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: Churchill
Maternal Family Tree: Susanna Temple 1600-1669
On 1st October 1678 [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 28] and [her mother] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 18] were married.
On 19th July 1681 Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough was born to [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 31] and [her mother] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 21].
On 14th May 1685 [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 34] was created 1st Baron Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire.
On 9th April 1689 [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 38] was created 1st Earl of Marlborough.
In March 1698 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 19] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 16] were married. She the daughter of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 47] and Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 37]. He the son of Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 52] and Margaret Blagge.
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th June 1698. I went to congratulate the marriage of [her husband] Mr. Godolphin [aged 19] with the [her father] Earl of Marlborough's [aged 48] daughter [aged 16].
In 1700 [her son] William Godolphin was born to [her husband] Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 21] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 18]. He married 25th April 1729 Catherina de Jong Jong.
Around 1700 [her son] Henry Godolphin was born to [her husband] Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 21] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 18].
Before 2nd December 1700 [her brother-in-law] Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland [aged 25] and [her sister] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 50] and [her mother] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 40]. He the son of Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland [aged 59] and Anne Digby Countess Sunderland [aged 54].
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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In 1701 [her daughter] Henrietta Godolphin Duchess Newcastle under Lyne was born to [her husband] Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 22] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 19]. She married 2nd April 1717 Thomas Pelham Holles 1st Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne, son of Thomas Pelham 1st Baron Pelham of Laughton and Grace Holles.
On 28th September 1702 Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland [aged 61] died at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map]. His son [her brother-in-law] Charles [aged 27] succeeded 3rd Earl of Sunderland, 5th Baron Spencer Wormleighton. [her sister] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland [aged 19] by marriage Countess of Sunderland.
In December 1702 [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 52] was created 1st Duke Marlborough, 1st Marquess of Blandford. [her mother] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 42] by marriage Duchess Marlborough.
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st December 1702. After the excess of honor conferred by the Queen [aged 37] on the [her father] Earl of Marlborough [aged 52], by making him a Knight of the Garter and a Duke, for the success of but one campaign, that he should desire £5,000 a year to be settled on him by Parliament out of the Post Office, was thought a bold and unadvised request, as he had, besides his own considerable estate, above £30,000 a year in places and employments, with £50,000 at interest. He had married one daughter [aged 21] to the [her husband] son [aged 24] of my [her father-in-law] Lord Treasurer Godolphin [aged 57], [her sister] another [aged 19] to the [her brother-in-law] Earl of Sunderland [aged 27], and a third [aged 15] to the Earl of Bridgewater [aged 21]. He is a very handsome person, well-spoken and affable, and supports his want of acquired knowledge by keeping good company.
Around 1703 [her daughter] Margaret Godolphin was born to [her husband] Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 24] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 21].
On 9th February 1703 [her brother-in-law] Scroop Egerton 1st Duke Bridgewater [aged 21] and [her sister] Elizabeth Churchill Countess Bridgewater [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Bridgewater. She the daughter of [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 52] and [her mother] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 42]. He the son of John Egerton 3rd Earl Bridgewater and Jane Paulet Countess Bridgewater [aged 47].
In 1705 [her brother-in-law] John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu [aged 15] and [her sister] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu [aged 15] were married. She the daughter of [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 54] and [her mother] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 44]. He the son of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu [aged 66] and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland. They were third cousins.
On 9th March 1709 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu [aged 70] died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [her brother-in-law] John [aged 19] succeeded 2nd Duke Montagu, 4th Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. [her sister] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu [aged 19] by marriage Duchess Montagu.
On 15th September 1712 [her father-in-law] Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 67] died. His son [her husband] Francis [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Earl Godolphin, 2nd Viscount Rialton, 2nd Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall. Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 31] by marriage Countess Godolphin.
On 22nd March 1714 [her sister] Elizabeth Churchill Countess Bridgewater [aged 27] died. She was buried at St Peter and St Paul Church, Little Gaddesden on 29th March 1714.
On 15th April 1716 [her sister] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland [aged 33] died.
On 2nd April 1717 [her son-in-law] Thomas Pelham Holles 1st Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne [aged 23] and Henrietta Godolphin Duchess Newcastle under Lyne [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Duchess Newcastle under Lyme. She the daughter of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 38] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 35].
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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On 16th June 1722 [her father] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 72] died at Cranbourne Lodge, Windsor. His daughter Henrietta [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Duchess Marlborough, 2nd Marchioness of Blandford, 2nd Countess of Marlborough, 2nd Baroness Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire. [her husband] Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 43] by marriage Duke Marlborough.
On 25th April 1729 William Godolphin [aged 29] and Catherina de Jong Jong were married. He the son of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 50] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 47].
On 24th August 1731 [her son] William Godolphin [aged 31] died at Balliol College, Oxford University.
On 24th October 1733 Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 52] died. Her nephew Charles [aged 26] succeeded 3rd Duke Marlborough, 3rd Marquess of Blandford, 3rd Earl of Marlborough, 3rd Baron Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth Trevor Duchess of Marlborough [aged 20] by marriage Duchess Marlborough.
On 17th January 1766 [her former husband] Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 87] died. Earl Godolphin, Viscount Rialton, Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall extinct. His first cousin Francis [aged 59] succeeded 2nd Baron Godolphin of Helston in Cornwall.
[her daughter] Mary Godolphin Duchess Leeds was born to Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough. She married 26th June 1740 Thomas Osborne 4th Duke Leeds, son of Peregrine Osborne 3rd Duke Leeds and Elizabeth Harley, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 29 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 27 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Winston Churchill 
Father: John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "The Elder" Drake
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bernard Drake
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Drake
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Drake
GrandMother: Elizabeth Drake 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Boteler 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Boteler 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Griselda Roche
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Boteler 1st Baron Boteler 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Waller
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Waller
Great x 1 Grandmother: Helen Boteler 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Villiers of Brooksby Leicestershire 
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Villiers of Brokesby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Collette Clarke
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Villiers Baroness Boteler Brantfield
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Saunders of Harrington Northamptonshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Audrey Saunders
Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Jennings
GrandFather: Richard Jennings
Mother: Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough
Great x 1 Grandfather: Gifford Thornhurst 1st Baronet
GrandMother: Frances Thornhurst
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Temple of Stowe 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Temple
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Temple
Great x 1 Grandmother: Susanna Temple