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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Earl Middlesex is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically.
Earl Middlesex is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1622. Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex (age 47) created.
6th August 1645. Son James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 24) succeeded.
16th September 1651. Brother Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 26) succeeded.
26th October 1674. Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex extinct.
In 1622 Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex (age 47) was created 1st Earl Middlesex. Anne Brett Countess Middlesex by marriage Countess Middlesex.
On 6th August 1645 Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex (age 70) died. His son James (age 24) succeeded 2nd Earl Middlesex, 2nd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire.
On 3rd March 1646 James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 25) and Anne Bourchier Countess Middlesex (age 15) were married. She by marriage Countess Middlesex. She the daughter of Edward Bourchier 4th Earl Bath and Dorothy St John Countess Bath. He the son of Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex and Anne Brett Countess Middlesex.
On 16th September 1651 James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 30) died. His brother Lionel (age 26) succeeded 3rd Earl Middlesex, 3rd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire.
On 1st May 1655 Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 30) and Rachael Fane Countess Bath and Middlesex (age 42) were married at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street. She by marriage Countess Middlesex. She the daughter of Francis Fane 1st Earl of Westmoreland and Mary Mildmay Countess of Westmoreland. He the son of Lionel Cranfield 1st Earl Middlesex and Anne Brett Countess Middlesex.
On 26th October 1674 Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex (age 49) died without issue. Earl Middlesex, Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Bedfordshire extinct.
Earl Middlesex is also in Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1675. Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 31) created.
29th January 1706. Son Lionel Cranfield Sackville 1st Duke Dorset (age 18) succeeded.
10th October 1765. Son Charles Sackville 2nd Duke Dorset (age 54) succeeded.
5th January 1769. Nephew John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset (age 23) succeeded.
19th July 1799. Son George Frederick Sackville 4th Duke Dorset (age 5) succeeded.
14th February 1815. First Cousin Once Removed Charles Sackville 5th Duke Dorset (age 47) succeeded.
29th July 1843. Charles Sackville 5th Duke Dorset extinct.
In 1675 Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 31) was created 1st Earl Middlesex, 1st Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex. His mother Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 53) was sister to the last Earl of Middlesex of the previous creation Lionel Cranfield 3rd Earl Middlesex whose estates he had inherited.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 7th March 1685 Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 42) and Mary Compton Countess Dorset and Middlesex (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess Dorset, Countess Middlesex. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of James Compton 3rd Earl of Northampton and Mary Noel Countess Northampton. He the son of Richard Sackville 5th Earl Dorset and Frances Cranfield Countess Dorset (age 63). They were half sixth cousins.
On 29th January 1706 Charles Sackville 6th Earl Dorset 1st Earl Middlesex (age 63) died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. His son Lionel (age 18) succeeded 7th Earl Dorset, 2nd Earl Middlesex, 7th Baron Buckhurst, 2nd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 10th October 1765 Lionel Cranfield Sackville 1st Duke Dorset (age 77) died at Knole House, Sevenoaks. His son Charles (age 54) succeeded 2nd Duke Dorset, 8th Earl Dorset, 3rd Earl Middlesex, 8th Baron Buckhurst, 3rd Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 5th January 1769 Charles Sackville 2nd Duke Dorset (age 57) died. His nephew John (age 23) succeeded 3rd Duke Dorset, 9th Earl Dorset, 4th Earl Middlesex, 9th Baron Buckhurst, 4th Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 19th July 1799 John Frederick Sackville 3rd Duke Dorset (age 54) died. His son George (age 5) succeeded 4th Duke Dorset, 10th Earl Dorset, 5th Earl Middlesex, 10th Baron Buckhurst, 5th Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 14th February 1815 George Frederick Sackville 4th Duke Dorset (age 21) died. His first cousin once removed Charles (age 47) succeeded 5th Duke Dorset, 11th Earl Dorset, 6th Earl Middlesex, 11th Baron Buckhurst, 6th Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex.
On 29th July 1843 Charles Sackville 5th Duke Dorset (age 75) died unmarried. He was buried in St Peter's Church, Lowick [Map]. Duke Dorset, Earl Dorset, Earl Middlesex, Viscount Sackville of Drayton in Sussex, Baron Buckhurst, Baron Cranfield of Cranfield in Middlesex and Baron Bolebrooke in Sussex extinct.