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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Chronicle of Greyfriars 1538

Chronicle of Greyfriars 1538 is in Chronicle of Greyfriars.

25th February 1538. Also this yere the 25th day of February [1538] was drawn from the Tower to Tyburn, Henry Hartford gentleman and Thomas Hever merchant, and there hanged and quartered for treason.

Also this year was made an Act of Parliament that no lord, knight, squire, gentleman, nor yeoman serving-man should disobey any offecer, constable, baliff, or any officer within the city of London as sargeant or yeoman, for to draw any weapon to any man, upon pain of death, or casting of any foyne [?].

22nd May 1538. Also this same yaer the 22nd day of May was burned in Smithfield friar John Forrest of Greenwich, and a rode that came out of Wales called Delvergaddar.

Note 1. The shrine of Darvel Gadarn was at Llandervel, co. Merioneth. On the destruction of the image see Wright's Letters on the Suppression of Monasteries, pp. 189, 208; Ellis's Letters, Third Series, letter 330; Ellis's Brand, vol. i. p. 202, edit. 1841.

7th August 1538. Also the 7th day of August was put to death Willyam Conysby gentleman.

Note 1. Stowe says, Edmond Conesby one of the grooms of the king's chamber for counter-feiting the king's seal manual.

2nd September 1538. And the 2nd day of September was put to death master Clefforde.

Note 1. Edward Clifford gentleman for counterfeiting the king's privy signet.—Stowe.

3rd September 1538. And the first Sunday of September was hanged at Clerkenwell at the wrestling place the hangman that was before, and two with him, for stealing in Bartholemew Fair.

22nd November 1538. This year the 22nd day of November was one Lambert, otherwise called Nicolas, was burned in Smithfield for great heresy.

And the 29th of November was burned in Smithfield John Mattessey a Dutchman, Peter Franke and his wife, for heresy.

Exeter Conspiracy

9th December 1538. And this yere in December was beheddyd at the Towre-hyll lorde Henry markes of Exceter (age 42), lorde Henry Montegew (age 46), and sir Edward Nevelle (age 67).

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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November 1538. Also this year were all the places of religion within the city of London suppressed in November.

23rd December 1538. Also this year the 23rd day of December was burned in Smithfield Richard Turner weaver, and Peter Florens butcher.