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 de Montalt 1st Baron Montalt -1329

Maternal Family Tree: Mathilde Unknown Countess Évreux 1120-1169

Robert de Montalt 1st was born to [his father] Roger de Montalt and [his mother] Cicely D'Aubigny.

On 7th May 1243 [his uncle] Hugh D'Aubigny 5th Earl Lincoln 5th Earl of Arundel died at Canelli. He was buried at Wymondham Abbey, Norfolk [Map]. Earl Lincoln extinct. His nephew John (age 20) succeeded 6th Earl Arundel. [his mother] Cicely D'Aubigny (age 35) and her husband [his father] Roger de Montalt inherited Castle Rising Castle [Map].

Before 18th June 1260 [his father] Roger de Montalt and [his mother] Cicely D'Aubigny (age 52) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] William D'Aubigny 3rd Earl Lincoln 3rd Earl of Arundel and [his grandmother] Mabel Gernon Countess Lincoln and Arundel.

On 18th June 1260 [his mother] Cicely D'Aubigny (age 52) died. Roger de Montalt 1st Baron Montalt (age 22) inherited Castle Rising Castle [Map].

On 18th June 1260 [his father] Roger de Montalt died at Castle Rising Castle [Map].

In 1295 Roger de Montalt 1st Baron Montalt (age 57) was summoned to Parliament as 1st Baron Montalt.

Before 1297 Richard Fitzjohn and [his future wife] Emma m Fitzjohn and Montalt were married.

Before 1297 Roger de Montalt 1st Baron Montalt (age 58) and [his sister-in-law] Joan Mowbray (age 53) were married. They were first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1297 Roger de Montalt 1st Baron Montalt (age 59) died at Mold Castle, Flintshire [Map]. Baron Montalt extinct. His brother inherited Castle Rising Castle [Map]. His brother Robert de Montalt 1st was created Baron Montalt in 1299.

In or after 1297 Robert de Montalt 1st and Emma m Fitzjohn and Montalt were married. They had no issue.

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 1299 Robert de Montalt 1st summoned to Parliament as 1st Baron Montalt.

In 1327 Robert de Montalt 1st sold Castle Rising Castle [Map] to the Crown for 10,000 marks retaining a life-time lease for him and his wife Emma.

In 1329 Robert de Montalt 1st died. Baron Montalt extinct.