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: Oxenden
In or before 1641 [his father] Henry Oxenden 1st Baronet (age 26) and [his mother] Elizabeth Meredith were married.
In October 1651 George Oxenden was born to [his father] Henry Oxenden 1st Baronet (age 37) and [his mother] Elizabeth Meredith.
In 1659 [his mother] Elizabeth Meredith died.
On 8th July 1667 George Oxenden (age 15) was admitted at Trinity Hall, Cambridge University as a scholar. He became a Fellow in 1671 and was awarded LLB in 1673, MA in 1675 and LLD in 1679.
On 6th May 1678 [his father] Henry Oxenden 1st Baronet (age 64) was created 1st Baronet Oxenden of Dene in Kent.
In 1684 George Oxenden (age 32) became Regius Professor of Civil Law at Cambridge.
In 1686 [his father] Henry Oxenden 1st Baronet (age 72) died. His son [his brother] James (age 44) succeeded 2nd Baronet Oxenden of Dene in Kent.
In 1689 George Oxenden (age 37) was appointed Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge University.
On 10th July 1690 [his son] Henry Oxenden 4th Baronet was born to George Oxenden (age 38) and [his wife] Elizabeth Dixwell. He married 27th July 1712 Anne Holloway Lady Oxenden.
10th July 1690 10th July 1690 George Oxenden (age 38) and Elizabeth Dixwell were married.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 26th October 1694 [his son] George Oxenden 5th Baronet was born to George Oxenden (age 43) and [his wife] Elizabeth Dixwell. He married May 1720 Elizabeth Dunch Lady Oxenden and had issue.
In 1695 George Oxenden (age 43) was elected MP Cambridge University which seat he held until 1698 when he stood unsuccessfully.
On 21st February 1703 George Oxenden (age 51) died.
GrandFather: James Oxenden of Deane
Father: Henry Oxenden 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Nevinson of Eastry in Kent
GrandMother: Margaret Nevinson
GrandFather: William Meredith 1st Baronet
Mother: Elizabeth Meredith
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Barker
GrandMother: Susannah Barker of London Lady Meredith