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.
Paternal Family Tree: Anjou aka Plantagenet
Maternal Family Tree: Maud Saye 1155-1222
1361 Death of Henry of Grosmont
1361 Marriage of Edward "The Black Prince" and Joan "The Fair Maid of Kent"
1362 Edward III Creates two sons as Dukes
Around 1328 [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 18] and [her mother] Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 8] were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan [aged 49] and [her grandmother] Alice Comyn Baroness Beaumont. He the son of Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster [aged 47] and Maud Chaworth. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
On or before 25th March 1342 Blanche Duchess of Lancaster was born to Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 32] and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 22] at Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire [Map]. The exact date of her birth uncertain. The Inquisition of her father in May 1361 refers to Blanche being "aged 19 years at the feast of the Annunciation last". The Feast of the Annunciation being the 25th of March so Blanche was born on or before the 25th of March 1342. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
In 1344 [her brother-in-law] Ralph Stafford and [her sister] Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria [aged 3] were married. She the daughter of [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 34] and [her mother] Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 24]. He the son of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford [aged 42] and Margaret Audley Countess Stafford [aged 26]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 22nd September 1345 [her grandfather] Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster [aged 64] died at Leicester Castle [Map]. His son [her father] Henry [aged 35] succeeded 4th Earl of Leicester, 4th Earl Lancaster.
In 1351 [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 41] was created 1st Duke Lancaster by [her future father-in-law] King Edward III of England [aged 38]. [her mother] Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 31] by marriage Duchess Lancaster.
[her future brother-in-law] Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 12] was created 1st Earl of Ulster.
[her future husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 10] was created 1st Earl Richmond.
Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford [aged 49] was created 1st Earl Stafford.
In 1352 [her brother-in-law] William Wittelsbach I Duke Lower Bavaria [aged 21] and [her sister] Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria [aged 11] were married in London. She by marriage Duchess Lower Bavaria. He by marriage Earl of Leicester. She the daughter of [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 42] and [her mother] Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 32]. He the son of Louis Wittelsbach IV Holy Roman Emperor and Margaret Hainaut Holy Roman Empress [aged 40]. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 19th May 1359, or thereabouts, a double-royal wedding celebration took place at Reading Abbey, Berkshire [Map] whereby two children of King Edward III of England [aged 46] were married:
John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 19] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 49] and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 39]. He the son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England [aged 48]. They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke [aged 11] and Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Pembroke [aged 12] were married. At the time John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke was a ward of King Edward III of England who would enjoy the benefit of the substantial revenue of the Earldom of Pembroke until John came of age nine years later in 1368. She died two or so years later probably of plague. She the daughter of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England. He the son of Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke [aged 42]. They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England.
On 31st March 1360 [her daughter] Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 20] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 18] at Leicester Castle [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She married 2nd February 1387 her half fourth cousin King John I of Portugal, son of Peter I King Portugal and Inês Castro, and had issue.
On 13th April 1360 a freak weather event known as Black Monday Hailstorm occurred as the army of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England [aged 47] were camped outside Chartres [Map]. Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick [aged 47], William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 50], Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 50], Edward "Black Prince" [aged 29] and Walter Mauny were present. Around one thousand English were killed, with up to six thousand horses. King Edward III of England believed the event to be an Act of God and proceeded to negotiate with the French resulting in the Treaty of Brétigny.
On 28th April 1360 Guy Beauchamp died from injuries received during the Black Monday Hailstorm.
Inquisitions Post Mortem 118. Writ, 25 March, 35 Edward III. Derby. Inq. taken at Melbum, 4 May, 35 Edward III.
Melbum. The castle and manor (extent given), held of the king in chief by service of a barony. The following field and place names occiu- in the extent: — le Oxlesewe, le Heye, le Bencheparrok, Trentford, le Feldyngbrugge, Russhegrenes, le Hok by Littehnedewebrok, le Hallefeld, Carreweye, le Oldefisshepol, Shallohed and Hervestwellefield. A custom called ' thisteltak ' is payable at Michaelmas. The duke gave to Ingram Fauconer, constable of Melbum castle, a yearly rent of £10. for life, to Amice wife of the said Ingram 5 marks yearly for life, to be increased to 10 marks after her husband's death should she survive him, to John le Fauconer 5 marks for life, to Ahce late the wife of Thomas le Beek a pasture called ' Thomyholm ' for life, and to William le Synger of Weston a pasture called 'le Hassokes' with 'le Puttes' for life. There is a custom called 'tolpottes.'
He held no other lands in the county and no knights' fees or advowsons of churches.
He died on Tuesday before Easter last. His daughters [her sister] Maud [aged 20] lady of Henaud, aged 21 years on the feast of St. Ambrose last, and Blanche [aged 18], lady of Richmond, aged 19 years at the feast of the Annunciation last, are his heirs.
In 1361 [her mother] Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster [aged 41] died.
On 23rd March 1361 [her father] Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 51] died at Leicester Castle [Map]. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map]. Duke Lancaster, Earl Lincoln extinct.
Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 18] succeeded 5th Countess Lancaster and 2nd Countess Derby. [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 21] by marriage Earl Lancaster, Earl Derby.
[her sister] Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria [aged 20] succeeded 5th Countess of Leicester.
Inquisitions Post Mortem 118. Leicester. Inq. taken at Leycestre, Saturday after St. George, 35 Edward III.
Leycestre. The castle, manor and honor, held of the king in chief. The manor (extent given) includes £8 sterling from perquisites of 'portmonnesmot,' 106s. 8d. from perquisites of views of frankpledge of the town, 100s. from the assize of ale, 40s. from butchers' stalls, 10s. from rents of booths (seldarum) in the market, a watermill charged with 100s. yearly to Master Nicholas le Cok, a windmill, and a wood called 'le Frith.'
Hynkeleye. The manor (extent given), held of the king in chief as parcel of the above honor. The extent includes 4s from perquisites of halimotes and the reversion of a plot called the Castle and a carucate of land after the death of Joan Hastinges and John, her son. The manor is charged with a yearly rent of 10 marks to Richard de Schelton, knight, for life.
Schelton. The manor (extent given). The extent includes agistments in Tolou park and 3s. 4d. from perquisites of haUmotes. The manor is charged with lOZ. yearly for life to Peter de Melborne, 81. yearly for life to John Marreys, 40s. yearly for life to Nicholas Spicer, 30s. yearly for life to Robert Porter, 13s. 4rf. yearly for life to Hugh Cok, 13s. 4d. yearly for life to Richard Carters, and 100s. [yearly] for life to John de Claybroke.
Hynkeley. The manor is also charged with 10 marks yearly for life to John de Hastinges and 20s. yearly for life to Wilham de Stillinton.
Leyoestre. The manor is charged with 3Os. yearly for life to William Squiler, 30s. 5d. yearly for life to Beatrice, recluse there, 100s. yearly for life to Adam de Derby, 30s. yearly for life to Wilham Fauconer, 26s. 8d. yearly for life to John Knotting, 5 marks yearly for life to Wilham de Isham, clerk, 40s. yearly for life to John Hastinges, 91. [yearly] for ever to the prior of Ware, £7. 19s. 1½d. yearly to the brethren of the hospital of St. Leonard and their successors, 6L [yearly] to the abbot of Leycestre and his successors, 10s. yearly to the canons of St. Mary de Castro, 10s. yearly for ever to the master and brethren of Burton Lazars, 10s. yearly for ever to the nuns of Wroxale, 6s. 8d. [yearly] to the prior of Oselescroft, and 101s. 8d, yearly to the abbess of Preaux (de Pratellis) in Normandy.
Schelton. The manor is also charged with 62s. 2d. yearly to Walter de Legh for life.
Dersford. The manor (extent given). The extent includes 3s. from perquisites of halimotes, 10s. from herbage of a garden and of 'les Leyes' called 'le Grete,' and 30s. from the farm of a watermiU. The manor is charged with 100s. yearly to John Haward, receiver, for life, 20s. yearly to Simon del Halle for life, 305. yearly to Richard de Cravene for life, and 5 marks yearly to Walter de Irland for life.
There are in the county four views of frankpledge in the baihwick of Selby, four in that of Carleton, and two in that of Schulton. There are also two views yearly at Dersford, and two at Hynkeley. Of all these the duke died seised.
He died on Tuesday before the Annunciation last. [her sister] Maud [aged 20] and Blanche [aged 18] his daughters, aged respectively 22 years and more and 19 years and more, are his heirs.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
On 10th October 1361 [her brother-in-law] Edward "Black Prince" [aged 31] and Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales [aged 33] were married at Windsor Castle [Map]. She by marriage Princess of Wales. His first wife, her second (or third depending on how you count them) husband. She had four children already. They had known each other since childhood. Thirty-one and thirty-three respectively. A curious choice for the heir to the throne; foreign princesses were usual. They were married nearly fifteen years and had two children. She the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent and Margaret Wake Countess Kent. He the son of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England [aged 48] and [her mother-in-law] Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England [aged 51]. They were half first cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
In 1362 [her son] John Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 21] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 19]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England. He died aged three in 1365.
On 10th April 1362 Maud Plantagenet Duchess Lower Bavaria [aged 22] died. Her sister Blanche [aged 20] succeeded 6th Countess of Leicester. John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 22] by marriage Earl of Leicester adding a fourth Earldom to the ones he already held: Earl Richmond, Earl Lancaster and Earl Derby.
On 13th November 1362, his fiftieth birthday, [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England [aged 50] created two sons as Dukes...
[her brother-in-law] Lionel of Antwerp 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 23] was created 1st Duke Clarence. Elizabeth Burgh Duchess of Clarence [aged 30] by marriage Duchess Clarence.
[her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 22] was created 1st Duke Lancaster. Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 20] by marriage Duchess Lancaster.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 21st February 1363 [her daughter] Elizabeth Lancaster Duchess Exeter was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 22] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 20] at Burford, Shropshire [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She married (1) 24th June 1380 her half third cousin John Hastings 3rd Earl Pembroke, son of John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke and Anne Manny Countess Pembroke (2) 24th June 1386 her half second cousin once removed John Holland 1st Duke Exeter, son of Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent and Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales, and had issue (3) 1400 her fourth cousin once removed John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke and had issue.
