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: Douglas
Around 1300 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl was born to [his father] James Douglas of Hermiston and Lothian and [his mother] Joan at Liddlesdale.
Before 20th April 1323 [his father] James Douglas of Hermiston and Lothian died.
On 25th March 1333 the Battle of Dornock was fought between the supporters of the seven year old King David II of Scotland [aged 9], son of King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland, and the supporters of King Edward I of Scotland [aged 50], supported by the English, commanded by Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 43]. The English army quickly overwhelmed the Scottish force. William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 33] was captured and spent two years in prison.
In 1337 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 37] was captured at Hermitage Castle, Newcastleton.
In 1339 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 39] visited King Edward I of England at Château Gaillard [Map].
Before 1340 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 39] and Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl [aged 4] were married. The difference in their ages was 35 years.
Around 1340 [his daughter] Mary Douglas Countess Mar was born to William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 40] and [his wife] Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl [aged 5] at Liddlesdale. She married before 1366 Thomas Erskine 13th Earl of Mar.
In 1341 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 41] was captured at Edinburgh Castle [Map].
In July 1342 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 42] was created 1st Earl Atholl. [his wife] Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl [aged 7] by marriage Countess Atholl.
On 17th October 1346 at the Battle of Neville's Cross at [Map] the English inflicted a heavy defeat on the Scottish army that had invaded England in compliance with their treaty with the French for mutual support against England.
The English army included: William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 45], Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham [aged 34], Ralph Hastings [aged 55], Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 55], Archbishop William Zouche, Henry Percy 10th and 2nd Baron Percy [aged 45] and John Mowbray 3rd Baron Mowbray [aged 35].
Of the Scottish army King David II of Scotland [aged 22], John Graham Earl Menteith [aged 56] and William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 46] were captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map].
Neil Bruce, John Randolph 3rd Earl of Moray [aged 40], David Hay 6th Baron Erroll [aged 28] and Edward Keith of Sinton [aged 66] were killed.
After 17th October 1346 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 46] was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
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 1351 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 51] was released.
In August 1353 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 53] was killed by William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas [aged 30] at Ettrick Forest, Ettrick.
Before 1357 Hugh Dacre 4th Baron Dacre of Gilsland, Baron Multon of Gilsand [aged 21] and [his former wife] Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Baroness Dacre Gilsland.
On 1st January 1370 [his former wife] Elizabeth Maxwell Countess Atholl [aged 35] died at Naworth Castle [Map].
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. In the year of Christ 1348, the 22nd year of the king's reign, after the lord king had returned to England, David, King of the Scots, and Lord Charles of Blois were brought to the Tower of London,1 Charles having recently been captured in Brittany at Easter after great and perilous battles by Lord Thomas Dagworth. They both remained in England for many years awaiting ransom. Likewise, Lord James [William] Douglas,2 captured at the Battle of Durham and brought to London with the King of Scots, returned to the king's peace, having sworn him loyalty. But afterward, while peacefully returning to the border, William Douglas treacherously rode up behind him while he was out hunting and murdered him.
Anno Christi MCCCXLVIII, regis anno XXII, domino rege in Angliam reverse, adducti sunt ad turrim Londoniarum David rex Scotorum et dominus Karolus de Bloys, ad Pascha nuper in Britannia post magnos et periculosos conflictus per dominum Thomam Dagworthe captus; qui postea per multos annos manserunt in Anglia redimendi. Item, dominus lacobus Douglas, in bello Dunelmie captus, Londonias cum rege Scotorum adductus, rediit ad pacem regis, iurata sibi fidelitate; quem postea in marchiam pacifice reversum Willelmus Dowglas venacioni invitatum prodiciose equitans a tergo interfecit.
Note 1. David Bruce had been a prisoner in the Tower since the 1st January 1347. Rymer's Fœdera 3.99. Charles of Blois was captured at the battle of Roche-Derien, 20th June 1347.
Note 2. William Douglas, here wrongly called James, the knight of Liddesdale, made his peace with, and engaged to serve, Edward; and was set free on the 17th July 1352. Rymer's Fœdera 3.246. The next year he was murdered, when hunting in Ettrick Forest, by his kinsman William, afterwards earl Douglas.
[his father] James Douglas of Hermiston and Lothian and [his mother] Joan were married.
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Douglas 1st Lord Douglas
Great x 1 Grandfather: Archibald Douglas
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Kerdal
GrandFather: Andrew Douglas
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Crawford
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Crawford
William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl
Mother: Joan