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: Brugge
In 1500 Richard Brydges was born to [his father] Henry Brydges (age 36).
On 2nd November 1518 Richard Brydges (age 18) admitted at Middle Temple.
In 1523 Richard Brydges (age 23) was elected MP Ludgershall (Note. There is some doubt about this).
Before 1525 Richard Brydges (age 24) and Anne Norrys were married.
In 1529 Richard Brydges (age 29) was elected MP Ludgershall.
In 1536 Richard Brydges (age 36) was elected MP Ludgershall (Note. There is some doubt about this).
After 6th December 1537 [his father] Henry Brydges (deceased) died.
In 1539 Richard Brydges (age 39) was elected MP Berkshire (Note. There is some doubt about this).
Before 1540 Richard Brydges (age 39) and Jane Spencer (age 20) were married.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In or before 1540 [his daughter] Jane Brydges was born to Richard Brydges (age 39) and [his wife] Jane Spencer (age 20).
In 1543 [his son] Anthony Brydges was born to Richard Brydges (age 43) and [his wife] Jane Spencer (age 24). He married 1562 Barbara Pexall.
In 1546 [his daughter] Frances Brydges was born to Richard Brydges (age 46) and [his wife] Jane Spencer (age 27).
In or before 1547 [his son] Leonor Foix was born to Richard Brydges (age 46) and [his wife] Jane Spencer (age 27). He married Alice Goddard.
In April 1553 Richard Brydges (age 53) was elected MP Berkshire.
In October 1553 Richard Brydges (age 53) was elected MP Ludgershall.
In 1554 Richard Brydges (age 54) was appointed High Sheriff of Berkshire.
In November 1554 Richard Brydges (age 54) was elected MP Berkshire.
In 1558 Richard Brydges (age 58) was elected MP Ludgershall (Note. There is some doubt about this).
On 1st August 1558 Richard Brydges (age 58) died.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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Henry Machyn's Diary. 9th September 1558. The ix day of September was bered ser Recherd Brygys (deceased) in the conte of (blank).
After 1563 Simon Harcourt (age 46) and [his former wife] Jane Spencer (age 44) were married.
On 29th September 1593 [his former wife] Jane Spencer (age 74) died at Ludgershall, Wiltshire.
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Brugge
Great x 1 Grandfather: Giles Brugge 4th Baron Chandos
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley of Coberley 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Berkeley
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Chandos 2nd Baron Chandos
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Chandos
GrandFather: Thomas Brugge 5th Baron Chandos
Father: Henry Brydges
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Darrell
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Darrell
GrandMother: Florence Darrell Baroness Chandos