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: Sidney
Maternal Family Tree: Emma de Dinan 1136-1208
In 1615 [his father] Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 19] and [his mother] Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Henry "Wizard Earl" Percy 9th Earl of Northumberland [aged 50] and [his grandmother] Dorothy Devereux Countess Northumberland [aged 51]. He the son of Robert Sidney 1st Earl of Leicester [aged 51] and Barbara Gamage Countess Leicester [aged 52]. They were fifth cousin once removed.
On 8th April 1641 Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney was born to [his father] Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 45] and [his mother] Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester [aged 43] at Paris [Map].
In 1643 [his brother-in-law] Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland [aged 22] was created 1st Earl of Sunderland. [his sister] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland [aged 25] by marriage Countess of Sunderland.
In 1645 [his brother] Philip Sidney 3rd Earl of Leicester [aged 25] and [his sister-in-law] Catherine Cecil were married. She the daughter of William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury [aged 53] and Catherine Howard Countess Salisbury [aged 55]. He the son of [his father] Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 49] and [his mother] Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester [aged 47]. They were fifth cousins.
On 20th August 1659 [his mother] Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester [aged 61] died.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27th October 1662. He told me what great faction there is at Court; and above all, what is whispered, that young Crofts [aged 13] is lawful son to the King [aged 32], the King being married to his mother1. How true this is, God knows; but I believe the Duke of York [aged 29] will not be fooled in this of three crowns.
Note 1. There has been much confusion as to the name and parentage of Charles's mistress. Lucy Walter was the daughter of William Walter of Roch Castle, co. Pembroke, and Mr. S. Steinman, in his "Althorp Memoirs" (privately printed, 1869), sets out her pedigree, which is a good one. Roch Castle was taken and burnt by the Parliamentary forces in 1644, and Lucy was in London in 1648, where she made the acquaintance of Colonel Algernon Sidney [aged 25]. She then fell into the possession of his brother, Colonel Robert Sidney2. In September of this same year she was taken up by Charles, Prince of Wales. Charles terminated his connection with her on October 30th, 1651, and she died in 1658, as appears by a document (administration entry in the Register of the Prerogative Court) met with by the late Colonel Chester. William Erskine, who had served Charles as cupbearer in his wanderings, and was appointed Master of the Charterhouse in December, 1677, had the care of Lucy Walter, and buried her in Paris. He declared that the King never had any intention of marrying her, and she did not deserve it. Thomas Ross, the tutor of her son, put the idea of this claim into his head, and asked Dr. Cosin to certify to a marriage. In consequence of this he was removed from his office, and Lord Crofts [aged 37] took his place (Steinman's "Althorp Memoirs"). Lucy Walter took the name of Barlow during her wanderings.
Note 2. Not clear who Colonel Robert Sidney is since Algernon Sidney didn't have a brother called Robert. Algernon's brothers were Philip Sidney 3rd Earl of Leicester [aged 43] and Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney [aged 21].
