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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From 1265 to 1269 Bishop Robert of Holy Island, a Benedictine monk, served as sacrist at Durham.
On 24th September 1274 Bishop Robert of Holy Island was elected Bishop of Durham.
On 9th December 1274 Bishop Robert of Holy Island was consecrated Bishop of Durham.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough. In the year of our Lord 1279, Walter Giffard [aged 54],1 Archbishop of York, died on the 22nd of April. He was succeeded by William de Wickwane2. In the second year of his archiepiscopate, wishing to visit his suffragan Robert of Holy Island, Bishop of Durham, and the chapter of Durham, he was repelled for they shut the city gates against him. Nevertheless, taking up his pontifical insignia, he preached in the city square, choosing as his sermon theme: "I have come down to see Judah and Jerusalem." After delivering his sermon, he pronounced a dreadful sentence of excommunication upon those who opposed him and placed the city under ecclesiastical interdict. But they treated all of this lightly, relying on a constitution of Pope Innocent IV concerning censuses and Roman exactions, and they appealed, claiming that he should not be admitted unless he had first visited his own chapter and diocese, which he had not done. For that constitution states: "We decree that any archbishop who wishes to visit his province must first take care to visit the chapter, city, and diocese of his own church." A year later, with the Bishop of Durham now dead, the archbishop returned again at the same time of year, around the [24th June 1280], intending another visitation. There, he suffered even greater injury than before, and after renewing the same dreadful sentence, he departed. From that time on, a lawsuit ensued in the Roman Curia at enormous expense.
Anno Domini MCCLXXIX obiit Walterus Giffard Eborum archiepiscopus X kalendas Maii. Cui successit Willelmus Wychewang. Hic in anno archiepiscopatus sui secundo suffraganeum suum Robertum de Insula Dunolmensem episcopum et capitulum Dunolmense visitare volens, passus est ibidem repulsam, clauserunt enim portas civitatis contra eum; ipse vero pontificali accepto prædicavit ibidem in platea civitatis, et assumpto themate, Descendi ut viderem Judæam et Jerusalem, et facto sermone in contradictores The bishopric sibi sententiam excommunicationis terribilem laid under fulminavit et locum eundem ecclesiastico supposuit interdicto. Ipsi vero parvipendebant omnia; fundaverant enim se super constitutionem Innocentii quarti de censibus et exactione Romana, et appellaverant, dicentes eum admitti non debere nisi proprium capitulum et dioecesim prius visitasset, quod non fecit. Dicit enim constitutio illa sic: Statuimus ut quilibet archiepiscopus, suam volens visitare provinciam, prius ecclesiæ suæ capitulum et civitatem ac dioecesim visitare procuret. Anno autem revoluto, et mortuo Dunolmensi episcopo, iterato et eodem tempore anni, scilicet circa festum Sancti Johannis Baptistæ, ibidem causa visitationis adveniens, majorem quam prius passus est injuriam, et renovata terribili sententia recessit et abiit: et extunc in Romana curia immensis sumptibus litigabant.
Note 1. The date of this archbishops death is assigned by Godwin to the 25th of April.
Note 2. MSS. Coll. Arm, and Cott. Tib. William Wickwane, Chancellor of York, was elected June 22, 1279, and consecrated at Rome on the 19th of September following.
On 7th June 1283 Bishop Robert of Holy Island died at Bishop Middleham,County Durham. He was buried in the CHapter House of Durham Cathedral [Map] on the 10th June 1283.
Annals of Dunstable. Likewise, the bishop of the church of Durham [Bishop Robert of Holy Island], who was a monk, died [7th June 1283]; and Anthony Bek [aged 38], who was then the most renowned clerk of the lord king, succeeded him.
Item episcopus Dunelmensis ecclesiæ obiit, qui fuit monachus; et successit ei Antonius Bech, qui fuit clericus domini regis tunc nominatissimus.