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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Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona was born to [her father] Fernán González Count Castile and [her mother] Sancha Sánchez.
Around 953 [her son] Bermudo "Gouty" II King Galicia II King Leon was born to King Ordoño III of Leon (age 27) and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona. He married (1) Elviro Garcia Queen Galicia and had issue (2) Velasquita Ramírez Queen Galicia and had issue.
Around 970 García I King Pamplona (age 51) died. Around 970 His son Sancho (age 32) succeeded II King Pamplona, Count Aragon. Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona by marriage Queen Consort Pamplona.
[her daughter] Urraca "Basque" Jiménez was born to Sancho II King Pamplona and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona.
[her daughter] Theresa Astur Leonese was born to King Ordoño III of Leon and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona.
[her son] Ordoño Astur Leonese was born to King Ordoño III of Leon and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona.
King Ordoño III of Leon and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona were married. She the daughter of Fernán González Count Castile and Sancha Sánchez. He the son of Ramiro II King Leon and Adosinda Gutiérrez Osóriz Queen Consort Leon.
Sancho II King Pamplona and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona were married. She the daughter of Fernán González Count Castile and Sancha Sánchez. He the son of García I King Pamplona and Andregoto Aznárez.
[her son] García Sánchez "Tremulous" II King Pamplona was born to Sancho II King Pamplona and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona. He married Jimena Fernández Bermúdez Queen Consort Pamplona and had issue.
[her son] Ramiro Jiménez was born to Sancho II King Pamplona and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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[her son] Gonzalo Jiménez was born to Sancho II King Pamplona and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona.
King Ordoño IV of Leon and Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of Fernán González Count Castile and Sancha Sánchez. He the son of King Alfonso IV of Leon and IV of Galicia and Oneca Jiménez Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Galicia.