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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William Quiller Orchardson is in Painters.
On 27th March 1832 William Quiller Orchardson was born.
1859. William Quiller Orchardson [aged 26]. "Through the Corn".
1865. William Quiller Orchardson [aged 32]. Portrait of Mrs John Pettie, wife of John Pettie [aged 25].
In 1868 William Quiller Orchardson [aged 35] was elected Associate of the Royal Academy.
1873. William Quiller Orchardson [aged 40]. Portrait of [his future wife] Helen Moxon around the time of her marriage to the artist.
Helen Moxon: On 6th April 1873 William Quiller Orchardson and she were married.
On 6th April 1873 William Quiller Orchardson [aged 41] and Helen Moxon were married.
1874. William Quiller Orchardson [aged 41]. "The Chinese Cabinet".
1874. William Quiller Orchardson [aged 41]. "The Artist's Wife, [his wife] Ellen Moxon".
1874. William Quiller Orchardson [aged 41]. "Ophelia".
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1877 William Quiller Orchardson [aged 44] was elected Fellow of the Royal Academy.
On 13th April 1910 William Quiller Orchardson [aged 78] died.