On 28th May 1363 John Harrington 2nd Baron Harington [aged 35] died at Gleaston Castle [Map]. His son Robert [aged 7] succeeded 3rd Baron Harington. Given his young age Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington became a ward of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England [aged 50] who granted his wardship to his daughter [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons [aged 30] and her husband Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons [aged 23].
In 1365 [her son] Edward Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 24] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 22]. In 1365 Edward Lancaster died. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1365 [her son] John Lancaster [aged 3] died. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map].
On 27th July 1365 Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons [aged 25] and [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons [aged 33] were married at Windsor Castle [Map]. She the daughter of [her father-in-law] King Edward III of England [aged 52] and [her mother-in-law] Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England [aged 55]. They were fourth cousin once removed.
In 1366 Enguerrand de Coucy 1st Earl Bedford 1st Count Soissons [aged 26] was created 1st Earl Bedford. [her sister-in-law] Isabella Countess Bedford and Soissons [aged 33] by marriage Countess Bedford.
In 1366 [her son] John Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 25] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 23]. In 1367 John Lancaster died. He was buried at Church of the Annunciation of our Lady of the Newark [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 3rd April 1367 the forces of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile [aged 32] commanded by [her brother-in-law] Edward "Black Prince" [aged 36] defeated the army of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile [aged 33] at the Battle of Nájera at Nájera [Map]. The English forces included [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 27], William Scrope, Peter Courtenay [aged 21], John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux [aged 30], John Savile of Shelley and Golcar [aged 42], Bernard Brocas [aged 37] and Thomas Banastre [aged 33].
The forces of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile included Bertrand Geusclin [aged 47]. The battle achieved little since Bertrand Geusclin escaped.
John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 36] was killed. His son Robert [aged 9] succeeded 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Margaret Despencer Baroness Ferrers of Chartley by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.
Edward "Black Prince" thereafter returned home, taking Peter's daughters Constance [aged 13] and Isabella [aged 12] as hostages to ensure Peter would pay the money owed to Edward. Constance married John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, Isabella married Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York [aged 25].
On 15th April 1367 [her son] King Henry IV of England was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 27] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 25] at Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire [Map]. He a grandson of King Edward III of England. He married (1) 5th February 1381 his second cousin Mary Bohun, daughter of Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton and Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton, and had issue (2) 7th February 1403 his third cousin Joanna of Navarre Queen Consort England, daughter of Charles "Bad" II King Navarre and Joan Valois Queen Consort Navarre.
In 1368 [her daughter] Isabel Lancaster was born to [her husband] John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 27] and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster [aged 25]. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She died aged less than one years old.
| Je te pri; nomme nous au mains | I beg you; at least name for us |
| Les seignours que tu as véus | The lords you have known |
| Et dont tu as les biens éus | And from whom you have received good things, |
| Si prenderont leurs hoirs exemple. | So that their heirs may take example." |
| — Volontiers ! Premiers vous exemple | — "Willingly! First, take as an example |
| La bonne, qui pourist en terre, | The good lady, who now rests in the earth, |
| Qui fu royne d'Engleterre; | Who was Queen of England; |
| Phelippe ot nom la noble dame. | The noble lady was named Philippa. |
| Propisces li soit Diex à l'âme! | May God be gracious to her soul!" |
| J'en sui bien tenus de pryer | I am indeed bound to pray |
| Et ses largheces escryer, | And proclaim her generosity, |
| Car elle me fist et créa; | For she made and created me; |
| Ne onques voir ne s'effréa, | Nor did she ever truly shy away, |
| Ne ne fu son coer saoulés | Nor was her heart ever sated |
| De donner le sien à tous lés. | From giving her all in every way. |
| Aussi sa fille de Lancastre. | So, too, her daughter of Lancaster [aged 25]. |
| Haro! mettés moi une emplastre | Alas! Apply a balm to my heart, |
| Sus le coer, car, quant m'en souvient, | For, when I remember it, |
| Certes souspirer me convient | Surely I must sigh, |
| Tant sui plains de melancolie! | So full of melancholy am I! |
| Elle morut jone et jolie | She died young and fair, |
| Environ de vingt-et-deux ans, | Around the age of twenty-two, |
| Gaie, lie, friche, esbatans, | Merry, joyful, carefree, playful, |
| Douce, simple, d'humble samblance. | Sweet, simple, of humble appearance. |
| La bonne dame ot à nom Blanche. | The good lady was named Blanche. |
| J'ai trop perdu en ces deux dames; | I have lost too much in these two ladies; |
| J'en tors mes poins, j'en bac mes palmes. | I wring my hands, I beat my palms. |
| Encor ot la noble Royne | The noble Queen had also |
| Une fille de bonne orine | Another daughter of good lineage, |
| Ysabiel, et de Couci dame. | Isabel, and lady of Couci. |
