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: Berkeley
Before 1628 [his father] Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 28) and [his mother] Penelope Godolphin Viscountess Fitzhardinge were married. They were second cousins.
Before 15th June 1628 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge was born to [his father] Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 28) and [his mother] Penelope Godolphin Viscountess Fitzhardinge. On 15th June 1628 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge was baptised.
On 1st January 1648 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 19) and Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 25) were married.
In July 1660 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) rewarded those who supported his Restoration...
2nd. Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 32) was created 1st Baronet Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset. [his wife] Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 37) by marriage Lady Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset.
4th. Thomas Myddelton 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Myddelton of Chirk Castle.
6th. Varney Noel 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Noel.
7th. George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 51) was created 1st Duke Albemarle, 1st Earl Torrington in Devon. Anne Clarges Duchess Albermarle (age 41) by marriage Duchess Albemarle.
12th. Robert Hales 1st Baronet (age 50) was created 1st Baronet Hales of Beakesbourne in Kent.
12th. Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich (age 34) was created 1st Earl Sandwich. Jemima Crew Countess Sandwich (age 35) by marriage Countess Sandwich.
14th. Elizabeth Feilding Countess Guildford was created 1st Countess Guildford by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. The peerage for life.
18th. Samuel Morland 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Morland of Sulhamstead Banister. Susanne de Milleville Lady Morland by marriage Lady Morland of Sulhamstead Banister.
23rd. Henry Vernon 1st Baronet (age 55) was created 1st Baronet Vernon of Hodnet in Shropshire.
23rd. John Aubrey 1st Baronet (age 54) was created 1st Baronet Aubrey of Llantrithyd in Glamorganshire.
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In 1661 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 32) was elected MP Wells.
On 1st July 1663 [his brother] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 33) was created 1st Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry, 1st Baron Berkeley of Rathdowne in Wicklow with a remainder to his father who subsequently succeeded.
In 1664 [his brother] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 33) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 19) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.
On 17th March 1664 [his brother] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 34) was created 1st Earl Falmouth, 1st Baron Botetourt Langport in Somerset. [his sister-in-law] Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 19) by marriage Countess Falmouth.
After 17th March 1664 [his brother] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 34) was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Portsmouth.
On 12th June 1668 [his father] Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 68) died. He was buried at Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map]. His son Maurice (age 39) succeeded 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry. [his wife] Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 45) by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.
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 1681 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 52) was elected MP Bath.
In 1690 [his brother] John Berkeley 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 40) was appointed Custos Rotulorum Somerset.
On 13th June 1690 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 61) died. His brother [his brother] John (age 40) succeeded 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry, 2nd Baronet Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset. Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 36) by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.
Before 23rd November 1704 [his former wife] Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 81) 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 England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edward I 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: William Berkeley 
7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stafford 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Coningsby
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coningsby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Ferriby
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Berkeley 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Blount 3rd Baron Mountjoy 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lora Berkeley Countess Ormonde 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Blount 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Keble
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Keble Baroness Mountjoy
GrandFather: Maurice Berkeley 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Lygon of Madresfield Court 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Lygon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Beauchamp 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Lygon 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Greville 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Greville
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Lygon 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Denys
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Denys
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Denys 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 3rd Baron Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Berkeley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Meade 3rd Baroness Berkeley
Father: Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Killigrew 
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Killigrew
GrandMother: Elizabeth Killigrew
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Saunders
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margery Saunders
Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Godolphin 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Godolphin
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Godolphin
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Godolphin
GrandFather: William Godolphin
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Killigrew
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Killigrew