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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Paternal Family Tree: Carolingian
Charles "Bald" I King West Francia succeeded I King West Francia.
Charles "Bald" I King West Francia and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort West Francia. She the daughter of Odi Orléans 1st Count Orléans. He the son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks and Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks.
Charles "Bald" I King West Francia and Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort West Francia. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks and Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks.
Around 794 [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 16] and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of [his grandfather] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor [aged 51] and [his grandmother] Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
On 13th June 823 Charles "Bald" I King West Francia was born to [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 45] and [his mother] Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks [aged 26].
In or before 828 [his half-brother] Louis "German" II King East Francia [aged 23] and [his sister-in-law] Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort East Francia. He the son of [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 49] and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
On 13th December 838 [his half-brother] Pepin I King Aquitaine [aged 41] died. His son [his nephew] Pepin [aged 15] succeeded II King Aquitaine.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The same year, ere midwinter, died Charles, king of the Franks [aged 16]. He was slain by a boar; and one year before his [his half-brother] brother [aged 36] died, who had also the Western kingdom. They were both the sons of [his father] Louis [aged 62], who also had the Western kingdom, and died the same year that the sun was eclipsed. He was the son of that Charles whose daughter Ethelwulf, king of the West-Saxons, had to wife.
On 20th June 840 [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks [aged 62] died. His son [his half-brother] Pepin succeeded I King Aquitaine. [his sister-in-law] Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine.
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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In 843 [his mother] Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks [aged 46] died.
Around 844 [his daughter] Judith Carolingian Queen Consort Wessex was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 20] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia. She married (1) Baldwin "Iron Arm" I Margrave Flanders and had issue (2) 856 King Æthelwulf of Wessex (3) 858 King Æthelbald of Wessex, son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex.
On 1st November 846 [his son] Louis "Stammerer" II King Aquitaine III King West Francia was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 23] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia. He married (1) before 863 Ansgarde Burgundy Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort West Francia and had issue (2) February 875 Adelaide Paris Queen Consort Aquitaine and West Francia and had issue.
In 847 [his son] Charles "Child" III King Aquitaine was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 23] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
In 848 [his son] Lothar "Lame" Carolingian Abbot Saint Germain was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 24] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
In 849 [his son] Carloman Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 25] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
In 852 [his daughter] Rotrude Carolingian Abbess Saint Radegunde was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 28] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia. She married before 900 Roger Maine I Count Maine and had issue.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 854. This year the heathen men34 for the first time remained over winter in the Isle of Shepey [Map]. The same year [his future son-in-law] King Ethelwulf registered a TENTH of his land over all his kingdom for the honour of God and for his own everlasting salvation. The same year also he went to Rome with great pomp, and was resident there a twelvemonth. Then he returned homeward; and Charles, king of the Franks [aged 30], gave him his daughter, whose name was Judith [aged 10], to be his queen. After this he came to his people, and they were fain to receive him; but about two years after his residence among the Franks he died; and his body lies at Winchester. He reigned eighteen years and a half. And Ethelwulf was the son of Egbert, Egbert of Ealhmund, Ealhmund of Eafa, Eafa of Eoppa, Eoppa of Ingild; Ingild was the brother of Ina, king of the West-Saxons, who held that kingdom thirty-seven winters, and afterwards went to St. Peter, where he died. And they were the sons of Cenred, Cenred of Ceolwald, Ceolwald of Cutha, Cutha of Cuthwin, Cuthwin of Ceawlin, Ceawlin of Cynric, Cynric of Creoda, Creoda of Cerdic, Cerdic of Elesa, Elesa of Esla, Esla of Gewis, Gewis of Wig, Wig of Freawine, Freawine of Frithugar, Frithugar of Brond, Brond of Balday, Balday of Woden, Woden of Frithuwald, Frithuwald of Freawine, Freawine of Frithuwualf, Frithuwulf of Finn, Finn of Godwulf, Godwulf of Great, Great of Taetwa, Taetwa of Beaw, Beaw of Sceldwa, Sceldwa of Heremod, Heremod of Itermon, Itermon of Hathra, Hathra of Hwala, Hwala of Bedwig, Bedwig of Sceaf; that is, the son of Noah, who was born in Noah's ark: Laznech, Methusalem, Enoh, Jared, Malalahel, Cainion, Enos, Seth, Adam the first man, and our Father, that is, Christ. Amen. Then two sons of Ethelwulf succeeded to the kingdom; Ethelbald to Wessex, and Ethelbert to Kent, Essex, Surrey, and Sussex. Ethelbald reigned five years. Alfred [aged 5], his third son, Ethelwulf had sent to Rome; and when the pope heard say that he was dead, he consecrated Alfred king, and held him under spiritual hands, as his father Ethelwulf had desired, and for which purpose he had sent him thither.
