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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Biography of Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet 1883-1942

Paternal Family Tree: Broughton

On 26th April 1881 [his father] Delves Louis Broughton 10th Baronet (age 23) and [his mother] Rosamond Broughton (age 19) were married at Yazor, Herefordshire.

On 10th September 1883 Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet was born to [his father] Delves Louis Broughton 10th Baronet (age 26) and [his mother] Rosamond Broughton (age 21) at Doddington Hall, Cheshire [Map].

On 11th October 1885 [his mother] Rosamond Broughton (age 23) died.

On 21st December 1887 [his father] Delves Louis Broughton 10th Baronet (age 30) and [his step-mother] Mary Evelyn Cotton Lady Broughton (age 23) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She by marriage Lady Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire.

On 26th February 1899 [his grandfather] Henry Delves Broughton 9th Baronet (age 90) died. His son [his father] Delves (age 41) succeeded 10th Baronet Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire.

On 8th July 1913 Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 29) and Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 19) were married.

On 15th April 1914 [his father] Delves Louis Broughton 10th Baronet (age 56) died. His son John (age 30) succeeded 11th Baronet Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire. [his wife] Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 20) by marriage Lady Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire.

On 2nd October 1915 [his son] Major Evelyn Delves Broughton 12th Baronet was born to Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 32) and [his wife] Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 21). He married (1) 28th January 1947 Elizabeth Florence Marion Cholmondeley, daughter of Thomas Cholmondeley 4th Baron Delamere and Phyllis Anne Montagu-Douglas-Scott Baroness Delamere (2) 1955 Helen Mary Shore and had issue.

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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On 20th May 1917 [his daughter] Rosamund Boughton was born to Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 33) and [his wife] Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 23). She married 10th October 1938 Christopher Fraser 15th Lord Lovat.

On 10th October 1938 [his son-in-law] Christopher Fraser 15th Lord Lovat (age 27) and [his daughter] Rosamund Boughton (age 21) were married.

In 1940 Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 56) and Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 45) were divorced.

On 5th November 1940 Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 57) and Diana Caldwell Baroness Delamere (age 27) were married. The difference in their ages was 29 years.

On 24th January 1941 Josslyn Victor Hay 22nd Earl of Erroll (age 39) was murdered. He was found shot dead in his Buick at a crossroads on the Nairobi-Ngong road. He had dined that evening with Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 57) and his wife, Erroll's alledged lover, [his wife] Diana Caldwell Baroness Delamere (age 28). After dinner Erroll and Diana had gone dancing, Erroll's body was discovered half an hour after he had dropped her off. Broughton was subsequently tried, and aquitted, for the murder. His daughter Diana (age 15) succeeded 23rd Countess Erroll.

After 24th January 1941 Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 57) was tried for the murder of Josslyn Victor Hay 22nd Earl of Erroll (deceased). He was acquited. The case became famous and was made into the film "White Mischief".

On 5th December 1942 Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet (age 59) committed suicide. His son Evelyn (age 27) succeeded 12th Baronet Broughton of Broughton in Staffordshire.

On 26th March 1955 Thomas Cholmondeley 4th Baron Delamere (age 54) and [his former wife] Diana Caldwell Baroness Delamere (age 42) were married. She by marriage Baroness Delamere of Vale Royal in Cheshire.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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On 21st August 1968 [his former wife] Vera Edyth Griffith-Boscawen Lady Boughton (age 74) died.

In 1987 [his former wife] Diana Caldwell Baroness Delamere (age 74) died at Bracknell, Berkshire. She was buried at Soysambu Ranch Cemetery, Nakuru, Nakuru, Kenya.

Ancestors of Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet 1883-1942

Great x 4 Grandfather: Brian Broughton 3rd Baronet 15 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Brian Broughton-Delves 4th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Delves 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Broughton 6th Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Delves Broughton 8th Baronet 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Wicker Lady Boughton

GrandFather: Henry Delves Broughton 9th Baronet 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Pigott Lady Broughton

Father: Delves Louis Broughton 10th Baronet 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet 16 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: John Lambart Broughton

Mother: Rosamond Broughton 16 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Adderley 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Bowyer Adderley 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Adderley 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Adderley 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Lettice Adderley 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Adderley 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

GrandMother: Anne Selina Adderley 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Biography of Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet 1883-1942

Royal Ancestors of Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet 1883-1942

Ancestors of Major John Delves Broughton 11th Baronet 1883-1942