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: Deincourt
In 1300 [his father] John Deincourt [aged 45] died.
In 1301 William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt was born to [his father] John Deincourt.
Before 9th March 1301 seven Earls and 96 Barons signed a letter to the Pope refuting the Pope's claim that Scotland was subject to the Pope's feudal overlordship. The letter was never sent. Those who signed include: John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey [aged 70], Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln [aged 23], Ralph Monthermer 1st Earl of Gloucester and Hertford [aged 31], Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex [aged 25], Roger Bigod 5th Earl Norfolk [aged 56], Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel [aged 34], Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick [aged 29], Aymer de Valence 2nd Earl Pembroke [aged 26], William Leybourne 1st Baron Leybourne [aged 59], Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster [aged 20], William Latimer 1st Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 58], Edmund Hastings, John Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings 14th Baron Abergavenny [aged 14], Edmund Mortimer 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore [aged 50], Fulk Fitzwarin 2nd Baron Fitzwarin [aged 16], Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy [aged 27], Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter [aged 54], John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Somerset [aged 26], William de Braose 2nd Baron de Braose 10th Baron Bramber [aged 41], John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort [aged 36], Reginald Grey 1st Baron Grey of Wilton [aged 61], John Moels 1st Baron Moels [aged 32], Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley [aged 55], Robert de Vere 5th Earl of Oxford, John Strange 1st Baron Strange Knockin [aged 48], Thomas Multon 1st Baron Multon [aged 25], Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford [aged 26], Walter Beauchamp [aged 58], Alan Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Ashby [aged 33], John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave [aged 45], William Ferrers 1st Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 29], Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu [aged 51], Piers Mauley, Ralph Neville 1st Baron Neville of Raby [aged 38], John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster [aged 32], Roger Scales 1st Baron Scales, Thomas Furnival 1st Baron Furnivall [aged 41], Hugh Bardolf 1st Baron Bardolf [aged 41], Gilbert Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 24], William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt, Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford [aged 28], Walter Fauconberg 1st Baron Fauconberg [aged 81].
Before 26th March 1326 William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 25] and Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt were married.
Around 1327 [his son] William Deincourt was born to William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 26] and [his wife] Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt at Blankney, Lincolnshire.
On 6th January 1327 [his uncle] Edmund Deincourt 1st Baron Deincourt [aged 77] died at Emley Wakefield. His nephew William [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baron Deincourt. [his wife] Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt by marriage Baroness Deincourt.
On 2nd May 1340 [his brother-in-law] Archbishop William Zouche was appointed Archbishop of York.
Around 1344 [his daughter] Margaret Deincourt Baroness Tibetot was born to William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 43] and [his wife] Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt at Blankney, Lincolnshire. She married in or before 1365 her third cousin Robert Tiptoft 3rd Baron Tibetot, son of John Tiptoft 2nd Baron Tibetot and Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot, and had issue.
On 17th October 1346 at the Battle of Neville's Cross at [Map] the English inflicted a heavy defeat on the Scottish army that had invaded England in compliance with their treaty with the French for mutual support against England.
The English army included: William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 45], Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham [aged 34], Ralph Hastings [aged 55], Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby [aged 55], [his brother-in-law] Archbishop William Zouche, Henry Percy 10th and 2nd Baron Percy [aged 45] and John Mowbray 3rd Baron Mowbray [aged 35].
Of the Scottish army King David II of Scotland [aged 22], John Graham Earl Menteith [aged 56] and William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl [aged 46] were captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map].
Neil Bruce, John Randolph 3rd Earl of Moray [aged 40], David Hay 6th Baron Erroll [aged 28] and Edward Keith of Sinton [aged 66] were killed.
On 19th July 1352 [his brother-in-law] Archbishop William Zouche died at Cawood, North Yorkshire [Map]. He was buried at York Minster [Map].
On 26th December 1357 [his son] William Deincourt 3rd Baron Deincourt was born to William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 56] at Kirkby Bellars, Leicestershire. He married before 15th October 1381 his third cousin twice removed Alice Neville Baroness Deincourt, daughter of John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby and Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby, and had issue.
On 2nd June 1364 William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt [aged 63] died. His eldest son died the same day - the cause of death of both men is unknown. His son William [aged 6] succeeded 3rd Baron Deincourt.
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.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 22nd June 1379 [his former wife] Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt died at Blankney, Lincolnshire.
[his son] John Deincourt was born to William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt and Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt.
GrandFather: John Deincourt
Father: John Deincourt
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Fitzmaldred 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Geoffrey Fitzrobert aka Neville
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Neville of Raby
GrandMother: Agnes Neville
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baderon Monmouth Lord Monmouth
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Monmouth Lord Monmouth
Great x 4 Grandmother: Rohese de Clare 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Monmouth
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Monmouth
Great x 2 Grandmother: Cecilia Waleran