of a daughter of the house in childbed, Mr. Vaughan's [aged 62] lady [aged 48]. So all of them undressed, but however this lady a very fine woman. I had a salute of her, and after dinner some discourse the Sheriffe and I about a parcel of tallow I am buying for the office of him.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 5th April 1667. So to the 'Change [Map], and there met with Mr. James Houblon, but no hopes, as he sees, of peace whatever we pretend, but we shall be abused by the King of France [aged 28]. Then home to the office, and busy late, and then to Sir W. Batten's [aged 66], where Mr. Young was talking about the building of the City again; and he told me that those few churches that are to be new built are plainly not chosen with regard to the convenience of the City; they stand a great many in a cluster about Cornhill [Map]; but that all of them are either in the gift of the Lord Archbishop, or Bishop of London, or Chancellor [aged 58], or gift of the City. Thus all things, even to the building of churches, are done in this world! And then he says, which I wonder at, that I should not in all this time see, that Moorefields [Map] have houses two stories high in them, and paved streets, the City having let leases for seven years, which he do conclude will be very much to the hindering the building of the City; but it was considered that the streets cannot be passable in London till a whole street be built; and several that had got ground of the City for charity, to build sheds on, had got the trick presently to sell that for £60, which did not cost them £20 to put up; and so the City, being very poor in stock, thought it as good to do it themselves, and therefore let leases for seven years of the ground in Moorefields [Map]; and a good deal of this money, thus advanced, hath been employed for the enabling them to find some money for Commissioner Taylor, and Sir W. Batten, towards the charge of "The Loyall London", or else, it is feared, it had never been paid. And Taylor having a bill to pay wherein Alderman Hooker [aged 55] was concerned it was his invention to find out this way of raising money, or else this had not been thought on.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 20th April 1668. Thence with Creed, thinking, but failed, of dining with Lord Crew, and so he and I to Hercules Pillars, and there dined, and thence home by coach, and so with Jack Fenn to the Chamberlain of London to look after the state of some Navy assignments that are in his hands, and thence away, and meeting Sir William Hooker, the Alderman [aged 56], he did cry out mighty high against Sir W. Pen [aged 46] for his getting such an estate, and giving £15,000 with his daughter, which is more, by half, than ever he did give; but this the world believes, and so let them.
In 1673 Alderman William Hooker [aged 61] was elected Lord Mayor of London.
In 1679 Alderman William Hooker [aged 67] was elected Master of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
In 1683 Alderman William Hooker [aged 71] was elected Master of St Thomas' Hospital.
Around 1697 [his wife] Lettice Coppinger [aged 87] died.
In 1697 Alderman William Hooker [aged 85] died. He was buried at St Alfege's Church, Greenwich. His handsome monument was placed in the south aisle, of white marble surmounted by a figure dressed in alderman's robes. His portrait shows him wearing the robes and chain of office of a Lord Mayor of London. This was destroyed during a WWII air raid.