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: Stanley
In 1796 [his father] John Stanley 1st Baron Stanley Alderley (age 29) and [his mother] Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] John Baker Holroyd 1st Earl Sheffield (age 60) and [his grandmother] Abigail Way Countess Sheffield.
On 13th November 1802 William Owen Stanley was born to [his father] John Stanley 1st Baron Stanley Alderley (age 35) and [his mother] Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley.
On 7th October 1826 [his brother] Edward John Stanley 2nd Baron Stanley and 1st Baron Eddisbury (age 23) and [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Maria Dillon Baroness Stanley Alderley and Eddisbury (age 18) were married.
On 1st June 1827 [his step-father] Arthur Charles Legge (age 26) and [his mother] Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] John Baker Holroyd 1st Earl Sheffield and [his grandmother] Abigail Way Countess Sheffield. He the son of George Legge 3rd Earl Dartmouth and Frances Finch Countess Dartmouth (age 66).
On 29th November 1827 [his grandfather] John Thomas Stanley 6th Baronet (age 92) died. His son [his father] John (age 61) succeeded 7th Baronet Stanley of Alderley in Cheshire. [his mother] Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley by marriage Lady Stanley of Alderley in Cheshire.
In 1832 William Owen Stanley (age 29) and Ellin Williams were married.
In 1837 William Owen Stanley (age 34) was elected MP Anglesey.
In 1839 [his father] John Stanley 1st Baron Stanley Alderley (age 72) was created 1st Baron Stanley Alderley. [his mother] Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley by marriage Baroness Stanley Alderley.
In 1848 [his brother] Edward John Stanley 2nd Baron Stanley and 1st Baron Eddisbury (age 45) was created 1st Baron Eddisbury of Winnington in Cheshire. [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Maria Dillon Baroness Stanley Alderley and Eddisbury (age 40) by marriage Baroness Eddisbury of Winnington in Cheshire.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1850 William Owen Stanley (age 47) was elected MP City of Chester.
On 23rd October 1850 [his father] John Stanley 1st Baron Stanley Alderley (age 83) died. His son [his brother] Edward (age 47) succeeded 2nd Baron Stanley Alderley, 8th Baronet Stanley of Alderley in Cheshire. [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Maria Dillon Baroness Stanley Alderley and Eddisbury (age 42) by marriage Baroness Stanley Alderley.
In 1857 William Owen Stanley (age 54) was elected MP Beaumaris.
In 1863 [his mother] Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley died.
On 2nd March 1869 William Owen Stanley (age 66) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey.
On 16th June 1869 [his brother] Edward John Stanley 2nd Baron Stanley and 1st Baron Eddisbury (age 66) died. His son [his nephew] Henry (age 41) succeeded 3rd Baron Stanley Alderley, 2nd Baron Eddisbury of Winnington in Cheshire, 9th Baronet Stanley of Alderley in Cheshire.
On 24th February 1884 William Owen Stanley (age 81) died. Monument in the Stanley Chapel, St Cybi's Church, Holyhead [Map] sculpted by William Hamo Thornycroft (age 33).
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 27 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 24 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 1st Baronet 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Stanley 2nd Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 3rd Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Stanley 5th Baronet 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: John Thomas Stanley 6th Baronet 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Father: John Stanley 1st Baron Stanley Alderley 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
William Owen Stanley 16 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: John Baker Holroyd 1st Earl Sheffield
Mother: Maria Josepha Holroyd Baroness Stanley Alderley
Great x 1 Grandfather: Lewis Way
GrandMother: Abigail Way Countess Sheffield