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: Pitt
On 1st May 1721 George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers was born to [his father] George Pitt of Stratfield Saye [aged 31] in Geneva.
On 26th October 1745 [his father] George Pitt of Stratfield Saye [aged 55] died.
On 4th January 1746 George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 24] and Penelope Atkins were married. Their marriage was notoriously unhappy and they were often estranged.
On 23rd February 1749 [his daughter] Penelope Pitt Viscountess Ligonier was born to George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 27] and [his wife] Penelope Atkins. She married (1) 6th December 1766 Edward Ligonier 1st Earl Ligonier.
On 19th September 1751 [his son] George Pitt 2nd Baron Rivers was born to George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 30] and [his wife] Penelope Atkins at Angers [Map].
In 1754 [his daughter] Louisa Pitt was born to George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 32] and [his wife] Penelope Atkins in Stratfield Saye Estate, Hampshire [Map]. She married 22nd March 1773 Peter Beckford and had issue.
In 1756 [his daughter] Marcia Lucy Pitt was born to George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 34] and [his wife] Penelope Atkins. She married James Lane-Fox and had issue.
On 6th December 1766 [his son-in-law] Edward Ligonier 1st Earl Ligonier [aged 26] and [his daughter] Penelope Pitt Viscountess Ligonier [aged 17] were married at the chapel of the British Embassy, Paris.
On 7th November 1771 [his son-in-law] Edward Ligonier 1st Earl Ligonier [aged 31] and [his daughter] Penelope Pitt Viscountess Ligonier [aged 22] were divorced.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 22nd March 1773 [his son-in-law] Peter Beckford [aged 33] and [his daughter] Louisa Pitt [aged 19] were married.
The London Gazette 11665. St. James's, May 14 [1776]. The King [aged 37] has been pleased to order a Writ to be issued under the Great Seal of Great Britain for summoning Francis Osborne, Esq; commonly called Marquess of Carmarthen, up to the House of Peers, by the Stile and Title of Baron Olborne of Kiveton in the County of York.
The King has been pleased to grant unto her Grace the Dutchess of Argyll [aged 42] the Dignity of a Baroness of the Kingdom of Great Britain, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baroness Hamilton, of Hameldon in the County of Leicester; and the Dignity of a Baron to her Heirs Male.
The King has also been pleased to grant the Dignity of a Baron of the Kingdom of Great Britain unto the following Gentlemen, and their Heirs Male; viz.
Alexander Hume Campbell,.Esq; commonly called Lord Polwarth, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Hume of Berwick.
John Stuart, Esq; commonly called Lord Mount Stuart, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Cardiff of Cardiff Castle in the County of Glamorgan.
The Right Honorable Sir Edward Hawke, Knight of the Bath, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Hawke of Towton in the County of York.
The Right Honorable George Onslow, by the Name, Stile and Title of Baron Cranley of Imber Court in the County of Surrey.
The Right Honorable Sir Jeffery Amherst, Knight os the Bath, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Amherst of Holmesdale in the County of Kent.
Sir Brownlow Cust [aged 31], Bart, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Brownlow of Belton in the County of Lincoln. [Frances Bankes Baroness Brownlow by marriage Baroness Brownlow of Belton in Lincolnshire.]
George Pitt [aged 55], Esq; by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Rivers of Stratfieldsay in the County of Southampton.
Nathaniel Ryder [aged 40], Esq; by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Harrowby of Harrowby in the County of Lincoln. [Elizabeth Terrick Baroness Harrowby by marriage Baroness Harrowby of Harrowby in Lincolnshire.]
Thomas Foley [aged 59], Esq; of Great Witley in the County of Worcester, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Baron Foley of Kidderminster in the County of Worcester.
In 1791 [his daughter] Louisa Pitt [aged 37] died of tuberculosis in Florence, Tuscany. She was buried in the Old English Cemetery.
On 1st January 1795 [his wife] Penelope Atkins died in Milan, Italy. She was buried at the Old English Cemetery Livorno Italy.
On 16th March 1802 George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 80] was created 1st Baron Rivers of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire with special remainder, in default of male issue, to his brother Sir William and his issue male, failing which to his daughter Louisa's son Horace Beckford [aged 24] and his issue male. The latter condition was effected on the death of his son George Pitt 2nd Baron Rivers [aged 50].
Before 17th December 1806 Thomas Beach [aged 68]. Portrait of George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 85].
On 7th April 1821 George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers [aged 99] died. His son George [aged 69] succeeded 2nd Baron Rivers of Stratfield Saye in Hampshire, 2nd Baron Rivers of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 22 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 Pitt
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Pitt
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Pitt
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Pitt
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Morton 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandmother: Rachel Morton
GrandFather: George Pitt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Savage 1st Baronet 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Savage 1st Viscount Savage 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 1st Earl Rivers 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Kitson Countess Rivers 
11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Savage Baroness Chandos 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Parker 13th Baron Marshal 12th Baron Morley 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Parker 4th Baron Monteagle 14th Baron Marshal 13th Baron Morley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanley Baroness Marshal Morley 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Parker 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Tresham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tresham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Muriel Throckmorton 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: George Pitt of Stratfield Saye 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
George Pitt 1st Baron Rivers 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England