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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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St Clement Danes Church, Westminster is in St Clement Danes, Churches in Westminster.
In 1603 Gilbert Wright and Margery Gogyn aka Wright were married at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map].
On 21 or 22nd June 1604 Johnathan Trelawny (age 35) died, while Parliament was in session. The Journal of the House of Commons records that the House was informed of his death the following day: he "being suddenly suffocated with a flux of blood, which came by breaking a vein with vehement coughing, and was said to found sick and dead within quarter of an hour"; the House of Commons voted to attend his funeral at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map], an unusual mark of respect.
On 28th October 1633 Anne Doyley Baroness Gower died. She was buried at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map].
On 29th September 1653 Colonel Richard Thornhill and Joanna Granville (age 17) were married at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map].
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 28th January 1660. Saturday. I went to Mr Downing (age 35) and carried him three characters, and then to my office and wrote another, while Mr. Frost staid telling money. And after I had done it Mr. Hawly came into the office and I left him and carried it to Mr Downing, who then told me that he was resolved to be gone for Holland this morning. So I to my office again, and dispatch my business there, and came with Mr. Hawly to Mr Downing's lodging, and took Mr. Squib from White Hall in a coach thither with me, and there we waited in his chamber a great while, till he came in; and in the mean time, sent all his things to the barge that lay at Charing-Cross Stairs. Then came he in, and took a very civil leave of me, beyond my expectation, for I was afraid that he would have told me something of removing me from my office; but he did not, but that he would do me any service that lay in his power. So I went down and sent a porter to my house for my best fur cap, but he coming too late with it I did not present it to him. Thence I went to Westminster Hall [Map], and bound up my cap at Mrs. Michell's, who was much taken with my cap, and endeavoured to overtake the coach at the Exchange [Map] and to give it him there, but I met with one that told me that he was gone, and so I returned and went to Heaven1, where Luellin and I dined on a breast of mutton all alone, discoursing of the changes that we have seen and the happiness of them that have estates of their own, and so parted, and I went by appointment to my office and paid young Mr. Walton £500; it being very dark he took £300 by content. He gave me half a piece and carried me in his coach to St. Clement's [Map], from whence I went to Mr. Crew's (age 62) and made even with Mr. Andrews, and took in all my notes and gave him one for all. Then to my Lady Wright and gave her Lord's (age 34) letter which he bade me give her privately. So home and then to Will's for a little news, then came home again and wrote to Lord, and so to Whitehall and gave them to the post-boy. Back again home and to bed.
Note 1. A place of entertainment within or adjoining Westminster Hall [Map]. It is called in "Hudibras", "False Heaven, at the end of the Hall". There were two other alehouses near Westminster Hall, called Hell and Purgatory. "Nor break his fast In Heaven and Hell". Ben Jonson's Alchemist, act V. SC. 2.
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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 24th November 1661. Lord's Day. Up early, and by appointment to St. Clement Danes [Map] to church, and there to meet Captain Cocke, who had often commended Mr. Alsopp, their minister, to me, who is indeed an able man, but as all things else did not come up to my expectations. His text was that all good and perfect gifts are from above.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th June 1665. So, weary, home, and to my office a while, till almost midnight, and so to bed. The plague encreases mightily, I this day seeing a house, at a bitt-maker's over against St. Clement's Church [Map], in the open street, shut up; which is a sad sight.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 11th December 1666. After dinner my wife and I by coach to St. Clement's Church [Map], to Mrs. Turner's (age 43) lodgings, hard by, to take our leaves of her. She is returning into the North to her children, where, I perceive, her husband (age 53) hath clearly got the mastery of her, and she is likely to spend her days there, which for her sake I am a little sorry for, though for his it is but fit she should live where he hath a mind. Here were several people come to see and take leave of her, she going to-morrow: among others, my Lady Mordant (age 28), which was Betty Turner (age 13), a most homely widow, but young, and pretty rich, and good natured.
On 12th March 1699 John Sheffield 1st Duke of Buckingham and Normanby (age 50) and Catherine Greville Duchess Buckingham and Normandby were married at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map]. She by marriage Countess Mulgrave. He the son of Edmund Sheffield 2nd Earl Mulgrave and Elizabeth Cranfield Countess Mulgrave (age 91). They were sixth cousins.
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 29th January 1736 George Granville 1st Baron Lansdowne (age 69) died. He was buried at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map]. His wife Mary Villiers Baroness Lansdowne had died twelve days before. Baron Lansdowne of Bideford in Devon extinct.
On 25th August 1802 Charles John Cary 9th Viscount Falkland (age 33) and Christiana Anton Viscountess Falkland were married at St Clement Danes Church, Westminster [Map]. She by marriage Viscountess Falkland.