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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Wellow, Somerset is in Somerset.
Hinton Priory, Somerset is also in Priories in England.
Hinton Priory [Map] was a Carthusian monastery from 1232 until 1539.
Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society Volume 3 Pages 114-124. No. 5. Mrs. Shaa. — An altar tomb in the N.W. corner of the small chapel, standing north and south. Mrs. Shaa was sister to Sir Edward Hungerford, (No. 4.) and lived at Hinton Abbey [Map], of which she had a lease from her brother. She died 1613. On a brass tablet against the wall, above the monument, is an inscription in verse, relating to her.
Wellow Roman Villa [Map]. The site of the villa has long been known and excavations have been conducted over a number of centuries, all of which are documented in the Victoria County History of Somerset; the initial dig conducted in 1685 uncovered a mosaic floor and several wall foundations, excavations in 1737 were published in the Vetusta Monumenta of 1747, and further digs conducted in 1787 and 1807 were documented in the Gentleman's Magazine for the appropriate year; the latest dig was conducted by Skinner and Weddell in 1822 and the results published privately in 1823.
Vesta Monumenta. 1738. Plates 50 to 52. Three mid fourth-century CE Roman mosaic pavements at Wellow, Somerset [Map] the first of which was found by John Aubrey c. 1685. Further investigations of the site were carried out in 1737 by Edmund Prideaux (age 44) and James West, who found the second and third pavements, respectively. Engravings by George Vertue (age 54) after James Vertue (age 78) and James West.
James Vertue: In 1660 he was born.
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1885 V22 Pages 234-238. Saturday, 3 October, 1809. Hot sultry day. Drove to Frome, and rode from thence to Chatley, where I breakfasted with my friend Mr. Meade. Accompanied him to Wellow [Map], where on the opposite side of the river, in a large common field, of arable land called the Hayes, Colonel Leigh, of Combe Hay, is now uncovering the pavements and foundations of a Roman villa. A prior discovery had been made of it in 1737, and three engravings made, of three different pavements, by the Antiquarian Society, and published in their "Vetusta Monumenta" Of these two are at present uncovered. The large one is sadly mutilated, but sufficient both of the centre and border is left to show that the drawing made in 1737 is notoriously incorrect. So much so, that were it not for the peacock's tail in the centre, remaining, we might almost suppose it was not the pavement originally engraven. The second sized floor is much more correct. The third (a narrow oblong) has not been yet discovered— unless it should prove to be the slip, adjoining the peacock apartment— but I can hardly suppose that the artist eould have carried his incorrectness so far, when he made the design of it, though, if only the centre pattern of this slip was uncovered, it is possible such an error might have been made. Accurate tracings are now making of the different pavements by the Rev. Mr. Skinner, of Camerton.
"A coin of Alectus, lately found, throws some light on the date of this villa.