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: Borlase
Before 21st August 1619 [his uncle] William Borlase (age 30) and [his mother] Jane Popham were married.
On 15th October 1620 William Borlase was born to [his uncle] William Borlase (age 31) and [his mother] Jane Popham at Littlecote House.
In or before 1628 [his step-father] Thomas Luttrell (age 44) and [his mother] Jane Popham were married.
On 15th December 1630 [his uncle] William Borlase (age 41) died.
On 30th April 1635 William Borlase (age 14) matriculated Magdalen College, Oxford University.
In 1637 William Borlase (age 16) was a student at Inner Temple.
On 4th December 1637 [his brother] John Borlase 1st Baronet (age 18) and Alice Bankes Lady Borlase were married at St Giles' in the Fields Church [Map]. His brother William Borlase (age 17) married her sister [his future wife] Joanna Bankes.
In 1659 William Borlase (age 38) was elected MP Great Marlow in the Third Protectorate Parliament.
Before 1660 William Borlase (age 39) and Joanna Bankes were married. His brother John Borlase 1st Baronet (age 40) married her sister Alice Bankes Lady Borlase.
In 1660 William Borlase (age 39) was elected MP Great Marlow in the Convention Parliament.
In 1661 William Borlase (age 40) was elected MP Great Marlow in the Cavalier Parliament.
In October 1665 William Borlase (age 44) died. He was buried on 1st November 1665.
[his daughter] Anne Borlase was born to William Borlase and Joanna Bankes. She married in or before 1683 Thomas Wingfield of Preston Brockhurst in Shropshire.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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[his daughter] Alicia Borlase was born to William Borlase and Joanna Bankes. She married before 15th April 1690 John Wallop of Farleigh Wallop and had issue.
[his daughter] Henrietta Borlase was born to William Borlase and Joanna Bankes. She married 1680 Richard Astley 1st Baronet.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 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 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Borlase of Buckinghamshire
GrandFather: William Borlase of Little Marlow
Father: William Borlase
William Borlase 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander Popham of Huntworth in Somerset
GrandFather: John Popham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stradling 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stradling 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Herbert 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stradling 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane aka Joan Stradling 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Arundell 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Arundell 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Chideocke 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Arundell 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Dynham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Dinham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Arches
Mother: Jane Popham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England