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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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Common Pleas is in Miscellaneous.
John Evelyn's Diary. 25th June 1696. A trial in the Common Pleas between the Lady Purbeck Temple and Mr. Temple, a nephew of Sir Purbeck, concerning a deed set up to take place of several wills. This deed was proved to be forged. The cause went on my lady's side. This concerning my son-in-law, Draper, I stayed almost all day at Court. A great supper was given to the jury, being persons of the best condition in Buckinghamshire.
On 9th October 1591 Richard Brownlow (age 38) was appointed Chief Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas which office he held until heis death which made him a very wealthy.
In June 1668 Hugh May (age 46) was appointed Comptroller of the King's Works and Clerk to the Recognizances.
In 1514 Lewis Pollard (age 49) was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas which office he held until 1526.
In 1520 Richard Broke was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas.
On 5th November 1545 John Hynde (age 65) was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas.
On 10th May 1625 Henry Yelverton (age 58) was appointed the fifth Judge of the Common Pleas.
In 1686 John Powell (age 54) was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas.
On 10th November 1345 William de Shareshull (age 55) was appointed Second Justice of the Common Pleas.
In 1483 Roger Townshend (age 58) was appointed Third Justice of the Common Pleas followin the promotion of John Catesby (age 50) [presumably to Second Justice of the Common Pleas].
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 1484 Roger Townshend (age 59) was appointed Second Justice of the Common Pleas after the death of John Catesby (age 51).
In 1483 Roger Townshend (age 58) was appointed Third Justice of the Common Pleas followin the promotion of John Catesby (age 50) [presumably to Second Justice of the Common Pleas].