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.
Earl Denbigh is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
14th September 1622. William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 35] created.
8th April 1643. Son Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh [aged 35] succeeded. See Battle of Camp Hill.
28th November 1675. Nephew William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh [aged 34] succeeded.
23rd August 1685. Son Basil Feilding 3rd Earl Desmond 4th Earl Denbigh [aged 17] succeeded.
18th March 1717. Son William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh [aged 20] succeeded.
2nd August 1755. Son Basil Feilding 5th Earl Desmond 6th Earl Denbigh [aged 36] succeeded.
14th July 1800. Grandson William Feilding 6th Earl Desmond 7th Earl Denbigh [aged 4] succeeded.
25th June 1865. Son Rudolph Feilding 8th Earl of Denbigh 7th Earl Desmond [aged 42] succeeded.
10th March 1892. Son Rudolph Feilding 9th Earl of Denbigh [aged 32] succeeded.
25th November 1939. Grandson William Feilding 10th Earl of Denbigh [aged 27] succeeded.
31st December 1966. Son Rollo Feilding 11th Earl of Denbigh [aged 23] succeeded.
23rd March 1995. Son Alexander Feilding 12th Earl of Denbigh [aged 24] succeeded.
On 14th September 1622 William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 35] was created 1st Earl Denbigh. Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 39] by marriage Countess Denbigh.
On 8th April 1643 William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 56] died from wounds received at the Battle of Camp Hill at Monks Kikby, Warwickshire. His son Basil [aged 35] succeeded 2nd Earl Denbigh, 2nd Viscount Feilding, 2nd Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire. Elizabeth Bourchier Countess Denbigh [aged 17] by marriage Countess Denbigh.
Before 1668 William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh [aged 27] and Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh [aged 35] were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond Countess Denbigh. She the daughter of Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth and Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth [aged 66]. He the son of George Feilding 1st Earl Desmond and Bridget Stanhope Countess Desmond [aged 52].
After 22nd September 1670 Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh [aged 62] and Dorothy Lane Countess Denbigh were married. She by marriage Countess Denbigh. He the son of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh.
On 28th November 1675 Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh [aged 67] died. His nephew William [aged 34] succeeded 3rd Earl Denbigh, 3rd Viscount Feilding, 3rd Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 2nd Baron St Liz.
On 23rd August 1685 William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh [aged 44] died. His son Basil [aged 17] succeeded 3rd Earl Desmond, 4th Earl Denbigh, 4th Viscount Feilding, 4th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 3rd Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 3rd Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 3rd Baron St Liz.
On 22nd June 1695 Basil Feilding 3rd Earl Desmond 4th Earl Denbigh [aged 27] and Hester Firebrace Countess Desmond and Denbigh [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond and Countess Denbigh. He the son of William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh and Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh.
On 18th March 1717 Basil Feilding 3rd Earl Desmond 4th Earl Denbigh [aged 49] died. His son William [aged 20] succeeded 4th Earl Desmond, 5th Earl Denbigh, 5th Viscount Feilding, 5th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 4th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 4th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 4th Baron St Liz.
Before 3rd January 1719 William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh [aged 22] and Isabella Jong Countess Desmond and Denbigh were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond, Countess Denbigh. He the son of Basil Feilding 3rd Earl Desmond 4th Earl Denbigh and Hester Firebrace Countess Desmond and Denbigh [aged 42].
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 2nd August 1755 William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh [aged 58] died. His son Basil [aged 36] succeeded 5th Earl Desmond, 6th Earl Denbigh, 6th Viscount Feilding, 6th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 5th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 5th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 5th Baron St Liz.
On 12th April 1757 Basil Feilding 5th Earl Desmond 6th Earl Denbigh [aged 38] and Mary Cotton Countess Desmond and Denbigh [aged 4] were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond, Countess Denbigh. The difference in their ages was 33 years. He the son of William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh and Isabella Jong Countess Desmond and Denbigh.
On 21st July 1783 Basil Feilding 5th Earl Desmond 6th Earl Denbigh [aged 64] and Sarah Farnham Countess Desmond and Denbigh were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond, Countess Denbigh. He the son of William Feilding 4th Earl Desmond 5th Earl Denbigh and Isabella Jong Countess Desmond and Denbigh.
On 14th July 1800 Basil Feilding 5th Earl Desmond 6th Earl Denbigh [aged 81] died. His grandson William [aged 4] succeeded 6th Earl Desmond, 7th Earl Denbigh, 7th Viscount Feilding, 7th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 6th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 6th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 6th Baron St Liz.
On 8th May 1822 William Feilding 6th Earl Desmond 7th Earl Denbigh [aged 26] and Mary Elizabeth Kitty Moreton Countess Desmond and Denbigh [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Desmond Countess Denbigh. She the daughter of Thomas Reynolds-Moreton 1st Earl Ducie [aged 45] and Frances Herbert Baroness Ducie Tortworth [aged 40].
On 25th June 1865 William Feilding 6th Earl Desmond 7th Earl Denbigh [aged 69] died. His son Rudolph [aged 42] succeeded 7th Earl Desmond, 8th Earl Denbigh, 8th Viscount Feilding, 8th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 7th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 7th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 7th Baron St Liz.
On 10th March 1892 Rudolph Feilding 8th Earl of Denbigh 7th Earl Desmond [aged 68] died. His son Rudolph [aged 32] succeeded 8th Earl Desmond, 9th Earl Denbigh, 9th Viscount Feilding, 9th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 8th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 8th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 8th Baron St Liz.
On 25th November 1939 Rudolph Feilding 9th Earl of Denbigh [aged 80] died. His grandson William [aged 27] succeeded 9th Earl Desmond, 10th Earl Denbigh, 10th Viscount Feilding, 10th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 9th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 9th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 9th Baron St Liz.
On 31st December 1966 William Feilding 10th Earl of Denbigh [aged 54] died. His son Rollo [aged 23] succeeded 10th Earl Desmond, 11th Earl Denbigh, 11th Viscount Feilding, 11th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 10th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 10th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 10th Baron St Liz.
On 23rd March 1995 Rollo Feilding 11th Earl of Denbigh [aged 51] died. His son Alexander [aged 24] succeeded 11th Earl Desmond, 12th Earl Denbigh, 12th Viscount Feilding, 12th Baron Feilding of Newnham Paddocks in Warwickshire, 11th Viscount Callan of Callan in Kilkenny, 11th Baron Feilding of Lecagh in Tipperary, 11th Baron St Liz.