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 Mary's Church, Fawsley is in Fawsley, Northamptonshire, Churches in Northamptonshire.
Various. Monuments to the Knightley Family in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
On 8th December 1534 Richard Knightley [aged 79] died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
After 8th December 1534. St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Monument to Richard Knightley [deceased] sculpted by Richard Parker of Burton on Trent. Gabled Headress. Chest with Weepers. Lancastrian Esses Collar with Big Esses. Angels Supporting Pillow.
Richard Knightley: In 1455 he was born to Richard Knightley in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. On 8th December 1534 Richard Knightley died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
After 8th May 1566. St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Elizabethan Period monument to Valentine Knightley [deceased] and Anne Ferrers.
Valentine Knightley: In 1495 he was born to Richard Knightley. Before 1566 Valentine Knightley and Anne Ferrers were married. On 8th May 1566 Valentine Knightley died
Anne Ferrers: In 1495 she was born to Edward Ferrers. On 12th December 1554 Anne Ferrers died.
On 1st September 1615 Richard Knightley [aged 82] died in Norton, Northamptonshire [Map]. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
On 9th December 1618 Valentine Knightley [aged 63] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Richard Knightley [aged 25] inherited Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire [Map].
On 8th November 1639 Richard Knightley [aged 46] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Richard Knightley [aged 36] inherited Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire [Map].
On 1st September 1650 Richard Knightley [aged 70] died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
On 31st March 1678 Richard Sanford was born to John Sanford of Nynehead Florey, Somerset [aged 40] and Elizabeth Knightley [aged 24]. He was baptised the same day. On 7th April 1678 he died. On 9th April 1638 he was buried at St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
John Sanford of Nynehead Florey, Somerset: In 1638 he was born. On 21st June 1670 he and Elizabeth Knightley were married at St Katharine Cree Church. In 1711 he died.
Elizabeth Knightley: On 8th July 1653 she was born to Lucius Knightley and Elizabeth Dent. On 26th September 1711 Elizabeth Knightley died.
On 22nd October 1691 Lucius Knightley [aged 68] died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. On 21st January 1710 Elizabeth Dent [aged 58] died. They were buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
Lucius Knightley: On 3rd April 1623 he was born to Richard Knightley in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. Before 22nd October 1691 Lucius Knightley and Elizabeth Dent were married.
Elizabeth Dent: On 2nd November 1632 she was born.
After 30th June 1695. St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Monument to Devereux Knightley [deceased].
Devereux Knightley: On 14th April 1676 he was born to Devereux Knightley and Elizabeth Crewe. On 30th June 1695 Devereux Knightley died.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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In September 1695 Elizabeth Waldron [aged 36] died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
On 29th November 1726 Lucius Knightley [aged 75] died unmarried. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
Lucius Knightley: Around 1651 he was born to Lucius Knightley and Elizabeth Dent. After 1651 Lucius Knightley and Jane Grey Benson were married. The difference in their ages was 33 years.
On 9th July 1728 Richard Knightley [aged 70] died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
Richard Knightley: On 24th February 1658 he was born to Lucius Knightley and Elizabeth Dent in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. Before 9th July 1728 Richard Knightley and Elizabeth Waldron were married. They were third cousin twice removed.
On 3rd December 1731 Jane Grey Benson [aged 47] died. Monument in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
Jane Grey Benson: In 1684 she was born to Henry Benson of Dodford and Elizabeth Grey.
On 20th August 1738 Lucius Knightley [aged 54] died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
On 2nd May 1754 Valentine Knightley [aged 35] died in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
On 11th June 1764 Deborah Knightley died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map].
After 28th January 1791. St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Monument to Lucius Knightley [deceased] and Charles Knightley sculpted by Richard "The Elder" Westmacott [aged 44].
Charles Knightley: On 29th October 1753 he was born to Valentine Knightley. On 28th June 1787 Charles Knightley died.
After 27th July 1856. St Mary's Church, Fawsley [Map]. Monument to Selina Mary Hervey Lady Knightley sculpted by John Gibson [aged 66].
Selina Mary Hervey Lady Knightley: she was born to Felton Hervey. On 24th August 1813 Charles Knightley 2nd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Knightley of Fawsley. On 27th July 1856 Selina Mary Hervey Lady Knightley died.
