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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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Whitby is in East Yorkshire.
Around 1156 Henry Percy was born to Jocelin Percy (age 35) and Agnes Percy 4th Baroness Percy Topcliffe (age 21) at Whitby. He married before 29th September 1198 Isabel Bruce.
In 1556 Henry Cholmley was born to Richard "The Great Black Knight of the North" Cholmeley (age 41) and Catherine Clifford Baroness Scrope Bolton (age 43) at Whitby. He married 1575 his third cousin Margaret Babthorpe and had issue.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 5th July 1557. At Whyttby, Thomas Warden and John Deyctam, skott.
In October 1580 Richard Cholmley was born to Henry Cholmley (age 24) and Margaret Babthorpe (age 22) at Whitby.
In 1598 Catherine Clifford Baroness Scrope Bolton (age 85) died at Whitby.
On 23rd September 1631 Richard Cholmley (age 50) died at Whitby.
Calendar of State Papers Charles II 14 Sep 1666. 14th September 1666. 111. Whitby. Thomas Waade to Williamson. The destruction of London by fire is reported to be a hellish contrivance of the French, Hollanders, and fanatic party. At the first notice of it there, the trained bands were in arms, those for the North Rriding endezvousing at Malton, Sir Jordan Crosland's regiment at Easingwold, and Sir Thomas Strickland's foot company was sent to guard Whitby. The coun- try being alarmed with the men-of-war, Alderman Shipton of Lythe raised 200 men ina moment, with such arms as they could get who were very willing to engage the enemy if they durst land, but seeing such a flocking of people, they weighed anchor, and are cruising off, expecting laden colliers from Newcastle or Sunderland.
In August 1684 Hugh Cholmley was born to Nathaniel Cholmley at Whitby. He married before 15th November 1721 Katherine Wentworth, daughter of Henry Wentworth and Mary Lowther Lady Wentworth, and had issue.
Around 1st September 1881 Alfred Jerome Vassalli was born to John Vassalli of Scarborough at Whitby. He married 3rd September 1902 Annie Pembroke Reynolds and had issue.
On 16th December 1914 the German Navy bombarded Scarborough, North Yorkshire [Map], Hartlepool and Whitby.
Two shore guns fired at the leading ship, while the third fired at the last, smaller, vessel. The gunners were hampered by a rising cloud of smoke and dust around them, affecting visibility. They found their shells had no effect on the armoured sides of the ships, so instead aimed at masts and rigging. The accuracy of the third gun was sufficient to oblige Blücher to move behind the lighthouse to prevent further hits.
The German ships fired 1,150 shells into Hartlepool, striking targets including the steelworks, gasworks, railways, seven churches and 300 houses. People fled the town by road and attempted to do so by train; 86 civilians were killed and 424 injured. The death of Private Theophilus Jones of the Durham Light Infantry, age 29, was the first death of a British soldier from enemy action on British soil for 200 years.
The raid caused a great scandal in Britain, became a rallying cry against Germany for its attack upon civilians. The attack became part of a British propaganda campaign; 'Remember Scarborough' was used on army recruitment posters
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On 21st July 1632 Hugh Cholmley 4th Baronet was born to Hugh Cholmley 1st Baronet (age 31) and Elizabeth Twysden Lady Cholmley at Fyling Hall. He married 19th February 1666 Anne Compton Lady Rushout, daughter of Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton and Mary Beaumont Countess of Northampton, and had issue.
On 11th March 1791 Nathaniel Cholmley (age 69) died. Catherine Cholmley (age 39) inherited Whitby Manor.
On 3rd February 1818 Catherine Cholmley (age 66) died. Robert Grimes inherited Whitby Manor.
In or before 1865 Robert Grimes died. George Strickland 7th Baronet (age 82), son of Henrietta Cholmley Lady Strickland, inherited Whitby Manor. He changed his name with royal licence to Cholmley
On 23rd January 1874 George Strickland 7th Baronet (age 91) died. His son Charles (age 54) succeeded 8th Baronet Strickland of Boynton in Yorkshire. Esther Ann Strickland inherited Whitby Manor