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: Grey
Before 29th April 1593 [his father] Anthony Grey 9th Earl Kent [aged 36] and [his mother] Magdelane Purefoy Countess Kent [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Countess Kent.
On 24th November 1594 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent was born to [his father] Anthony Grey 9th Earl Kent [aged 37] and [his mother] Magdelane Purefoy Countess Kent [aged 22].
On 21st November 1639 Henry Grey 8th Earl Kent [aged 56] died without issue. He was buried at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map]. His second cousin once removed [his father] Anthony [aged 82] succeeded 9th Earl Kent. His nephew Charles [aged 27] succeeded 12th Baron Grey of Ruthyn.
Charles Longueville 12th Baron Grey of Ruthyn: On or before 21st April 1612, the date he was baptised, he was born to Michael Longueville and Susan Grey. Before 14th June 1643 he and Frances Neville were married. On 14th June 1643 he died. His daughter Susan succeeded 13th Baroness Grey of Ruthyn.
On 14th October 1641 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent [aged 46] and Mary Courtine Countess Kent were married. She by marriage Countess Kent. He the son of Anthony Grey 9th Earl Kent [aged 84] and Magdelane Purefoy Countess Kent [aged 69].
Before 1643 Anthony Fane [aged 29] and [his future wife] Amabel Benn Countess Kent [aged 35] were married. He the son of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland.
On 9th November 1643 [his father] Anthony Grey 9th Earl Kent [aged 86] died. His son Henry [aged 48] succeeded 10th Earl Kent.
From 1644 to 1645 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent [aged 49] lived at 1 Tavistock Row Covent Garden.
On 1st August 1644 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent [aged 49] and Amabel Benn Countess Kent [aged 36] were married. She by marriage Countess Kent. He the son of Anthony Grey 9th Earl Kent and Magdelane Purefoy Countess Kent [aged 72].
On 11th June 1645 [his son] Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent was born to Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent [aged 50] and [his wife] Amabel Benn Countess Kent [aged 37]. He married 2nd March 1662 Mary Lucas Countess Kent, daughter of John Lucas 1st Baron Lucas Shenfield and Mary Neville, and had issue.
On 28th May 1651 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent [aged 56] died. Monument made in 1658 at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map]. His son Anthony [aged 5] succeeded 11th Earl Kent.
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.
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In 17th August 1698 [his former wife] Amabel Benn Countess Kent [aged 90] died. She was interred with her former husband Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent who had died some 45 and more years before at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map] - see Monument.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Grey Baroness Maynard was born to Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent and Amabel Benn Countess Kent. She married before 1673 Banastre Maynard 3rd Baron Maynard, son of William Maynard 2nd Baron Maynard and Dorothy Banastre Baroness Maynard, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Grey 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Holland Countess Norfolk and Nottingham 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Grey 2nd Earl Kent 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Percy 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Anthony Grey 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Herbert Countess Kent 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 
7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Merbury
GrandFather: George Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Father: Anthony Grey 9th Earl Kent 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Gerard Salvaine of Croxall, County Durham
GrandMother: Margery Salvaine
Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Purefoy I
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Purefoy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Purefoy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Michael Purefoy 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Fitzherbert 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Fitzherbert 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Booth 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Fitzherbert 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Marshall
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Marshall
GrandFather: William Purefoy 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Mother: Magdelane Purefoy Countess Kent 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England