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: Talbot
Around June 1708 [his father] Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 23] and [his mother] Cecil Mathew Baroness Talbot were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Bishop William Talbot [aged 50] and [his grandmother] Mary Stoughton.
On 16th May 1710 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot was born to [his father] Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 25] and [his mother] Cecil Mathew Baroness Talbot at Worcester, Worcestershire [Map].
On 13th June 1720 [his mother] Cecil Mathew Baroness Talbot died.
In 1725 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 14] educated at Eton College [Map].
On 23rd January 1727 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 16] began his education at Exeter College, Oxford University.
In 1733 [his father] Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 48] was created 1st Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
On 21st February 1733 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 22] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 14] were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square.
In July 1735 [his daughter] Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor was born to William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 25] and [his wife] Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 16]. She married 16th August 1756 George Rice and had issue.
On 12th June 1736 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 26] was appointed Doctor of Civil Law.
On 14th February 1737 [his father] Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 52] died at Lincoln's Inn Fields. His son William [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire. [his wife] Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 18] by marriage Baroness Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
In March 1743 Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort [aged 35] and Frances Scudamore 3rd Duchess Beaufort [aged 32] were divorced. He sued William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 32], with whom his wife was having an affair, for damages.
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 16th August 1756 [his son-in-law] George Rice and Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 46] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 37].
In 1761 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 50] was appointed Privy Council.
On 29th March 1761 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 50] was created 1st Earl Talbot. [his wife] Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 42] by marriage Countess Talbot.
On 22nd September 1761 King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 23] was crowned III King Great Britain and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton [aged 24] was the Bearer of the Ivory Rod with the Dove.
William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 51] was appointed Lord High Steward.
Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] was the bearer of the Sword of State although the actual Sword of State couldn't be found and the Lord Mayor's Pearl Sword was substituted.
On 17th October 1780 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 70] was created 1st Baron Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire. [his wife] Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 61] by marriage Baroness Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire.
On 27th April 1782 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 71] died at Lincoln's Inn. Earl Talbot extinct. His daughter Cecil [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baroness Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire. His nephew John [aged 33] succeeded 3rd Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
On 5th April 1787 [his former wife] Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 68] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Talbot of Albrighton 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Talbot 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wrottesley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Sharington Talbot 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Sharington of Lacock in Wiltshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Olive Sharington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Paggett of Lacock Abbey
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Talbot 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Washbourne
GrandFather: Bishop William Talbot 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Doughty
Father: Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Mary Stoughton
William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Charles Mathew of Castell y Mynach Glamorganshire
Mother: Cecil Mathew Baroness Talbot