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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: Norton
On 20th January 1920 Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor was born to [her father] Richard Henry Brinsley Norton 6th Baron Grantley (age 28).
1938. Unknown Photographer. Photograph of debutante Sarah Norton (age 17).
On 5th August 1943 [her grandfather] John Brinsley Norton 5th Baron Grantley (age 87) died. His son [her father] Richard (age 51) succeeded 6th Baron Grantley of Markenfield in Yorkshire.
On 14th June 1945 William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 37) and Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor (age 25) were married. They had met one month before at a VE Day cocktail party given by her aunt Katherine "Kitty" Kinloch Baroness Brownlow (age 39) having become engaged five days later.
On 19th September 1951 Gilbert Heathcote-Willoughby-Drummond 2nd Earl Ancaster (age 84) died. His son Gilbert (age 43) succeeded 3rd Earl Ancaster in Lincolnshire, 27th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, 4th Baron Aveland, 8th Baronet Heathcote of London. [her sister-in-law] Nancy Phyllis Louise Astor Countess Astor (age 42) by marriage Countess Ancaster in Lincolnshire.
On 27th December 1951 [her son] William Astor 4th Viscount Astor was born to [her husband] William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 44) and Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor (age 31).
On 30th September 1952 [her father-in-law] Waldorf Astor 2nd Viscount Astor (age 73) died. His son [her husband] William (age 45) succeeded 3rd Viscount Astor, 3rd Baron Astor. Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor (age 32) by marriage Viscountess Astor.
In 1953 William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 45) and Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor (age 32) were divorced.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 17th April 1953 Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Michael Baring (age 25) and Sarah Norton (age 33) were married.
In 1954 [her father] Richard Henry Brinsley Norton 6th Baron Grantley (age 62) died. His son [her brother] John (age 31) succeeded 7th Baron Grantley of Markenfield in Yorkshire.
On 26th April 1955 [her former husband] William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 47) and Phillipa Victoria Hunloke Viscountess Astor (age 24) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Astor. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of Henry Philip Hunloke (age 48) and Anne Cavendish Countess Sandwich (age 45).
On 3rd June 1960 [her former husband] William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 52) and Phillipa Victoria Hunloke Viscountess Astor (age 29) were divorced.
On 14th October 1960 [her former husband] William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 53) and Janet Bronwen Alun-Pugh Viscountess Astor (age 30) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Astor. The difference in their ages was 22 years.
The second photograph J Wilds/Getty Images.
Janet Bronwen Alun-Pugh Viscountess Astor: On 6th June 1930 she was born. On 28th December 2017 she died.
In 1965 Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Michael Baring (age 37) and Sarah Norton (age 44) were divorced.
On 7th March 1966 [her former husband] William Waldorf Astor 3rd Viscount Astor (age 58) died. His son [her son] William (age 14) succeeded 4th Viscount Astor, 4th Baron Astor.
In 1995 [her brother] John Norton 7th Baron Grantley (age 72) died. His son [her nephew] Richard (age 38) succeeded 8th Baron Grantley of Markenfield in Yorkshire.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 11th December 2009 [her former husband] Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Michael Baring (age 82) died.
On 4th February 2013 Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor (age 93) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 27 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 30 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 27 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 27 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 31 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fletcher Norton 1st Baron Grantley 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Fletcher Norton 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Chapple Baroness Grantley
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Chapple Norton 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Caroline Elizabeth Balmain
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Brinsley Norton 4th Baron Grantley 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Sheridan
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Anne Linley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Caroline Elizabeth Sheridan 21 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Colonel James Campbell of Ardkinglass
Great x 3 Grandmother: Caroline Henrietta Callander 20 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Helena MacDonnell 19 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: John Brinsley Norton 5th Baron Grantley 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Father: Richard Henry Brinsley Norton 6th Baron Grantley 16 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Commodore William McVickar
GrandMother: Katharine Buckner McVickar Baroness Grantley
Sarah Norton Viscountess Astor 17 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England