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 Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton 1738-1796

Paternal Family Tree: Compton

Maternal Family Tree: Jane Sneyd 1546-1616

On 16th August 1738 Spencer Compton 8th was born to [his father] Charles Compton (age 46) and [his mother] Mary Lucy (age 28).

After 16th August 1752 [his brother-in-law] John Perceval 2nd Earl Egmont (age 41) and [his sister] Catherine Compton Countess Egmont (age 21) were married. She by marriage Countess Egmont. The difference in their ages was 20 years. He the son of John Perceval 1st Earl Egmont and Catherine Parker Countess Egmont.

On 20th November 1755 [his father] Charles Compton (age 63) died.

In 1758 Spencer Compton 8th (age 19) and Jane Lawton Countess Northampton were married.

On 6th December 1758 [his uncle] George Compton 6th Earl of Northampton (age 66) died. His nephew [his brother] Charles (age 21) succeeded 7th Earl of Northampton. [his future sister-in-law] Anne Somerset Countess Northampton (age 17) by marriage Countess of Northampton.

On 13th September 1759 [his brother] Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Somerset Countess Northampton (age 18) were married. She the daughter of Charles Noel Somerset 4th Duke Beaufort and Elizabeth Berekeley Duchess Beaufort (age 46). They were third cousin once removed.

On 24th March 1760 [his son] Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton was born to Spencer Compton 8th (age 21) and [his wife] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton. He married 18th August 1787 Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton.

Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses

Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.

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In 1761 Spencer Compton 8th (age 22) was elected MP Northampton.

On 18th October 1763 [his brother] Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton (age 26) died. His brother Spencer (age 25) succeeded 8th Earl of Northampton. [his wife] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton by marriage Countess of Northampton.

On 26th November 1767 [his wife] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton died.

On 23rd May 1770 [his sister] Catherine Compton Countess Egmont (age 38) was created 1st Baroness Arden of Lohort Castle in County Cork.

On 11th June 1784 [his sister] Catherine Compton Countess Egmont (age 53) died at Langley, Buckinghamshire. Her son [his nephew] Charles (age 27) succeeded 2nd Baron Arden of Lohort Castle in County Cork.

On 18th August 1787 [his son] Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton (age 27) and [his daughter-in-law] Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton (age 21) were married. He the son of Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton (age 49) and [his former wife] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton.

On 7th April 1796 Spencer Compton 8th (age 57) died. His son Charles (age 36) succeeded 9th Earl of Northampton. [his daughter-in-law] Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton (age 30) by marriage Countess of Northampton.

[his father] Charles Compton and [his mother] Mary Lucy were married. He the son of [his grandfather] George Compton 4th Earl of Northampton and [his grandmother] Jane Fox Countess Northampton.

Floor tiles at Church of St Mary Magdalen, Castle Ashby [Map]: Here lies the bodies of Jane the first wife of Spencer Compton 8th , [his son] Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton, Mary his wife also of [his grandson] Spencer Second Marquis of Northampton and [his granddaughter-in-law] Margaret his wife and also his grandchildren.

Jane Lawton Countess Northampton: In 1758 Spencer Compton 8th and she were married. On 18th October 1763 Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton died. His brother Spencer succeeded 8th Earl of Northampton. She by marriage Countess of Northampton. On 26th November 1767 she died.