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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Cheyne Walk is in Chelsea.
Cheyne Walk was named after William Cheyne 2nd Viscount Newhaven.
Around 1850. Henry Pether [aged 50]. Cheyne Walk in Chelsea, London, by Moonlight.
Around July 1969 Keith Richards [aged 25] and Anita Pallenburg [aged 27] moved to 3 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
On 22nd December 1880 Mary Anne Evans aka George Eliot [aged 61] died at her house 4 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea
David Lloyd George lived at 10 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
David Lloyd George lived at 10 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
Letters of Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1863. 2nd January 1863. Friday. 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
My dear Rose [aged 43]
I have asked Whistler to dinner Thursday next at 6. Will you meet him?
Your
D G Rossetti [aged 34]
Next Wednesday will do well for the Deed of Partnership
Letters of Dante Gabriel Rossetti 1863. 9th December 1863. 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
My dear Leathart [aged 43],
The picture of Whistler's [aged 29] which I mentioned was the unfinished Chinese one, since bought by Gambart [aged 49] & which was, as I thought, the one about which you wished to know.
The Thames picture is still unsold, and on enquiring of Whistler I find its price is 300 guineas. It is the noblest of all the pictures he has done hitherto, and is the one for your collection.
regards Legros' works, I yesterday saw for the first time a picture he is doing now, of Hamlet in his mother's chamber, where he kills Polonius, about 20 inches by 15 I suppose in size, it may be rather more, and a truly admirable work, the finest he has done in London as yet. He intends to ask 45 guineas for it. It is so very cheap proportionately to the other that I am induced to mention it to you, since it is a work which will stand the proximity of anything whatever, being most full & luminous in colour, though, like all his work, low in tone.
With kind remembrances to Mrs. Leathart[8].
I remain my dear Leathart
Yours ever truly
D G Rossetti [aged 35]
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Dante Gabriel Rossetti lived at 16 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
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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19 to 26 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea cover the site of the original Chelsea Palace afterwards the residence of Hans Sloane 1st Baronet.
Ian Fleming lived at 24 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
Bram Stoker lived at 27 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
During the 1960s Mick Jagger [aged 16] and Marianne Faithfull [aged 13] lived at 48 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
After the death of her husband in April 1877, Anne Lea aka Merritt [aged 32] lived the rest of her life at 95 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. She made frequent trips between her home in England and the United States; she had exhibitions, garnered awards in both countries, and become a celebrated artist.
In 1895 John Tweed [aged 25] moved to 108 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea with his wife Edith Clinton, secretary to the National Society for Women's Suffrage. They lived there for rest of his life.
On 19th December 1851 Joseph Mallord William Turner [aged 76] died of 'natural decay' at the home of Sophia Caroline Booth at his cottage 119 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea aka Davis Place, Cremorne Road. He was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.
Around 1771 Belle Vue House 92 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea was constructed.
1873. Alice Boyd 14th of Penkill [aged 48]. Cappella di S. Clemente [Chapel of San Clemente/S Marks, Venice]. On a label attached to the reverse "Painted by Alice Boyd Bellevue House, Chelsea".
Lindsey House Cheyne Walk, Chelsea was subsequently divided into 96-101 Cheyne Walk.
On 1st May 1729 Brownlow Bertie 5th Duke Ancaster and Kesteven was born to Peregrine Bertie 2nd Duke Ancaster and Kesteven [aged 43] and Jane Brownlow Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven at Lindsey House Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. He married (1) 11th November 1762 Harriot Pitt (2) 2nd January 1769 Mary Anne Layard and had issue.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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98 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea was the home of Marc Isambard Brunel and also his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel.