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: Champion aka Champion de Crespigny
On 22nd August 1843 [his father] Claude Champion de Crespigny 3rd Baronet [aged 25] and [his mother] Mary Tyrell Lady Champion de Crespigny [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Lady Champion de Crespigny of Champion Lodge in Surrey.
On 20th April 1847 Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet was born to [his father] Claude Champion de Crespigny 3rd Baronet [aged 28] and [his mother] Mary Tyrell Lady Champion de Crespigny [aged 24].
On 11th August 1868 [his father] Claude Champion de Crespigny 3rd Baronet [aged 50] died. His son Claude [aged 21] succeeded 4th Baronet Champion de Crespigny of Champion Lodge in Surrey.
Before 11th September 1873 Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet [aged 26] and Louisa Margaret McKerrall were married.
On 11th September 1873 [his son] Claude Champion de Crespigny was born to Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet [aged 26] and [his wife] Louisa Margaret McKerrall.
On 11th January 1876 [his mother] Mary Tyrell Lady Champion de Crespigny [aged 53] died.
In 1878 [his son] Claude Raul Champion de Crespigny 5th Baronet was born to Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet [aged 30].
On 26th May 1883 [his daughter] Valerie Champion Crespigny Lady Smiley was born to Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet [aged 36]. She married in or before 1905 John Smiley 2nd Baronet, son of Hugh Houston Smiley 1st Baronet, and had issue.
On 18th May 1885, James Manson alias Lee was hanged at Chelmsford Prison (then known as Springfield Gaol) for the murder of Inspector Simmons of Essex County Constabulary at Romford on 20 January. Those present included the Sheriff's Marshall, Mr D. Powell; Mr Walter Gepp, taking the place of his brother Charles, the Under Sheriff, who had sprained his ankle; and Messrs F. Smee and D. Thompson from the Under-Sheriff's office. The High Sheriff himself (J. F. Lescher of Hutton Park, Brentwood) was not present, although he had been at the prison earlier; but Sir Claude Champion de Crespigny [aged 38], with no official function and for no obvious reason, walked in the procession from the condemned cell to the scaffold (Essex Standard, 23 May 1885, p. 8). Sir Claude later claimed that he had been there in his capacity as a magistrate, although no one had actually required his presence.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In or before 1905 [his son-in-law] John Smiley 2nd Baronet [aged 28] and [his daughter] Valerie Champion Crespigny Lady Smiley [aged 21] were married.
On 18th May 1910 [his son] Claude Champion de Crespigny [aged 36] committed suicide. He was found dead by the roadside at King's Cliffe in Northamptonshire. The physician and coroner concluded that a temporary madness may have been caused by influenza and repeated heavy falls whilst playing polo.
In 1914 Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet [aged 66] was fined £20 for striking a Police Constable at the Bungay Races where he, Claude, was acting as Steward.
On 26th June 1935 Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet [aged 88] died. His son Claude [aged 57] succeeded 5th Baronet Champion de Crespigny of Champion Lodge in Surrey.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 27 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 22 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 31 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 29 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Champion
Great x 2 Grandfather: Claude Champion de Crespgny 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Champion de Crespigny 2nd Baronet
GrandFather: Augustus James Champion de Crespigny 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Other Windsor 2nd Earl Plymouth 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Other Windsor 3rd Earl Plymouth 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Whitley 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Other Lewis Windsor 4th Earl Plymouth 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sarah Windsor Lady Champion de Crespigny 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Archer 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Archer 1st Baron Archer 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Dashwood 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Archer Countess Plymouth 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Tipping 1st Baronet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Tipping Baroness Archer 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Cheke 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: Claude Champion de Crespigny 3rd Baronet 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Claude Champion de Crespigny 4th Baronet 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tyrrell of Billericay 
13 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Tyrrell 14 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Tyrrell 15 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Tyrell 1st Baronet 16 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: John Tyssen Tyrell 2nd Baronet 17 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Tyssen of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sarah Tyssen
Mother: Mary Tyrell Lady Champion de Crespigny 18 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lyon Pilkington 3rd Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lyon Pilkington 4th Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Michael Pilkington 6th Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Pilkington 7th Baronet
GrandMother: Elizabeth Ann Pilkington
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Tufnel
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Anne Tufnel Lady Pilkington