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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Strangeways
Before 1607 [his father] John Melbury Sampford Strangeways [aged 21] and [his mother] Grace Trenchard were married.
On 3rd June 1615 Giles Strangeways was born to John Melbury Sampford Strangeways [aged 29] and Grace Trenchard.
On 15th October 1636 [his son] John Strangeways was born to Giles Strangeways [aged 21] and [his future wife] Susanna Edwards. He married (1) 4th July 1672 his fifth cousin Anne Capell, daughter of Arthur Capell 1st Baron Capell Hadham and Elizabeth Morrison Baroness Capell Hadham (2) 13th March 1676 Mary Penruddock.
In April 1640 Giles Strangeways [aged 24] was elected MP Weymouth and Melcombe Regis during the Short Parliament.
In November 1640 Giles Strangeways [aged 25] was elected MP Bridport during the Long Parliament.
In 1643 [his son] Thomas Strangeways was born to Giles Strangeways [aged 27] and [his future wife] Susanna Edwards. He married 19th January 1675 Susan Ridout and had issue.
After August 1644 Giles Strangeways [aged 29] was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
In 1645 [his father] John Melbury Sampford Strangeways [aged 59] was imprisoned although his son Giles Strangeways [aged 29] remained as a hostage until his fine was paid at Tower of London [Map].
In 1646 [his son] Wadham Strangeways was born to Giles Strangeways [aged 30] and [his future wife] Susanna Edwards. He married 1676 Elizabeth Radford.
On 3rd September 1651 at Worcester, Worcestershire [Map] the Battle of Worcester Oliver Cromwell [aged 52] commanded the Parliamentary army with Charles Howard 1st Earl Carlisle [aged 22]. In the Royalist army Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 28], Thomas Blagge [aged 38] and Archibald Campbell 9th Earl Argyll [aged 22] fought. Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Cleveland [aged 60] was captured. Giles Strangeways [aged 36] provided 300 gold pieces to King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 21] following his defeat to aid his escape.
Henry Lyttelton 2nd Baronet [aged 27] fought for the Royalists, was captured and spent 17 months imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map].
Philip Musgrave 2nd Baronet [aged 44] fought for th Royalists.
In 1652 [his mother] Grace Trenchard died.
On 8th June 1653 [his father] John Melbury Sampford Strangeways [aged 67] and Judith Throckmorton were married.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1661 Giles Strangeways [aged 45] and Susanna Edwards were married.
On 8th May 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 30] summoned his second Parliament.
John Bennet 1st Baron Ossulston [aged 44] was elected MP Wallingford.
James Thynne [aged 56] was elected MP Wiltshire.
Adam Browne 2nd Baronet [aged 35] was elected MP Surrey.
Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne [aged 30] was elected MP Northumberland.
William Compton [aged 36] was elected MP Cambridge.
Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry [aged 32] was elected MP Camelford.
Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge [aged 61] was elected MP Bath and Heytesbury.
Edward Hungerford [aged 28] was elected MP Chippenham.
Robert Pierrepont [aged 24] was elected MP Nottingham.
[his father] John Melbury Sampford Strangeways [aged 75] was elected MP Weymouth.
Giles Strangeways [aged 45] was elected MP Dorset.
[his son] John Strangeways [aged 24] was elected MP Bridport.
William Wyndham 1st Baronet [aged 29] was elected MP Taunton.
James Herbert [aged 38] was elected MP Queenborough.
William Alington 1st and 3rd Baron Alington [aged 21] was elected MP Cambridge.
William Bowes of Streatlam [aged 4] was elected MP Durham.
Robert Brooke [aged 24] was elected MP Aldeburgh.
Josiah Child [aged 30] was elected MP Dartmouth.
Gervase Clifton 1st Baronet [aged 73] was elected MP Nottinghamshire.
Thomas Crew 2nd Baron Crew [aged 37] was elected MP Brackley.
Richard Jennings [aged 42] was elected MP St Albans.
Robert Kemp 2nd Baronet [aged 33] was elected MP Norfolk.
Edward Phelips [aged 48] was elected MP Somerset.
Robert Robartes [aged 27] was elected MP Bossiney.
Hender Robartes [aged 25] was elected MP Bodmin.
Clement Fisher 2nd Baronet [aged 48] was elected MP Coventry.
William Portman 6th Baronet [aged 17] was elected MP Taunton.
John Robinson 1st Baronet [aged 46] was elected MP Rye.
On 30th December 1666 [his father] John Melbury Sampford Strangeways [aged 81] died.
On 4th July 1672 [his son] John Strangeways [aged 35] and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Capell were married. They were fifth cousins.
On 19th January 1675 [his son] Thomas Strangeways [aged 32] and [his daughter-in-law] Susan Ridout [aged 15] were married.
On 20th July 1675 Giles Strangeways [aged 60] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Strangeways 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Giles Strangeways 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Arundell 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Strangeways 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Mordaunt
Great x 4 Grandmother: Edith Latimer
Great x 1 Grandfather: Giles Strangeways 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Manners 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Ros 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Manners 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas St Leger 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne York Duchess Exeter 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: John Melbury Sampford Strangeways 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Wadham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Wadham
Father: John Melbury Sampford Strangeways 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Boteville 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Thynne 
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Thynne
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Eynns
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Eynns
GrandMother: Dorothy Thynne
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Gresham 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Gresham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Gresham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Christian Gresham
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Lynne
Great x 2 Grandmother: Audrey Lynne
Giles Strangeways 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: George Trenchard
Mother: Grace Trenchard