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: Mansel
In or before 1588 [his father] Francis Mansel 1st Baronet (age 30) and [his mother] Catherine Morgan were married.
Around 1588 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] Francis Mansel 1st Baronet (age 30) and [his mother] Catherine Morgan.
After 1588 [his father] Francis Mansel 1st Baronet (age 31) and [his step-mother] Dorothy Stepney were married.
On 15th May 1601 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 13) was awarded BA by Oriel College, Oxford University.
On 22nd May 1601 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 13) matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford University.
In 1605 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 17) was admitted to Lincoln's Inn.
On 14th January 1622 [his father] Francis Mansel 1st Baronet (age 65) was created 1st Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe.
On or after 2nd August 1623 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 35) and Elizabeth aka Mary Fotherby (age 9) were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years.
Before 2nd December 1628 [his father] Francis Mansel 1st Baronet (age 71) died. His will was adminstered on 2nd December 1628. His son Walter (age 40) succeeded 2nd Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe.
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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On or before 12th April 1640 Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet (age 52) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Kidwelly on 12th April 1640. His son Francis succeeded 3rd Baronet Mansel of Muddlescombe.
On 11th September 1643 [his former wife] Elizabeth aka Mary Fotherby (age 29) died. She was buried on 20th September 1643 at Canterbury Cathedral [Map].
[his son] Francis Mansel 3rd Baronet was born to Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth aka Mary Fotherby.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 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 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Edward Mansel of Margam 
Father: Francis Mansel 1st Baronet 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset 
Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Hill of Shilston
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Hill
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Champernoun
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandMother: Jane Somerset 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Browne 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzalan 
4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Fitzalan 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Moyns
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu 
2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Lucy Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Ingaldsthorpe
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Ingaldsthorpe 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Tiptoft 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Walter Mansel 2nd Baronet 7 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Henry Morgan of Muddlesoombe, Carmarthenshire
Mother: Catherine Morgan