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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Biography of Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth 1525-1584

Paternal Family Tree: Wentworth

Maternal Family Tree: Aoife ni Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham 1145-1188

1547 Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

1558 Surrender of Calais

In 1525 Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth was born to [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth [aged 24] and [his mother] Margaret Fortescue Baroness Wentworth [aged 23].

On 17th October 1528 [his grandfather] Richard Wentworth 5th Baron Despencer [aged 48] died. His son [his father] Thomas [aged 27] de jure 6th Baron Despencer.

Around 1535 Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 10] educated at St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].

In or before 1538 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth [aged 36] and [his mother] Margaret Fortescue Baroness Wentworth [aged 35] were married. They were fourth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 9th February 1546 Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 21] and Mary Wentworth Baroness Wentworth [aged 21] were married. They were third cousin once removed.

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh

On 10th September 1547 an English army commanded by Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset [aged 47] defeated a Scottish army commanded by James Hamilton 2nd Earl Arran [aged 31] and Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus [aged 58] at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh at Musselburgh.

The English army included John Dudley 1st Duke Northumberland [aged 43], Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 47], Miles Partridge and Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 22]. John Thynne [aged 32] and Edmund Brydges 2nd Baron Chandos [aged 25] were knighted.

William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley [aged 26] accompanied Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset.

Edward Shelley of Worminghurst Park [aged 44] was killed.

John Forbes 6th Lord Forbes [aged 82], Christopher Coningsby [aged 31] and Edward Clere were killed.

John Thynne was knighted after the battle.

George Sandes [aged 29] was killed.

The Scottish army included John Gordon 11th Earl Sutherland [aged 22] who commanded the Rearguard and Gilbert Kennedy 3rd Earl Cassilis [aged 32]. John Stewart, Robert Douglas [aged 41], John Livingston, Thomas Hamilton of Priestfield and Hugh Montgomerie were killed. John Hay 4th Lord Hay was captured but soon released.

Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming [aged 53] was killed. His son James [aged 13] succeeded 4th Lord Fleming. Barbara Hamilton Lady Fleming by marriage Lord Fleming.

Robert Graham Master of Montrose and James Gordon of Lochinvar were killed.

On 3rd March 1551 [his father] Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth [aged 50] died. He was buried at Chapel of St John the Baptist, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son Thomas [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baron Wentworth. His son Thomas de jure 7th Baron Despencer. [his wife] Mary Wentworth Baroness Wentworth [aged 26] by marriage Baroness Wentworth.

On 12th May 1551 [his mother] Margaret Fortescue Baroness Wentworth [aged 49] died.

Around 1554 [his wife] Mary Wentworth Baroness Wentworth [aged 29] died.

Around 1555 [his son] William Wentworth was born to Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 30] and [his future wife] Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth. He married 26th February 1582 Elizabeth Cecil, daughter of William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley and Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley.

Deeds of King Henry V

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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In 1556 Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 31] and Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth were married. She by marriage Baroness Wentworth. They were third cousin once removed.

Surrender of Calais

On 7th January 1558 at 6am Thomas Wentworth [aged 33], Governor of Calais, surrendered Calais [Map] after a week long siege to François de Lorraine-Guise, 2nd Duke of Guise [aged 38]; it had been in English hands since 1347. Calais was the last English owned territory in France. The loss was a huge blow for Queen Mary I [aged 41] and it is said that upon hearing the news she stated "When I am dead and opened, you shall find 'Philip' and 'Calais' lying in my heart" although the source for this is unknown.

Edward Grimston [aged 50] was captured and imprisoned at the Bastille [Map].

Before 20th January 1558 [his son] Henry Wentworth 3rd Baron Wentworth was born to Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 33] and [his wife] Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth. He married 1585 his fourth cousin Anne Hopton Baroness Wentworth and had issue.

1568. Formerly attributed to Hans Eworth [aged 48]. Portrait of Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 43].

In or before 1572 [his brother-in-law] Henry Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 31] and [his sister] Jane Wentworth Baroness Cheyne were married.

In 1572 [his brother-in-law] Henry Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 31] was created 1st Baron Cheyne. [his sister] Jane Wentworth Baroness Cheyne by marriage Baroness Cheyne.

On 2nd September 1574 [his wife] Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth died.

On 26th February 1582 [his son] William Wentworth [aged 27] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Cecil [aged 17] were married.

On 7th November 1582 [his son] William Wentworth [aged 27] died.

On 13th January 1584 Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth [aged 59] died. His son Henry [aged 25] succeeded 3rd Baron Wentworth. His son Henry de jure 8th Baron Despencer.

Henry Machyn's Diary. After 20th April 1599. The (blank) day of Aprell was browth from the Towre [Map] unto Westmynster Hall [Map] to be reynyd, my lord Wentworth, last depute of Calles, for the lossyng of Calles; and ther wher serten of ys a-cussars; but he quytt hym-seylff, thanke be God, and clen delevered, and whent in-to Wytyngtun colege, and ther he lys.

[his daughter] Elizabeth Wentworth was born to Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth and Anne Wentworth Baroness Wentworth. She married in or before 1606 William Hynde.

Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth 1525-1584 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth 1525-1584

Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth 1525-1584

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Wentworth

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Wentworth

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dronsfield

Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip Wentworth 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Despencer 2nd Baron Despencer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Despencer 3rd Baroness Despencer, Baroness Ros 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tiptoft Baroness Despencer 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 4th Baron Despencer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Clifford Baroness Despencer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: Richard Wentworth 5th Baron Despencer 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Saye 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Saye 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Boteler Baroness Ferrers Wem 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Saye 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Saye Baroness Despencer 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cheney

Great x 3 Grandfather: Lawrence Cheney

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cockayne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cockayne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Grey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Father: Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Tyrrell

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Tyrrell

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Flambard

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Tyrrell

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Coggeshall

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Eleanor Coggeshall

Great x 1 Grandfather: James Tyrrell

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Darcy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Tyrrell

Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Darcy

GrandMother: Anne Tyrrell Baroness Despencer 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Arundell

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Arundell

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor aka Annorah Lambourne

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Arundell 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Burghesh 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Burghesh 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ismania Hanham

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Arundell 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Morley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Morley 6th Baron Marshal 5th Baron Morley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Molines

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Morley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Michael de la Pole 2nd Earl Suffolk

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Pole Baroness Marshal and Morley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Stafford Countess Suffolk 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Thomas Wentworth 2nd Baron Wentworth 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Fortescue

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Fortescue

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Fortescue

GrandFather: Adrian Fortescue 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Boleyn

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Jane Bracton

Great x 2 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Bracton

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Bracton

Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Boleyn 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Hoo

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hoo 1st Baron Hoo and Hastings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Felton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Ann Hoo 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Wychingham of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wychingham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Mother: Margaret Fortescue Baroness Wentworth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Stonor

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Stonor 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Michael de la Pole 2nd Earl Suffolk

Great x 3 Grandfather: William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Stafford Countess Suffolk 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Pole 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

GrandMother: Anne Stonor 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ingaldsthorpe

Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Ingaldsthorpe

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Pole

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Ingaldsthorpe 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tiptoft 1st Baron Tiptoft

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Tiptoft 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Joyce Charleton Baroness Tiptoft 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England