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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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Upton Great Barrow is in Upton Lovell, Wiltshire [Map], Wyle Valley Barrow Group.
Archaeologia Volume 15 Section XI Page 126. Heytesbury, June 29, 1803.
Sir
On my return from Stonehenge last Wednesday, (where I had been to open some barrows with Mr. Coxe) I was surprised to find a large string of beads, which had been taken out of the large barrow on Upton-Lovell Downs near you. This barrow is bell-shaped, surrounded with a deep ditch, and small vallum, the diameter at the base is 105 feet, its elevation 11 feet, and from its large size is called Upton Great Barrow [Map]. [e] On enquiry I found it had been opened in my absence by a labouring man, who is often employed, in digging flints on those Downs for the turnpike roads; his views were the hopes of finding treasure, but on finding nothing but burnt bones and the beads, he sent for me; but being absent, my brother and one of my daughters went, and having persuaded him to defist from further pursuits till my return, they brought away the beads. When I saw the barrow, I found he had made a large trench near the centre, when, at the depth of nearly eleven feet, he found a circular cist in the native chalk; this contained burnt human bones, with which were deposited 48 beads; of these 16 were of green and blue glass [f] "in long pieces notched between, so as to resemble a string of beads," 5 were of canal-coal or jet, and the remaining 57 of red amber; among the latter was one of a large size; the very small ones fell to pieces soon after their exposure to the air, but the large ones are in good preservation. Mr. Crocker has drawn a sample of each very accurately, as you will see on comparing. A neighbouring farmer, Mr. Baker of Chiltern, having brought two labourers to assist; these with the same man worked all day in making further researches, but we were not able to discover any thing else, except a variety of animal bones; and abundance of black ashes and charred wood. I am therefore of opinion that this large tumulus was erected over the remains of some illustrious female, for such the beads indicate; had there been more than one interment, I think we should certainly have discovered them, as we made some very large sections in those parts of the barrow where they are generally found.
I am very respectfully.
Sir,
Your faithful Servant,
William Cunnington.
Note e. I have accompanied this with a drawing of the barrow, and part of the beads, by Mr. Crocker, and request your acceptance of them.
Note f. Theese are finely coated with the Armatura acquired by lying a length of time in the earth.
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Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1913 V38 Pages 153-378. 1. (6) "Great Barrow [Map]," 1 mile S.W. of Knook Castle, 3 mile S. of Amesbury Rd., bell-shaped with ditch. Shallow cist in centre with burnt bones, and necklace of beads, 16 of cylindrical notched glass, 5 of lignite, 27 of amber. Stags' horns and quantities of ashes in body of mound. O.M. 52 SE.; A.W. 1.76 ; Stourhead Cat. 14 b, d. figs.