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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St Mildred's Church, Bread Street, Bread Street Ward, City of London, England, British Isles

St Mildred's Church, Bread Street is in Bread Street.

On 3rd November 1625 Ellis Crispe (age 63) died. He was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street. His will was proven on 7th November 1625 at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

On 27th February 1643 Tobias Crispe (age 43) died of smallpox. He was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.

In December 1662 Sarah Ashe died. She was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.

On 26th February 1666 Nicholas Crispe 1st Baronet (age 67) died. He was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street. His grandson Nicholas (age 23) succeeded 2nd Baronet Crispe of Hammersmith in Middlesex.

On 2nd August 1669 Bishop Edward Worth (age 49) died at Hackney. He was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.

In November 1698 Nicholas Crispe 2nd Baronet (age 55) died. He was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street. His son John (age 22) succeeded 3rd Baronet Crispe of Hammersmith in Middlesex.

Between 8th February 1699, the date of her will, and 2nd May 1700, the date her will was proved, Judith Adrian Lady Crispe died. She was buried with her husband at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.

On 28th July 1714 Thomas Crispe of Dornford (age 73) died. He was buried at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.

On 3rd October 1791 Henry Cecil 1st Marquess Exeter (age 37) and Sarah Hoggins Countess Exeter (age 17) were married at St Mildred's Church, Bread Street.

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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St Margaret Moses Church was a parish church which stood on the east side of Friday Street in the Bread Street ward of the City of London. It was destroyed in the Great Fire of London of 1666 and not rebuilt; instead the parish was united with that of St Mildred Bread Street.