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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Lichfield, Staffordshire is in Staffordshire.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. On or before 5th March 1039. This year happened the terrible wind; and Bishop Britmar died at Lichfield [Map].
On 9th April 1347 Edward "Black Prince" [aged 16] attended a Tournament at Lichfield. John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle [aged 28], Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 43] (or possibly his son also Hugh Courtenay [aged 20] ) and Robert Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 38] took part in the Tournament.
In 1508 George Stanley [aged 72] died at Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map]. He was buried at Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map].
On 23rd January 1625 Margaret Devereux [aged 83] died at Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map].
On 11th April 1785 Penelope Boothby was born to Brooke Boothby 6th Baronet [aged 40] in Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map]. She died aged five in 1791.
In 1812 Peter Hayward was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map].
On 31st July 1925 John Henry Howard [aged 97] died at Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map].
Bede. He had his episcopal see in the place called Litchfield [Map], in which he also died, and was buried, and where the see of the succeeding bishops of that province still continues. He had built himself a habitation not far from the church wherein he was wont to pray and read with seven or eight of the brethren, as often as he had any spare time from the labour and ministry of the word. When he had most gloriously governed the church in that province two years and a half, the Divine Providence so ordaining, there came round a season like that of which Ecclesiastes says, "That there is a time to cast stones, and a time to gather them;" for there happened a mortality sent from heaven, which, by means of the death of the flesh, translated the stones of the church from their earthly places to the heavenly building. And when, after many of the church of that most reverend prelate had been taken out of the flesh, his hour also drew near wherein he was to pass out of this world to our Lord, it happened one day that he was in the aforesaid dwelling with only one brother, called Owini, his other companion being upon some reasonable occasion returned to the church. Now Owini was a monk of great merit, having forsaken the world with the pure intention of obtaining the heavenly reward; worthy in all respects to have the secrets of our Lord revealed to him, and worthy to have credit given by his hearers to what he said, for he came with Queen Etheldrid from the province of the East Angles, and was her prime minister, and governor of her family. As the fervour of his faith increased, resolving to renounce the world, he did not go about it slothfully, but so fully forsook the things of this world, that, quitting all he had, clad in a plain garment, and carrying an axe and hatchet in his hand, he came to the monastery of that most reverend prelate, called Lestingau; denoting, that he did not go to the monastery to live idle, as some do, but to labour, which he also confirmed by practice; for as he was less capable of meditating on the Holy Scriptures, he the more earnestly applied himself to the labour of his hands. In short, he was received by the bishop into the house aforesaid, and there entertained with the brethren, and whilst they were engaged within in reading, he was without, doing such things as were necessary.
Icknield Street 18c Wall to Derby. Leaving Letocetum, Staffordshire [Map] aka Wall the Icknield Way takes a new alignment through Lichfield [Map], Streethay [Map], past Alrewas, Staffordshire [Map], through Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire [Map], Toyota Island, Staffordshire [Map] crossing the River Derwent before reaching Derventio [Map] aka Derby.
On 23rd May 1617 Elias Ashmole was born in Breadmarket Street Lichfield, Staffordshire [Map].
Roger Whitley's Diary. 10th February 1690. Monday, we set out past 8; dined at the Harp; there Biddolph parted with us; severall frinds from Lichfeild meeting him there; he went with them to Lichfeild; we lay that night at the 4 Crosses.
St John the Baptist's Church, Shenstone is also in Churches in Staffordshire.
In 1727 Elizabeth Stanhope [aged 24] died. She was buried at the St John the Baptist's Church, Shenstone [Map].
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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On 21st February 1758 Samuel Barbour aka Hill of Shenstone Park [aged 67] died. He was buried at the St John the Baptist's Church, Shenstone [Map].
On or before 16th September 1635 William Skeffington 1st Baronet died. He was buried at St Michael on Greenhill Church, Lichfield on 16th September 1635. His son John [aged 45] succeeded 2nd Baronet Skeffington of Fisherwick in Staffordshire.
On 22nd February 1876 James Thomas Law [aged 86] died. He was buried in a Mausoleum originally constructed for his wife Henrietta Charlotte Grey at St Michael on Greenhill Church, Lichfield. it resembles a canopied medieval tomb. The structure was surmounted by a clock with two dials which were illuminated at night by gas. The clock is now missing and the mausoleum somewhat overgrown.
In April 1683 Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet [aged 71] died at Greenwich, Kent [Map]. On 14th April 1683 he was buried at Stow Church Lichfield. His son Michael [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Baronet Biddulph of Westcombe in Kent.
Icknield Street 18c Wall to Derby. Leaving Letocetum, Staffordshire [Map] aka Wall the Icknield Way takes a new alignment through Lichfield [Map], Streethay [Map], past Alrewas, Staffordshire [Map], through Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire [Map], Toyota Island, Staffordshire [Map] crossing the River Derwent before reaching Derventio [Map] aka Derby.