Note 34. i.e. the Danes; or, as they are sometimes called, Northmen, which is a general term including all those numerous tribes that issued at different times from the north of Europe, whether Danes, Norwegians, Sweons, Jutes, or Goths, etc.; who were all in a state of paganism at this time.
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In 854 [his daughter] Ermentrud Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 30] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
Around 855 King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex [aged 6] visited the court of Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 31].
On 29th September 855 [his half-brother] Lothair Holy Roman Emperor [aged 60] died.
In 856 [his son-in-law] King Æthelwulf of Wessex and Judith Carolingian Queen Consort Wessex [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Wessex. She the daughter of Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 32] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia. He the son of King Egbert of Wessex.
Around 856 [his daughter] Hildegarde Carolingian died.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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In 856 [his daughter] Hildegarde Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 32] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia. She died aged less than one years old.
In 857 [his daughter] Gisela Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 33] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
Around 858 [his son-in-law] King Æthelbald of Wessex and Judith Carolingian Queen Consort Wessex [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Wessex. She the daughter of Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 34] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia. He the son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex.
Before 863 Louis "Stammerer" II King Aquitaine III King West Francia [aged 16] and Ansgarde Burgundy Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort West Francia were married in secret. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine, Queen Consort West Francia. He the son of Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 39] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
In 864 [his daughter] Godehilde Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 40] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
In 866 [his son] Lothar "Lame" Carolingian Abbot Saint Germain [aged 18] died.
In 866 [his son] Charles "Child" III King Aquitaine [aged 19] died.
Around 870 [his daughter] Judith Carolingian Queen Consort Wessex [aged 26] died.
In 872 [his son] Drogo Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 48] and Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia [aged 27]. He died aged one in 873.
In 873 [his son] Drogo Carolingian [aged 1] died.
In 873 [his son] Pippin Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 49] and Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia [aged 28]. He died aged one in 874.
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.
In 874 [his son] Pippin Carolingian [aged 1] died.
In 874 [his daughter] Gisela Carolingian [aged 17] died.
In 875 [his son] Son Carolingian died.
In 875 [his son] Son Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 51] and Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia [aged 30]. He died aged less than one years old.
In February 875 Louis "Stammerer" II King Aquitaine III King West Francia [aged 28] and Adelaide Paris Queen Consort Aquitaine and West Francia [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine, Queen Consort West Francia. He the son of Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 51] and Ermentrude Orléans Queen Consort West Francia.
In 876 [his son] Charles Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 52] and Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia [aged 31]. He died aged one in 877.
In 876 [his son] Carloman Carolingian [aged 27] died.
In 876 [his half-brother] Louis "German" II King East Francia [aged 72] died. His son [his nephew] Carloman [aged 47] succeeded King Bavaria.
In 877 [his son] Charles Carolingian [aged 1] died.
In 877 [his daughter] Ermentrud Carolingian [aged 23] died.
On 6th October 877 Charles "Bald" I King West Francia [aged 54] died.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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[his daughter] Rothilde Carolingian was born to Charles "Bald" I King West Francia and Richildis Bivinids Queen Consort West Francia.
