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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Earl Rivers is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically.
Earl Rivers is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
March 1466. Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] created.
12th August 1469. Son Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 29] succeeded. See Execution of the Woodvilles.
25th June 1483. Brother Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 30] succeeded. See Execution of the Yorkists and their Affinity.
6th March 1491. Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers extinct.
Before March 1466 Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] was created 1st Earl Rivers by King Edward IV of England [aged 23].
On 12th August 1469 Woodvilles father and son were beheaded at Kenilworth Castle [Map] by supporters of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 40].
Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 64] was beheaded. His son Anthony [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Earl Rivers, 2nd Baron Rivers. Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers by marriage Countess Rivers.
John Woodville [aged 24] was beheaded.
Before October 1480 Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 40] and Mary Fitzlewis Countess Rivers [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Rivers. The difference in their ages was 25 years. He the son of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford.
On 25th June 1483 supporters of the Woodvilles were executed at Pontefract Castle [Map]..
Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 43] was beheaded. His brother Richard [aged 30] succeeded 3rd Earl Rivers, 3rd Baron Rivers.
Richard Grey [aged 26] and Thomas Vaughan [aged 73] were beheaded.
On 6th March 1491 Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 38] died. Earl Rivers, Baron Rivers extinct.
Earl Rivers is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
4th November 1626. Thomas Darcy 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] created.
25th February 1640. Grandson John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 37] succeeded.
10th October 1654. Son Thomas Savage 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 26] succeeded.
14th September 1694. Son Richard Savage 4th Earl Rivers [aged 40] succeeded.
18th August 1712. First Cousin John Savage 5th Earl Rivers [aged 47] succeeded.
9th May 1737. John Savage 5th Earl Rivers extinct.
On 4th November 1626 Thomas Darcy 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] was created 1st Earl Rivers with a special remainder to his grandson John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 23]. Mary Kitson Countess Rivers [aged 59] by marriage Countess Rivers.
On 25th February 1640 Thomas Darcy 1st Earl Rivers [aged 75] died at Winchester House Broad Street. His grandson John [aged 37] succeeded 2nd Earl Rivers, 2nd Viscount Colchester. Baron Darcy of Chiche extinct.
Before 6th March 1647 John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 44] and Mary Ogle Countess Rivers were married. She by marriage Countess Rivers. He the son of Thomas Savage 1st Viscount Savage and Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers [aged 66].
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 10th October 1654 John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 51] died at Frodsham Castle [Map]. His son Thomas [aged 26] succeeded 3rd Earl Rivers, 3rd Viscount Colchester, 3rd Viscount Savage, 3rd Baron Darcy of Chiche, 4th Baronet Savage of Rocksavage in Cheshire. Elizabeth Scrope Countess Rivers [aged 27] by marriage Countess Rivers.
In 1684 Thomas Savage 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 56] and Arabella Bertie Countess Rivers were married. She by marriage Countess Rivers. She the daughter of Robert Bertie 3rd Earl Lindsey [aged 53] and Mary Massingberd. He the son of John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers and Catherine Parker. They were fifth cousins.
On 14th September 1694 Thomas Savage 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 66] died at Great Queen Street, St Giles' in the Fields. His son Richard [aged 40] succeeded 4th Earl Rivers, 4th Viscount Colchester, 4th Viscount Savage, 4th Baron Darcy of Chiche, 5th Baronet Savage of Rocksavage in Cheshire.
On 18th August 1712 Richard Savage 4th Earl Rivers [aged 58] died. His first cousin John [aged 47] succeeded 5th Earl Rivers, 5th Viscount Colchester, 5th Viscount Savage, 5th Baron Darcy of Chiche, 6th Baronet Savage of Rocksavage in Cheshire.
On 9th May 1737 John Savage 5th Earl Rivers [aged 72] died unmarried since he was a Catholic priest. Earl Rivers, Viscount Colchester, Viscount Savage, Baron Darcy of Chiche and Baronet Savage of Rocksavage in Cheshire extinct.
Earl Rivers is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Created Countesses of England, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1641. Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers [aged 60] created.
9th March 1650. Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers extinct.
In 1641 Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers [aged 60] was created 1st Countess Rivers for life by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] since she had been passed over when her father's Earldom Countess Rivers passed from her father to her eldest son John Savage 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 37].
On 9th March 1650 Elizabeth Darcy 1st Countess Rivers [aged 69] died. Earl Rivers extinct since it was a created for life only.