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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Smithson
On 19th December 1715 Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland was born to [his father] Langdale Smithson (age 35).
On 22nd March 1729 [his grandfather] Hugh Smithson 3rd Baronet (age 72) died. His grandson Hugh (age 13) succeeded 4th Baronet Smithson of Stanwick in Yorkshire. Monument in Church of St John the Baptist, Stanwick, North Yorkshire [Map].
Hugh Smithson 3rd Baronet: In 1657 he was born to Jerome Smithson 2nd Baronet. In 1684 Jerome Smithson 2nd Baronet died. His son Hugh succeeded 3rd Baronet Smithson of Stanwick in Yorkshire.
On 6th July 1740 Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 24) and Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 23) were married. She the daughter of Algernon Seymour 7th Duke of Somerset (age 55) and Frances Thynne Duchess Somerset (age 41).
On 14th August 1742 [his son] Hugh Percy 2nd Duke Northumberland was born to Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 26) and [his wife] Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 25). He married (1) 2nd July 1764 his fourth cousin once removed Anne Stuart, daughter of John Stuart 3rd Earl Bute and Mary Wortley-Montagu Countess Bute (2) 23rd May 1779 Frances Julia Burrell Duchess Northumberland and had issue.
On 21st January 1750 [his son] Algernon Percy 1st Earl Beverley was born to Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 33). He married 8th June 1775 Isabella Susan Burrell Countess Beverley and had issue.
On 7th February 1750 [his father-in-law] Algernon Seymour 7th Duke of Somerset (age 65) died. He was buried at Northumberland Vault, Crypt, Westminster Abbey. Earl Hertford, Baron Beauchamp of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset and Baron Seymour of Trowbridge extinct. His half fifth cousin once removed Edward (age 55) succeeded 8th Duke Somerset. Mary Webb Duchess Somerset (age 53) by marriage Duchess Somerset. His daughter [his wife] Elizabeth (age 33) succeeded 2nd Baroness Percy. His nephew Charles (age 39) succeeded 2nd Earl Egremont.
In 1756 King George II of Great Britain and Ireland (age 72) created new Garter Knights as follows:
572nd William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire (age 35),
573rd Henry Howard 4th Earl Carlisle (age 61),
574th Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 40),
575th Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford (age 37).
In 1761 [his father] Langdale Smithson (age 81) died.
In 1762 Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 46) was appointed Privy Council.
On 2nd July 1764 Hugh Percy 2nd Duke Northumberland (age 21) and Anne Stuart (age 19) were married. She the daughter of John Stuart 3rd Earl Bute (age 51) and Mary Wortley-Montagu Countess Bute (age 46). He the son of Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 48) and Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 47). They were fourth cousin once removed.
In 1766 Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 50) was created 1st Duke Northumberland. [his wife] Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 49) by marriage Duchess Northumberland.
On 8th June 1775 Algernon Percy 1st Earl Beverley (age 25) and Isabella Susan Burrell Countess Beverley (age 24) were married at Syon House [Map]. He the son of Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 59) and Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 58).
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 5th December 1776 [his daughter] Elizabeth Anne Frances Percy was born to Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 60) and [his wife] Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 60).
On 5th December 1776 [his wife] Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland (age 60) died. Her son Hugh (age 34) succeeded 3rd Baron Percy
Before 23rd May 1779 [his son] Hugh Percy 2nd Duke Northumberland (age 36) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Stuart (age 34) were divorced.
On 23rd May 1779 Hugh Percy 2nd Duke Northumberland (age 36) and Frances Julia Burrell Duchess Northumberland (age 26) were married. He the son of Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 63) and Elizabeth Seymour Duchess Northumberland.
On 28th June 1784 Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 68) was created 1st Baron Lovain.
On 6th June 1786 Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland (age 70) died. His son Hugh (age 43) succeeded 2nd Duke Northumberland, 2nd Baron Lovain, 5th Baronet Smithson of Stanwick in Yorkshire. Frances Julia Burrell Duchess Northumberland (age 33) by marriage Duchess Northumberland.
Before 2nd August 1788 Thomas Gainsborough (age 61). Portrait of Hugh Percy 1st Duke Northumberland.
Great x 3 Grandfather: Antony Smithson
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Smithson 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Jerome Smithson 2nd Baronet
GrandFather: Hugh Smithson 3rd Baronet
Father: Langdale Smithson
