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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In 1719 Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot was born to [her father] Adam Cardonnel.
On 21st February 1733 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 22] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 14] were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square.
In July 1735 [her daughter] Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor was born to [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 25] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 16]. She married 16th August 1756 George Rice and had issue.
On 14th February 1737 [her father-in-law] Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 52] died at Lincoln's Inn Fields. His son [her husband] William [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire. Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 18] by marriage Baroness Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
Before 23rd December 1739 John Vanderbank [aged 45]. Portrait of Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 20].
1742. Allan Ramsay [aged 28]. Portrait of Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 23].
In March 1743 Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort [aged 35] and Frances Scudamore 3rd Duchess Beaufort [aged 32] were divorced. He sued [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 32], with whom his wife was having an affair, for damages.
On 16th August 1756 [her son-in-law] George Rice and Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 46] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 37].
On 29th March 1761 [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 50] was created 1st Earl Talbot. Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 42] by marriage Countess Talbot.
On 17th October 1780 [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 70] was created 1st Baron Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire. Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 61] by marriage Baroness Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire.
On 27th April 1782 [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 71] died at Lincoln's Inn. Earl Talbot extinct. His daughter Cecil [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baroness Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire. His nephew John [aged 33] succeeded 3rd Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
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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1787. Joseph Nollekens [aged 49]. Design for monument to Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 68] at St Mary Church, Great Barrington.
On 5th April 1787 Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 68] died.