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: Harrington
In or before 1511 [his father] John Alexander Harrington [aged 13] and [his mother] Elizabeth Moton were married. They had five sons and four daughters.
Around 1511 James Harrington was born to John Alexander Harrington [aged 14] and Elizabeth Moton at Exton, Rutlandshire.
In or before 1540 James Harrington [aged 28] and Lucy Sidney [aged 19] were married.
In 1540 [his son] John Harington 1st Baron Harington was born to James Harrington [aged 29] and [his wife] Lucy Sidney [aged 20]. He married 1573 Anne Keilway Baroness Harington and had issue.
In 1542 [his son] James Harrington 1st Baronet was born to James Harrington [aged 31] and [his wife] Lucy Sidney [aged 22]. He married (1) before 1599 Frances Sapcote and had issue (2) 1601 Anne Bernard.
In 1545 [his daughter] Elizabeth Harrington was born to James Harrington [aged 34] and [his wife] Lucy Sidney [aged 25]. She married 1557 Edward Montagu and had issue.
In 1553 James Harrington [aged 42] was appointed High Sheriff of Rutlandshire.
On 25th August 1553 [his father] John Alexander Harrington [aged 56] died.
Between 1554 and 1589 James Harrington [aged 43] was elected Knight of the Shire Rutlandshire.
In 1555 Thomas Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Sussex [aged 30] and [his sister-in-law] Frances Sidney Countess Sussex [aged 24] were married. He the son of Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex [aged 48] and Elizabeth Howard.
In 1557 [his son-in-law] Edward Montagu [aged 27] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Harrington [aged 12] were married.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 17th February 1557 Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex [aged 50] died. He was buried at St Lawrence Pountney Church. His son Thomas [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Earl of Sussex, 3rd Viscount Fitzwalter, 12th Baron Fitzwalter. [his sister-in-law] Frances Sidney Countess Sussex [aged 26] by marriage Countess of Sussex.
In 1561 Robert Brooksby sold his share of Burley-on-the-Hill House to James Harrington [aged 50].
In 1565 [his daughter] Sarah Harrington was born to James Harrington [aged 54] and [his wife] Lucy Sidney [aged 45]. She married (1) before 24th April 1586 Francis Hastings, son of George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon and Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon, and had issue (2) before 1628 Thomas Edmondes.
In 1573 [his son] John Harington 1st Baron Harington [aged 33] and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Keilway Baroness Harington [aged 19] were married. His father James Harrington [aged 62] gave him Burley-on-the-Hill House as a wedding present.
In 1573 John Durrant sold his share of Burley-on-the-Hill House to James Harrington [aged 62].
Before 1579 [his son-in-law] William Leigh [aged 27] and [his daughter] Frances Harrington were married.
Around 1581 [his son-in-law] Edward Dudley 5th Baron Dudley [aged 13] and [his daughter] Theodosia Harrington Baroness Dudley were married.
Before 24th April 1586 [his son-in-law] Francis Hastings [aged 26] and [his daughter] Sarah Harrington [aged 21] were married. He the son of George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon [aged 46] and Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon.
On 1st August 1587 James Harrington [aged 76] attended the Burial of Mary Queen of Scots.
On 9th March 1589 [his sister-in-law] Frances Sidney Countess Sussex [aged 58] died. On 15th April 1589 she was buried in Chapel of St Paul, Westminster Abbey [Map].
Around 1591 [his wife] Lucy Sidney [aged 71] died at Exton, Rutlandshire.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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On 24th January 1592 James Harrington [aged 81] died. He was buried in the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map]. Monument to James Harrington and [his former wife] Lucy Sidney. A large standing Elizabethan Period monument with 2 kneeling figures at a prie-dieu in a double aedicule. Wrought in various marbles and enriched with low-relief carving, strapwork etc. surmounted by obelisk, and arms. Stylistically similar to the monument to Robert Keilway. Possibly sculpted by Nicholas Johnson or Nicholas Stone [aged 5].
Lucy Sidney: Around 1520 she was born to William Sidney and Anne Pakenham at Penshurst, Kent [Map]. In or before 1540 James Harrington and she were married. Around 1591 Lucy Sidney died at Exton, Rutlandshire.
[his daughter] Mary Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married before 1603 Edward Wingfield of Kimbolton and had issue.
[his daughter] Mabel Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married Andrew Noel and had issue.
[his daughter] Theodosia Harrington Baroness Dudley was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married 1581 Edward Dudley 5th Baron Dudley, son of Edward Sutton 4th Baron Dudley and Katherine Brydges Baroness Dudley, and had issue.
[his daughter] Frances Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married before 1579 William Leigh, son of Thomas Leigh, and had issue.
[his son] Henry Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. He married Cecilia Agar and had issue.
[his daughter] Catherine Harrington was born to James Harrington and Lucy Sidney. She married Edward Dymoke and had issue.
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 18 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: John Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harrington
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Culpepper 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Culpepper
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Culpepper
GrandFather: John Harrington
Father: John Alexander Harrington
GrandFather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire
Mother: Elizabeth Moton