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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On 6th November 1528 Dean Gabriel Goodman was born to [his father] Edward Goodman at Nantclwyd y Dre.
On 23rd September 1561 Dean Gabriel Goodman [aged 32] was appointed Dean of Westminster Abbey.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd September 1561. The xxiij day was mad dene of Westmynster master Goodman [aged 32].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 13th February 1562. The fryday after dyd pryche a-for the quen [aged 28] at the cowrt the dene of Westmynster master Goodman [aged 33].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 31st October 1562. The xxxj day of October was bered good mastores Luwen, wedowe, latte the wyff of master Thomas Luwen yrmonger and altherman, and she gayff a xxiiij gownes to powre women, and she gayff mony blake gownes; and ther was the compene of the Clarkes; and a ij dosen of skochyons of armes; and master Chamburlayn the shreyff and John Dune here servand was here sekturs [executors], and master Wylliam Draper oversear; and dyre [there] dyd pryche for here master Goodman [aged 33] the dene of Westmynster; and all the crafte of the Yrmongers ther; and after to here plase, for ther was a grett dener for as mony as wold cum, and after was sent spyse bred to evere howse and about the cette unto worshephulle men and women.
Note. P. 294. Funeral of mistress Lewen. See a former note (p. 344) on this lady's husband. At "a quarter court (of the Ironmongers' company) 19 Jan. 1562[–3] was brought into this house 2 salts with a cover, all gilt, weighing lxv. oz. which Mrs. Agnes Lewen lately gave at hir deceas to this company." Richard Chamberlain the sheriff, executor, and William Draper the overseer, of mistress Lewen's will, were both members of the same fraternity.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th February 1563. The xx day of Feybruary was bered at sant Brydes in Flettstrett master Denham [deceased] sqwyre, and the chyrche ther was mad ray[led] and hangyd with blake and armes, and he was cared to the chyrche, a-for him a mornar bayryng a pennon of armes, and after cam a harold of armes bayryng ys cott armur, and then cam the corse with a palle of blake velvett with armes on yt, and iiij of ys men bare hym; and then the mornars, the cheyffe was ser Recherd Sakfeld, and a xx mo mornars; and the dene of Westmynster [aged 34] mad the sermon; and after ther was a grett dener of all maner of fysse; and a ij dosen of skochyons.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 30th April 1563. The xxx day of Aprelle was cared to berehyng from sant Margett in Lothbere unto sant Donstones in Whest [Map] master Chamley the recorder, and ther was a C [100] mornars in blake, and the swardbayrer, and my lord mare and dyvers althermen and the reseduw [...] vyolett, and a lx gowne to pore men; and sant Donstones cherche hangyd with blake and armes, and raylles mad for the body; and so they whentt throughe Chep-syd, and so to Nuwgat, and so up Flett strett to sant Donstones, furst ij porters in blake, and then the pore men, and then serten mornars, and on bayryng ys baner of armes, and then ij haroldes of armes, and on ys cot beyryng, and then cam the corse with a pall of blake velvett and with armes, and then cam ij mornars baryng ij pennons of armes, and then the mornars cam, ser Thomas Lee, ser Wylliam Garrett, ser Thomas Offeley [aged 63], master John Whytt, and after my lord mayre; and after ij C. of the yn of the cortes to the chyrche, and a xx of clarkes syngyng; and master Goodman [aged 34] mad the sermon; and after to the plase to dener, for ther was the grettyst dener that ever I sawe.... strett, and he gayff for ys .... of rattes coller unto xxx pore men, and .... chyrche was hangyd with blake and armes ... the mornars and the corse hangyd with blake and armes ... furst whent the pore men, then cam a mornar beyryng a pennon of armes, and next a harold beyryng ys cote armur, and then cam the corse with a pall of blake velvett and with [arms, and] then the clarkes metyng the corse, and then cam master ... cheyff mornar, and dyvers odur mornars; and the dene of Westmynster mad the sermon.
On 17th June 1601 Dean Gabriel Goodman [aged 72] died.