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: Wyntoun aka Seton
In 1555 Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline was born to [his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton [aged 24] and [his mother] Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton.
Before 19th September 1581. Frans Pourbus the Elder [aged 36]. Portrait of [his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton [aged 50] and his children [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton [aged 28], John Seton, Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 26], and Margaret Seton Lady Paisley [aged 24].
John Seton: he was born to George Seton 7th Lord Seton and Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton.
Margaret Seton Lady Paisley: Around 1557 she was born to George Seton 7th Lord Seton and Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton. After 16th June 1574 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley and she were married. He the son of James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran and Margaret Douglas Duchess Châtellerault. They were third cousin once removed. In 1587 Claud Hamilton 1st Lord Paisley was created 1st Lord Paisley. She by marriage Lord Paisley. In 1616 Margaret Seton Lady Paisley died.
In 1582 [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton [aged 29] and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Montgomerie Countess Winton were married. She the daughter of Hugh Montgomerie 3rd Earl Eglinton [aged 51] and Agnes Drummond Countess Eglinton [aged 59]. They were second cousins.
In 1586 [his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton [aged 55] died.
Before 1st July 1592 Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 37] and Lillas Drummond were married.
Around 1593 [his daughter] Anne Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 38] and [his wife] Lillas Drummond. She married her fourth cousin once removed Alexander Erskine, son of Thomas Erskine 1st Earl Kellie and Ann Ogilvy, and had issue.
On 16th November 1600 [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton [aged 47] was created 1st Earl Winton at Holyrood House, Holyrood. [his sister-in-law] Margaret Montgomerie Countess Winton by marriage Countess Winton.
On 8th May 1601 [his wife] Lillas Drummond died without issue.
After 27th October 1601 Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 46] and Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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In 1602 [his daughter] Lilias Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 47] and [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline.
On the 22nd or 24th March 1603 [his brother] Robert Seton 1st Earl Winton [aged 50] died. His son [his nephew] Robert [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Winton.
On 15th August 1604 and 16th August 1604 Prince Charles [aged 3] and Alexander Seton [aged 49] lodged at the Leicester townhouse of William Skipwith [aged 40] on their way to London.
In 1605 Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 50] was created 1st Earl Dunfermline. [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline by marriage Countess Dunfermline.
Around 1606 [his daughter] Jean Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 51] and [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline. She married 5th April 1624 her third cousin John Hay 1st Earl Tweeddale and had issue.
On 6th September 1606 [his wife] Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline died.
After 15th November 1607 Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 52] and Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline were married. She by marriage Countess Dunfermline. They were second cousin once removed.
In 1609 [his daughter] Grizel Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 54] and [his wife] Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline.
In 1611 [his daughter] Mary Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 56] and [his wife] Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline.
On 16th February 1612 [his son-in-law] David Lindsay 1st Lord Balcarres [aged 24] and Sophia Seton were married. She the daughter of Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 57] and Lillas Drummond.
In November 1615 [his son] Charles Seton 2nd Earl Dunfermline was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 60] and [his wife] Margaret Hay Countess Dunfermline. He married his fourth cousin Mary Douglas Countess Dunfermline, daughter of William Douglas 7th Earl Morton and Anne Keith Countess Morton, and had issue.
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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On 16th June 1622 Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline [aged 67] died. His son Charles [aged 6] succeeded 2nd Earl Dunfermline.
[his daughter] Sophia Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline and Lillas Drummond. She married 16th February 1612 David Lindsay 1st Lord Balcarres and had issue.
[his father] George Seton 7th Lord Seton and [his mother] Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.
[his daughter] Margaret Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline and Lillas Drummond.
[his daughter] Isobel Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline and Lillas Drummond.
[his son] Charles Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline and Grizel Leslie Countess Dunfermline.
[his daughter] Margaret Seton was born to Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline and Lillas Drummond.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Seton 3rd Lord Seton 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Seton Master of Seton 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stewart 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Seton 4th Lord Seton 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Seton 5th Lord Seton 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Campbell Lady Seton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Lord Lorn 
6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: George Seton 6th Lord Seton 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Hepburn
Great x 3 Grandfather: Adam Hepburn 1st Lord Hailes
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ellen Wallace
Great x 2 Grandfather: Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Home 1st Lord Home
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Home Lady Hailes
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joanna Hepburn Lady Seton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Douglas 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Douglas 1st Earl Morton 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gifford
Great x 2 Grandmother: Janet Douglas Countess Bothwell 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King James I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Stewart Countess Morton 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: George Seton 7th Lord Seton 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: David Hay of Yester 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hay 1st Lord Hay of Yester 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Douglas Lady Seton 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Hay 2nd Lord Hay of Yester 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cunningham of Belton
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Hay 3rd Lord Hay 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Crichton 1st Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Crichton 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Christian Erskine 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Crichton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Lennox 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marion Stewart 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Montgomerie Countess Lennox
GrandMother: Elizabeth Hay Lady Seton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Douglas 4th Earl Angus 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Archibald "Bell the Cat" Douglas 5th Earl Angus 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Sibbald Countess Angus
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Douglas 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Boyd 1st Lord Boyd
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Boyd Countess Angus
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Douglas Lady Hay 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Drummond 1st Lord Drummond
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drummond m Douglas
Alexander Seton 1st Earl Dunfermline 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Hamilton of Sandquhar
GrandFather: William Hamilton 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gilbert Kennedy 1st Lord Kennedy 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Kennedy 2nd Lord Kennedy 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Maxwell Lady Kennedy 
Great x 2 Grandfather: David Kennedy 1st Earl Cassilis 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Montgomerie 1st Lord Montgomerie
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montgomerie
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Boyd
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Kennedy 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Mother: Isobel Hamilton Lady Seton 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England