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: Elizabeth May Viscountess Campden 1562-1643
Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester educated at Christ Church College, Oxford University.
On 28th June 1648 Henry Seymour [aged 22] and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 17] were married at Little Hadham, Hertfordshire [Map]. He the son of William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 60] and Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset [aged 48]. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
Before 25th December 1660 [his father] Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 31] and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 30] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Edward Somerset 2nd Marquess Worcester [aged 58] and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Dormer. They were fourth cousins.
On 25th December 1660 Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester was born to [his father] Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 31] and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 30].
On 3rd April 1667 [his grandfather] Edward Somerset 2nd Marquess Worcester [aged 65] died. His son [his father] Henry [aged 38] succeeded 3rd Marquess Worcester, 7th Earl Worcester, 9th Baron Herbert of Raglan. [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 36] by marriage Marchioness Worcester.
On 12th December 1671 [his half-brother] William Seymour 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 17] died. His uncle John [aged 26] succeeded 4th Duke Somerset, 3rd Marquess Hertford, 4th Earl Hertford, 4th Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset. Sarah Alston Duchess Somerset [aged 29] by marriage Duchess Somerset.
In June 1673 Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester [aged 12] was appointed Fellow of the Royal Society.
On 31st August 1676 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Bruce 3rd Earl Elgin 2nd Earl Ailesbury [aged 20] and [his half-sister] Elizabeth Seymour Countess Elgin and Ailesbury [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of Henry Seymour and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 45]. He the son of Robert Bruce 2nd Earl Elgin 1st Earl Ailesbury [aged 50]. They were fourth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 6th June 1682 Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester [aged 21] and Rebecca Child Marchioness Worcester [aged 16] were married. He the son of Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 53] and Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 51].
On 2nd December 1682 [his father] Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 53] was created 1st Duke Beaufort by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 52]. [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 52] by marriage Duchess Beaufort.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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John Evelyn's Diary. 16th March 1683. I went to see [his father-in-law] Sir Josiah Child's [aged 52] prodigious cost in planting walnut trees about his seat, and making fish ponds, many miles in circuit, in Epping Forest, in a barren spot, as oftentimes these suddenly monied men for the most part seat themselves. He from a merchant's apprentice, and management of the East India Company's stock, being arrived to an estate (it is said) of £200,000; and lately married his [his wife] daughter [aged 17] to the eldest son [aged 22] of the Duke of Beaufort, late Marquis of Worcester, with £50,000 portional present, and various expectations.
On 2nd April 1684 [his son] Henry Somerset 2nd Duke Beaufort was born to Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester [aged 23] and [his wife] Rebecca Child Marchioness Worcester [aged 18] at Monmouth Castle [Map]. He married (1) 7th July 1702 his fourth cousin Mary Sackville 2nd Duchess Beaufort, daughter of Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex and Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex (2) 26th February 1706 his fourth cousin Rachel Noel Duchess Beaufort, daughter of Wriothesley Baptist Noel 2nd Earl Gainsborough and Catherine Greville Duchess Buckingham and Normandby, and had issue (3) 14th September 1711 his fourth cousin once removed Mary Osborne Duchess Beaufort, daughter of Peregrine Osborne 2nd Duke Leeds and Bridget Hyde Duchess Leeds.
In 1685 [his brother-in-law] James Butler 2nd Duke Ormonde [aged 19] and [his sister] Mary Somerset Duchess Ormonde [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of [his father] Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 56] and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 54]. He the son of Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory and Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory [aged 49].
On 20th October 1685 Robert Bruce 2nd Earl Elgin 1st Earl Ailesbury [aged 59] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Thomas [aged 29] succeeded 3rd Earl Elgin, 2nd Earl Ailesbury, 2nd Viscount Bruce of Ampthill in Bedfordshire, 3rd Baron Bruce of Whorlton in Yorkshire, 2nd Baron Bruce of Skelton in Yorkshire. [his half-sister] Elizabeth Seymour Countess Elgin and Ailesbury [aged 30] by marriage Countess Elgin, Countess Ailesbury.
On 24th June 1686 [his brother-in-law] Henry Horatio O'Brien and [his sister] Henrietta Somerset Countess Suffolk [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his father] Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 57] and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 55]. He the son of Henry O'Brien 7th Earl Thomond [aged 66] and Sarah Russell Countess Thomond [aged 48]. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 21st July 1688 James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde [aged 77] died. His grandson [his brother-in-law] James [aged 23] de jure 2nd Duke Ormonde, 2nd Marquess Ormonde, 13th Earl Ormonde, 6th Earl Ossory. [his sister] Mary Somerset Duchess Ormonde [aged 24] by marriage Duchess Ormonde.
On 27th August 1690 [his daughter] Henrietta Somerset Duchess Grafton was born to Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester [aged 29] and [his wife] Rebecca Child Marchioness Worcester [aged 24]. She married 30th April 1713 her half fifth cousin once removed Charles Fitzroy 2nd Duke Grafton, son of Henry Fitzroy 1st Duke Grafton and Isabella Bennet Duchess Grafton, and had issue.
In 1691 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Coventry 2nd Earl Coventry [aged 29] and [his sister] Anne Somerset Countess Coventry [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his father] Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 62] and [his mother] Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 60]. He the son of Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry [aged 62] and Winifred Edgecumbe [aged 54]. They were sixth cousins.
In 1697 [his half-sister] Elizabeth Seymour Countess Elgin and Ailesbury [aged 42] died.
On 13th July 1698 Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester [aged 37] died.
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.
On 17th July 1712 [his former wife] Rebecca Child Marchioness Worcester [aged 46] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward North 1st Baron North
Great x 3 Grandmother: Christina North Countess of Worcester
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Squier Baroness North
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 1st Marquess Worcester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Neville Baroness Montagu 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Edward Somerset 2nd Marquess Worcester 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Russell 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 
9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Waldegrave 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Russell Countess Worcester 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cooke of Gidea Hall
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Cooke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Saunders
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cooke 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Dormer of Wing 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Dormer
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Dormer 1st Baron Dormer
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Catesby of Whiston 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Catesby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Pigot
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Dormer 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Gage
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Baroness Dormer 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Dormer 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Molyneux 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Molyneux 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Radclyffe 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Molyneux 1st Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Molyneux 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Gerard of Astley
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Gerard
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holcroft
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Gerard Lady Molyneux
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ratclyffe
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Ratclyffe
Charles Somerset Marquess Worcester 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Capell 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Capell 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Arthur Capell 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Manners 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Capell 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Grey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Browne 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Gage
GrandFather: Arthur Capell 1st Baron Capell Hadham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Roper
Great x 1 Grandmother: Theodosia Montagu 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sidney 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
Mother: Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Morison of Hertfordshire 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Morrison
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Morrison 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hussey 1st Baron Hussey of Sleaford 
9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bridget Hussey Countess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Grey Baroness Hussey Sleaford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Morrison 1st Baronet 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Clerke
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothea Clerke
GrandMother: Elizabeth Morrison Baroness Capell Hadham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hicks
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Hicks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Baptist Hicks 1st Viscount Campden
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Hicks Lady Cooper and Morrison
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard May
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth May Viscountess Campden