John Reresby's Diary 05 Aug 1665. 5th August 1665. His royal highness [aged 31] and his duchess [aged 28] came down to York, where they stayed till September the 23rd, when the Duke went for Oxford, where the King [aged 35] was to meet the Parliament. The Duchess went not till some time after. Most of the gentry attended at York whilst their liighnesses were there. The Duke passed his time in shooting and other exercises, the Duchess in receiving the ladies, which she did very obligingly. One evening having a little snake (which I kept in bran in a box) in my hand as I was in the presence, one of the maids of honour seeing of it was frightened. The Duchess, hearing the noise, and what was the occasion, desired to see the snake, and took it into her hand without any fear. This Duchess was Chancellor Hyde's [aged 56] daughter, and she was a very handsome woman, and had a great deal of wit; therefore it was not without reason that Mr. Sydney [aged 24], the handsomest youth of his time, of the Duke's bedchamber, was so much in love with her, as appeared to us all, and the Duchess not unkind to him, but very innocently. He was afterwards banished the Court for another reason, as was reported.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th November 1665. As an infinite secret, my Lord tells me, the factions are high between the King [aged 35] and the Duke [aged 32], and all the Court are in an uproare with their loose amours; the Duke of Yorke being in love desperately with Mrs. Stewart [aged 18]. Nay, that the Duchesse [aged 28] herself is fallen in love with her new Master of the Horse, one Harry Sidney [aged 24], and another, Harry Savill [aged 23]. So that God knows what will be the end of it. And that the Duke is not so obsequious as he used to be, but very high of late; and would be glad to be in the head of an army as Generall; and that it is said that he do propose to go and command under the King of Spayne [aged 4], in Flanders.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th January 1666. After dinner Pierce and I up to my chamber, where he tells me how a great difference hath been between the Duke [aged 32] and Duchesse [aged 28], he suspecting her to be naught with Mr. Sidney [aged 24]1. But some way or other the matter is made up; but he was banished the Court, and the Duke for many days did not speak to the Duchesse at all. He tells me that my Lord Sandwich [aged 40] is lost there at Court, though the King [aged 35] is particularly his friend. But people do speak every where slightly of him; which is a sad story to me, but I hope it may be better again. And that Sir G. Carteret [aged 56] is neglected, and hath great enemies at work against him. That matters must needs go bad, while all the town, and every boy in the streete, openly cries, "the King cannot go away till my Baroness Castlemaine's [aged 25] be ready to come along with him"; she being lately put to bed And that he visits her and Mrs. Stewart [aged 18] every morning before he eats his breakfast. All this put together makes me very sad, but yet I hope I shall do pretty well among them for all this, by my not meddling with either of their matters. He and Ferrers gone I paid uncle Thomas his last quarter's money, and then comes Mr. Gawden and he and I talked above stairs together a good while about his business, and to my great joy got him to declare that of the £500 he did give me the other day, none of it was for my Treasurershipp for Tangier [Map] (I first telling him how matters stand between Povy [aged 52] and I, that he was to have half of whatever was coming to me by that office), and that he will gratify me at 2 per cent. for that when he next receives any money. So there is £80 due to me more than I thought of. He gone I with a glad heart to the office to write, my letters and so home to supper and bed, my wife mighty full of her worke she hath to do in furnishing her bedchamber.
Note 1. "This Duchess was Chancellor Hyde's [aged 56] daughter, and she was a very handsome woman, and had a great deal of wit; therefore it was not without reason that Mr. Sydney, the handsomest youth of his time, of the Duke's bedchamber, was so much in love with her, as appeared to us all, and the Duchess not unkind to him, but very innocently. He was afterwards banished the Court for another reason, as was reported" (Sir John Reresby's Memoirs, August 5th, 1664, ed. Cartwright, pp. 64,65). "'How could the Duke of York make my mother a Papist?' said the Princess Mary to Dr. Bumet. 'The Duke caught a man in bed with her,' said the Doctor, 'and then had power to make her do anything.' The Prince, who sat by the fire, said, 'Pray, madam, ask the Doctor a few more questions'" (Spence's "Anecdotes", ed. Singer, 329).
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 15th October 1666. Thence he and I together to Westminster Hall [Map], in our way talking of matters and passages of state, the viciousness of the Court; the contempt the King [aged 36] brings himself into thereby; his minding nothing, but doing all things just as his people about him will have it; the Duke of York [aged 33] becoming a slave to this whore Denham [aged 26], and wholly minds her; that there really was amours between the Duchesse [aged 29] and Sidney [aged 25]; a that there is reason to fear that, as soon as the Parliament have raised this money, the King will see that he hath got all that he can get, and then make up a peace.
On 2nd November 1677 [his father] Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester [aged 81] died. His son [his brother] Philip [aged 58] succeeded 3rd Earl of Leicester, 3rd Viscount Lisle.
On 5th February 1684 [his sister] Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland [aged 66] died.
