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.

Biography of Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton 1749-1814

Paternal Family Tree: Egerton

On 14th August 1749 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton was born to [his father] Thomas Egerton 6th Baronet [aged 28].

In 1756 [his father] Thomas Egerton 6th Baronet [aged 35] died. His son Thomas [aged 6] succeeded 7th Baronet Egerton and Oulton.

In 1764 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 14] educated at Westminster School [Map].

On 12th September 1769 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 20] and Eleanor Assheton Viscountess Wilton [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Lady Egerton and Oulton.

On 19th July 1770 [his daughter] Eleanor Egerton Marchioness Westminster was born to Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 20] and [his wife] Eleanor Assheton Viscountess Wilton [aged 17]. She married 28th April 1794 Robert Grosvenor 1st Marquess Westminster, son of Richard Grosvenor 1st Earl Grosvenor, and had issue.

On 4th September 1772 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 23] was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1774 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 24] was elected MP Lancashire.

In 1780 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 30] was elected MP Lancashire.

On 15th May 1784 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 34] was created 1st Baron Grey Wilton. [his wife] Eleanor Assheton Viscountess Wilton [aged 31] by marriage Baroness Grey Wilton.

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.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 28th April 1794 [his son-in-law] Robert Grosvenor 1st Marquess Westminster [aged 27] and Eleanor Egerton Marchioness Westminster [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 44] and Eleanor Assheton Viscountess Wilton [aged 41]. He the son of Richard Grosvenor 1st Earl Grosvenor [aged 62].

The London Gazette 15375. Whitehall, June 15, 1801.

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the Right Honorable William Lord Craven [aged 30], and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Names, Stiles, and Titles of Viscount Uffington, in the County of Berks, and Earl of Craven in the County of York. [Louisa Brunton Countess Craven [aged 16] by marriage Countess Craven in Yorkshire].

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the Right Honourable George Lord Onslow [aged 69], and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Names, Stiles, and Title of Viscount Cranley, of Cranley, in the County of Surrey, and Earl of Onslow, of Onslow, in the County of Salop. [Henrietta Shelley Countess Onslow [aged 70] by marriage Countess Onslow.]

The King has also been pleased to grant the said Dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to the Right Honorable Charles Lord Romney [aged 56], and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stiles, and Titles of Viscount Marsham of the Mote, in the County of Kent, and 1st Earl of Romney.

The King has been pleased to grant the Dignity of Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Biitain and Ireland to the Right Honorable Thomas Lord Pelham [aged 73], and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten, by the Name, Stile, and Title of Earl of Chichester. [Anne Frankland Countess Chichester [aged 66] by marriage Countess Chichester.]

The King has likewise been pleased to grant the Dignities of Viscount and Earl of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Grey de Wilton [aged 51], and the Heirs Male, of his body lawfully begotten, by the Names, Stiles and Titles of Viscount Grey de Wilton, and Earl of Wilton, of Wilton Castle, in the County of Hereford, with Remainders to Thomas Grosvenor, Esq; Second Son, Robert Grosvenor, Esq. Third Son of the Right Honourable [his son-in-law] Robert Grosvenor [aged 34], (commonly called Viscount Belgrave), by [his daughter] Eleanor [aged 30] his Wife, Daughter of the said Thomas Lord Grey de Wilton, and the Fourth, Fifth, Sixths Seventh, and every other Son and Sons, of the said Eleanor by her present or any future Husband, hereafter to be begotten severally and successively, and the respective Heirs Male of their Bodies lawfully begotten. [[his wife] Eleanor Assheton Viscountess Wilton [aged 48] by marriage Countess Wilton.]

On 23rd September 1814 Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton [aged 65] died. His grandson Thomas [aged 14] succeeded 2nd Earl Wilton, 2nd Viscount Grey de Wilton. Baron Grey Wilton extinct. His fourth cousin John [aged 48] succeeded 8th Baronet Egerton and Oulton.

On 3rd February 1816 [his former wife] Eleanor Assheton Viscountess Wilton [aged 63] died.

Royal Ancestors of Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton 1749-1814

Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton 1749-1814

Great x 4 Grandfather: John "Black Sir John" Egerton

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roland Egerton 1st Baronet

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stanley

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Egerton 2nd Baronet 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Arthur Grey 14th Baron Grey of Wilton 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bridget Grey Lady Egerton and Oulton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Sibella Morrison Baroness Grey Wilton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Egerton 3rd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Holland Egerton 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Father: Thomas Egerton 6th Baronet 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cave

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cave of Croft Castle 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor St John 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cave 1st Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Herbert Croft

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Croft

Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Cave 2nd Baronet 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Wenman 1st Viscount Wenman 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Wenman 2nd Viscount Wenman 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Fermor 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Penelope Wenman Lady Cave 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

GrandMother: Eleanor Cave 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bromley

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Bromley Lady Cave

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Leigh

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Leigh 1st Baron Leigh

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ursula Hoddeston

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ursula Leigh

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Egerton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Egerton Baroness Leigh

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Venables

Thomas Egerton 1st Earl Wilton 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England