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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Biography of Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy 1000-1035

Paternal Family Tree: Norman

Maternal Family Tree: Adele Vermandois Countess Anjou 934-982

In 1000 [his father] Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy (age 36) and [his mother] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy (age 18) were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Conan "Crooked" Penthièvre III Duke Brittany and [his grandmother] Ermengarde Gerberga Ingelger Duchess Brittany (age 44). He the son of [his grandfather] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and [his grandmother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu.

On 22nd June 1000 Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy was born to [his father] Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy (age 36) and [his mother] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy (age 18).

In 1016 [his brother-in-law] Reginald Ivrea I Count Burgundy (age 30) and [his sister] Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy (age 14) were married. She the daughter of [his father] Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy (age 52) and [his mother] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy (age 34). He the son of Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy (age 56) and Ermentrude Countess Burgundy.

In 1017 [his mother] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy (age 35) died.

Before 1019 [his father] Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy (age 55) and Poppa Envermeu Unknown Duchess Normandy were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. He the son of [his grandfather] Richard "Fearless" Normandy I Duke Normandy and [his grandmother] Gunnora Countess Ponthieu.

Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 1026. Ælfric, archbishop of York, went to Rome, and received the pallium from pope John. [his father] Richard II (age 62), duke of Normandy, died, and was succeeded by [his brother] Richard III (age 24), who, dying the same year, was succeeded by his brother Robert (age 25).

On 28th August 1026 [his father] Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy (age 63) died. His son [his brother] Richard (age 24) succeeded III Duke Normandy.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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On 21st September 1026 Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy (age 66) died. His son [his brother-in-law] Reginald (age 40) succeeded I Count Burgundy. [his sister] Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy (age 24) by marriage Countess Burgundy.

In January 1027 [his brother] Richard Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 25) and [his sister-in-law] Adela Capet Duchess Normandy (age 18) were married. She by marriage Duchess Normandy. She the daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks (age 54) and Constance Arles Queen Consort France (age 41). He the son of [his father] Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy and [his mother] Judith Penthièvre Duchess Normandy. They were second cousin once removed.

On 6th August 1027 [his brother] Richard Normandy III Duke Normandy (age 25) died. His brother Robert (age 27) succeeded I Duke Normandy.

Around 1028 [his illegitimate son] King William "Conqueror" I of England was born illegitimately to Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 27) and Herleva of Falaise at Falaise Castle, Falaise, Calvados, Basse Normandie. He married before 1051 his third cousin once removed Matilda Flanders Queen Consort England, daughter of Baldwin "The Good" V Count Flanders and Adela Capet Duchess Normandy, and had issue.

Around 1030 [his daughter] Adelaide Normandy Countess Troyes and Meaux Champagne Aumale Ponthieu was born to Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 29). She married (1) before 1049 her fourth cousin once removed Enguerrand II Count Ponthieu, son of Hugh II Count Ponthieu and Bertha Aumale Countess Aumale and Ponthieu, and had issue (2) before 1049 her fourth cousin once removed Odo Blois Count Troyes, Champagne and Aumale and 1st Earl Holderness, son of Stephen Blois II Count Troyes and Meaux and Adele Unknown, and had issue (3) after 25th October 1053 her fifth cousin Lambert Flanders II Count Lens, son of Eustace Flanders I Count Boulogne and Matilda Reginar Countess Boulogne, and had issue.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1031. This year returned King Knute (age 36); and as soon as he came to England he gave to Christ's church in Canterbury [Map] the haven of Sandwich, Kent [Map], and all the rights that arise therefrom, on either side of the haven; so that when the tide is highest and fullest, and there be a ship floating as near the land as possible, and there be a man standing upon the ship with a taper-axe in his hand, whithersoever the large taper-axe might be thrown out of the ship, throughout all that land the ministers of Christ's church should enjoy their rights. This year went King Knute to Rome; and the same year, as soon as he returned home, he went to Scotland; and Malcolm, king of the Scots (age 77), submitted to him, and became his man, with two other kings, Macbeth and Jehmar; but he held his allegiance a little while only. Robert, Earl of Normandy (age 30), went this year to Jerusalem [Map], where he died; and [his illegitimate son] William (age 3), who was afterwards King of England, succeeded to the earldom, though he was a child.

Death of Duke Robert II of Normandy

Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 1035. Robert, duke of Normandy (age 35), died, and was succeeded by his son [his illegitimate son] William the Bastard (age 7), then a minor.

On 2nd July 1035 Robert "Magnificent" Normandy I Duke Normandy (age 35) died at Nicaea. His son [his illegitimate son] William (age 7) succeeded II Duke Normandy.