[his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks and [his mother] Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of [his grandfather] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor and [his grandmother] Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
Kings Franks: Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Agnes de la Marck Queen Consort Navarre [12]
Isabella Burgundy Queen Consort Germany [1]
Judith Carolingian Queen Consort Wessex [1]
Louis "Stammerer" II King Aquitaine III King West Francia [1]
Charles "Child" III King Aquitaine [1]
King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England [1]
Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France [1]
Matilda Dammartin Queen Consort Portugal [1]
Blanche Capet Queen Navarre [1]
Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon [1]
Maria of Brabant Queen Consort France [2]
Henry Luxemburg VII Holy Roman Emperor [3]
Margaret of Burgundy Queen Consort France [1]
Joan of Burgundy Queen Consort France [3]
Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France [1]
Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France [3]
Philip "Noble" III King Navarre [1]
Joan Évreux Queen Consort France [1]
Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England [4]
Margaret Hainaut Holy Roman Empress [4]
King Robert II of Scotland [1]
Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg [2]
Blanche Dampierre Queen Consort Norway and Sweden [4]
Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France [1]
Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France [7]
Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile [7]
Martha Armagnac Queen Consort Aragon [1]
Yolande of Bar Queen Consort Aragon [5]
King Richard II of England [1]
Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [4]
Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland [4]
Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [8]
Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England [6]
Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland [12]
King Edward IV of England [13]
King Richard III of England [13]
Anne Neville Queen Consort England [19]
King Henry VII of England and Ireland [6]
Christina Queen Consort Denmark Norway and Sweden [1]
Bianca Maria Sforza Holy Roman Empress [9]
Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France [3]
Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile [24]
Germaine Foix Queen Consort Aragon [12]
Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre [25]
Queen Anne Boleyn of England [17]
Queen Jane Seymour [20]
Catherine Parr Queen Consort England [25]
Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England [22]
Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland [68]
Antoine King Navarre [45]
Catherine Medici Queen Consort France [6]
Queen Catherine Howard of England [14]
Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [11]
Jane Grey I Queen England and Ireland [32]
Louis VI Elector Palatine [12]
Louise Lorraine Queen Consort France [48]
King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [4]
Maximilian "The Great" Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria I Elector Bavaria [77]
Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress [77]
Marie de Medici Queen Consort France [11]
Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine [15]
Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [39]
George Wharton [209]
Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain [39]
Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress [42]
John George Wettin Elector Saxony [33]
Frederick William "Great Elector" Hohenzollern Elector Brandenburg [33]
Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia [77]
Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia [39]
Hedwig Eleonora Queen Consort Sweden [33]
Marie Françoise Élisabeth of Savoy Queen Consort of Portugal [88]
Charlotte Amalie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [33]
Mary of Modena Queen Consort England Scotland and Ireland [1]
Victor Amadeus King Sardinia [103]
Louise of Mecklenburg Güstrow Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [33]
Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain [66]
Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor [66]
Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor [66]
Francis I Holy Roman Emperor [49]
Adolph Frederick King Sweden [33]
Elisabeth Therese Lorraine Queen Consort Sardinia [49]
President George Washington [11]
King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [68]
Charlotte Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort England [35]
Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [68]
Marie Sophie Hesse-Kassel Queen Consort Denmark and Norway [99]
Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England [68]
Frederick William III King Prussia [33]
Frederica Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort Hanover [68]
Queen Fredrika Dorotea Vilhelmina [66]
King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark [103]
Frederick William IV King Prussia [68]
Caroline Amalie Oldenburg Queen Norway [2]
Frederick VII King of Denmark [171]
Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark [202]
King Christian IX of Denmark [102]
Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [136]
Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway [168]
Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia [375]
King Edward VII of the United Kingdom [375]
Maria Christina of Austria Queen Consort Spain [99]
Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [830]
Victoria Mary Teck Queen Consort England [198]
Frederick Charles I King Finland [202]
Constantine I King Greece [102]
Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark [273]
Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain [474]
Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden [573]
Ingrid Bernadotte Queen Consort Denmark [443]
Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh [675]
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [3373]
Sophia Glücksburg Queen Consort Spain [2]
Constantine II King Hellenes [2]
Carl XVI King Sweden [922]
Queen Consort Camilla Shand [1146]
Diana Spencer Princess Wales [10098]
Charles "Bald" I King West Francia
GrandFather: Welf
Mother: Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks
Great x 1 Grandfather: Isambart "The Saxon" Saxony
GrandMother: Hedwig Saxony