On 1st July 1690 the Battle of the Boyne was fought between the armies of Protestant King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 39] and Catholic King James II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 56].
The English army was commanded by Frederick Schomberg 1st Duke Schomberg [aged 74].
The English or Protestant army included Colonel Albert Conyngham, Richard Lumley 1st Earl Scarborough [aged 40], Osmund Mordaunt and Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney [aged 49].
For the Irish or Catholic army James Fitzjames 1st Duke Berwick [aged 19] and Henry Hobart 4th Baronet [aged 33] fought. Richard Hamilton was captured.
Drury Wray 9th Baronet [aged 56] fought for James II for which he subsequently forfeit his lands.
In 1693 Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney [aged 51] was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st August 1693. Lord Capel [aged 55], Sir Cyril Wyche [aged 61], and Mr. Duncomb, made Lord Justices in Ireland; Lord Sydney [aged 52] recalled, and made Master of the Ordnance.
In 1694 Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney [aged 52] was created 1st Earl Romney by King William III of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 43] in recognition of Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney 1641-1704's support of the Glorious Revolution he having been one of the signatories of the Invitation to William of Orange from the Immortal Seven.
John Evelyn's Diary. 13th November 1695. Famous fireworks and very chargeable, the King [aged 45] being returned from his progress. He stayed seven or eight days at [his nephew] Lord Sunderland's [aged 54] at Althorpe [Map], where he was mightily entertained. These fireworks were shown before Lord Romney [aged 54], Master of the Ordnance, in St. James's great square, where the King stood.
On 6th March 1698 [his brother] Philip Sidney 3rd Earl of Leicester [aged 79] died. His son [his nephew] Robert [aged 49] succeeded 4th Earl of Leicester, 4th Viscount Lisle. Elizabeth Egerton Countess Leicester [aged 44] by marriage Countess of Leicester.
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th December 1700. Great alterations of officers at Court, and elsewhere, - Lord Chief Justice Treby died; he was a learned man in his profession, of which we have now few, never fewer; the Chancery requiring so little skill in deep law-learning, if the practicer can talk eloquently in that Court; so that probably few care to study the law to any purpose. Lord Marlborough [aged 50] Master of the Ordnance, in place of Lord Romney [aged 59] made Groom of the Stole. The Earl of Rochester [aged 58] goes Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
On 8th April 1704 Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney [aged 63] died. Earl Romney extinct.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William IV Sidney 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Sidney
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sidney
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brandon 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Brandon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Sidney
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Pakenham
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Pakenham
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
GrandFather: Robert Sidney 1st Earl of Leicester 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Dudley 
6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Dudley 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bramshott
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Grey 1st Viscount Lisle 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Viscountess Lisle 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot Viscountess Lisle 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Dudley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Guildford
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Guildford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ann Pympe
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Guildford Duchess Northumberland 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas West 8th Baron De La Warr 5th Baron West 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor West 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness De La Warr and West 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Father: Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Gamage
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Gamage of Coity Castle 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret St John 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Lansgtone Manor
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Gamage of Coity Castle 11 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandMother: Barbara Gamage Countess Leicester 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Henry Sidney 1st Earl Romney 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Percy 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Spencer of Spencer Combe 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaufort Countess Ormonde 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Percy 8th Earl of Northumberland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Harbottle 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guiscard Harbottle 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Harbottle 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Markham
GrandFather: Henry "Wizard Earl" Percy 9th Earl of Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Latimer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Baroness Latimer 
13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Neville 4th Baron Latimer of Snape 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George de Vere 
6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy de Vere 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stafford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Devereux 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bourchier Baroness Ferrers Chartley 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Hastings 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
GrandMother: Dorothy Devereux Countess Northumberland 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Knollys 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Knollys
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Troutbeck
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Knollys
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lettice Peniston
Great x 1 Grandmother: Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Carey 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Spencer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Carey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Boleyn 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England