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: Chichester
Before 13th June 1739 [his father] John Chichester (age 33) and [his mother] Elizabeth Newdigate (age 29) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Arthur Chichester 3rd Earl Donegal and [his grandmother] Catherine Forbes (age 49).
On 13th June 1739 Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal was born to [his father] John Chichester (age 33) and [his mother] Elizabeth Newdigate (age 29).
In 1757 [his uncle] Arthur Chichester 4th Earl Donegal (age 62) died. His nephew Arthur (age 17) succeeded 5th Earl Donegal.
On 11th September 1761 Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 22) and Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Donegal. She the daughter of James Hamilton 5th Duke Hamilton 2nd Duke Brandon and Anne Spencer Duchess Hamilton Duchess Brandon (age 51).
On 25th May 1765 [his brother-in-law] Archibald Hamilton 9th Duke Hamilton 6th Duke Brandon (age 24) and Harriet Stewart were married. She the daughter of Alexander Stewart 6th Earl Galloway (age 71) and Catherine Cochrane Countess Galloway (age 56). He the son of James Hamilton 5th Duke Hamilton 2nd Duke Brandon and [his mother-in-law] Anne Spencer Duchess Hamilton Duchess Brandon (age 55). They were half fifth cousin once removed.
On 14th August 1769 [his son] George Chichester 2nd Marquess Donegal was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 30) and [his wife] Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal (age 31) at St James'. He married before 1818 Anna May.
On 3rd May 1771 [his son] Arthur Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 31) and [his wife] Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal (age 33).
On 20th April 1775 [his son] Spencer Stanley Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 35) and [his wife] Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal (age 37). He married before 8th January 1797 his half second cousin Anne Harriet Stewart, daughter of John Stewart 7th Earl Galloway and Anne Dashwood Countess Galloway, and had issue.
Around 1780 Thomas Gainsborough (age 52). Portrait of Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 40).
On 11th November 1780 [his wife] Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal (age 42) died.
On 24th April 1787 [his daughter] Elizabeth Juliana Chichester died.
On 11th September 1788 [his son] Arthur Chichester (age 17) died.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 24th October 1788 Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 49) and Charlotte Spencer were married. She died less than a year later.
On 19th September 1789 [his wife] Charlotte Spencer died at Fisherwick, Staffordshire.
The London Gazette 13210. Whitehall, June 19 [1790]. The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the Kingdom of Great Britain to the several Noblemen and Gentlemen following, and the Heirs Male of their respective Bodies lawfully begotten, by the Names, Stiles and Titles undermentioned, viz.
The Right Honorable Arthur Earl of Donegall (age 51), of the Kingdom of Ireland, Baron Fisherwick, of Fisherwick in the County of Stafford.
The Right Honorable James Earl of Fife, of the Kingdom of Ireland, Baron of Fife, of Fife in the County of Fife.
The Right Honorable James Bucknall Grimston (age 43), Viscount Grimston, of the Kingdom of Ireland, Baron Verulam, of Gorhambury in the County of Hertford.
The Right Honorable Constantine John (age 46) Lord Mulgrave, of the Kingdom of Ireland, Baron Mulgrave, of Mulgrave, in the County of York.
Archibald Douglas, Esquire, Baron Douglas, of Douglas in the County of Lanerk; and
Edwin Laascelles (age 77), Esquire, Baron Harewwood, of Harewood in the County of York. [Jane Coleman Baroness Harewood (age 59) by marriage Baroness Harewood of Harewood in Yorkshire.]
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In October 1790 Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 51) and Barbara Godfey Marchioness Donegal were married.
In 1791 Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 51) was created 1st Marquess Donegal. [his wife] Barbara Godfey Marchioness Donegal by marriage Marchioness Donegal.
Before 8th January 1797 [his son] Spencer Stanley Chichester (age 21) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Harriet Stewart (age 28) were married. She the daughter of John Stewart 7th Earl Galloway (age 60) and Anne Dashwood Countess Galloway (age 54). He the son of Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 57) and [his former wife] Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal. They were half second cousins.
On 5th January 1799 Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal (age 59) died. His son George (age 29) succeeded 2nd Marquess Donegal, 6th Earl Donegal, 2nd Baron Fisherwick of Fisherwick in Staffordshire.
On 28th December 1829 [his former wife] Barbara Godfey Marchioness Donegal died.
[his daughter] Amelia Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal and Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal.
[his daughter] Charlotte Anne Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal and Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Juliana Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal and Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal.
[his daughter] Henrietta Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal and Anne Hamilton Countess Donegal.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Chichester 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gertrude Courtenay 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Lieutenant-Colonel John Chichester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Copleston
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Copleston
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Biston
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arthur Chichester 2nd Earl Donegal 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Jones 1st Viscount Ranelagh
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Jones
Great x 4 Grandfather: Garret Moore 1st Viscount Moore of Drogheda
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Moore
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Colley Viscountess Moore and Wilmot
GrandFather: Arthur Chichester 3rd Earl Donegal 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Osbourne Echingham
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Echingham of Dunroby
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Ichyngham of Dunbrody in Wexford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Ichyngham Countess Donegall
Father: John Chichester 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Forbes of Corse
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Forbes of Corse
Great x 2 Grandfather: Arthur Forbes 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arthur Forbes 1st Earl Granard
GrandMother: Catherine Forbes
Arthur Chichester 1st Marquess Donegal 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Elizabeth Newdigate