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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Habsburg
Maternal Family Tree: Leonor de Alvim
On 13th September 1548 [her father] Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor (age 21) and [her mother] Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress (age 20) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Charles V Holy Roman Emperor (age 48) and [her grandmother] Isabel Aviz Queen Consort Spain. He the son of [her grandfather] Ferdinand I Holy Roman Emperor (age 45) and [her grandmother] Anne Jagiellon. They were first cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 5th July 1554 Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France was born to [her father] Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor (age 26) and [her mother] Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress (age 26). Coefficient of inbreeding 10.03%.
On 5th December 1560 Francis II King France King Consort Scotland (age 16) died, possibly from an ear abscess, in the Hotel Groslot, Orléans. On 23rd December 1560 he was buried at the Basilica of St Denis [Map]. His brother [her future husband] Charles (age 10) succeeded IX King France: Capet Valois Angoulême; his mother [her future mother-in-law] Catherine Medici Queen Consort France (age 41) acted as Regent. His wife Mary Queen of Scots (age 17) returned to Scotland arriving at Leith 19th August 1561 after having been in France for thirteen years.
On 14th May 1564 [her future husband] Charles IX King France (age 13) was appointed 348th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 30).
On 25th July 1564 [her grandfather] Ferdinand I Holy Roman Emperor (age 61) died at Vienna [Map]. His son [her father] Maximilian (age 36) succeeded II Holy Roman Emperor. [her mother] Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress (age 36) by marriage Holy Roman Empress. His son [her uncle] Ferdinand (age 35) succeeded II Archduke Austria. Philippine Welser Archduchess Austria (age 37) by marriage Archduke Austria.
On 25th July 1564 [her mother] Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress (age 36) was appointed Holy Roman Emperor.
In 1567 [her father] Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor (age 39) was appointed 351st Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 33).
In 1570 [her brother-in-law] Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain (age 42) and [her sister] Anna of Austria Queen Consort Spain (age 20) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Spain. The difference in their ages was 22 years. She the daughter of [her father] Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor (age 42) and [her mother] Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress (age 41). He the son of [her grandfather] Charles V Holy Roman Emperor and [her grandmother] Isabel Aviz Queen Consort Spain. They were uncle and niece. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 26th November 1570 Charles IX King France (age 20) and Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France (age 16) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor (age 43) and Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress (age 42). He the son of King Henry II of France and Catherine Medici Queen Consort France (age 51). They were fourth cousins.
In 1571 François Clouet (age 61). Portrait of Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France (age 16).
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 18th August 1572 Henry IV King France (age 18) and [her sister-in-law] Margaret Valois Queen Consort France (age 19) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of King Henry II of France and [her mother-in-law] Catherine Medici Queen Consort France (age 53). He the son of Antoine King Navarre and Jeanne Albret III Queen Navarre. They were second cousins.
On 30th May 1574 [her husband] Charles IX King France (age 23) died. His brother [her brother-in-law] Henry (age 22) succeeded III King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.
On 12th October 1576 [her father] Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor (age 49) died. His son [her brother] Rudolf (age 24) succeeded II Holy Roman Emperor.
In 1578 [her brother] Rudolf II Holy Roman Emperor (age 25) was appointed 363rd Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 44).
On 26th October 1580 [her sister] Anna of Austria Queen Consort Spain (age 30) died.
On 22nd January 1592 Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France (age 37) died.
[her daughter] Marie Elisabeth Valois was born to Charles IX King France and Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Louis X King France I Navarre
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ernest "The Iron" Habsburg I Duke Austria
Great x 3 Grandfather: Frederick "Peaceful or Fat" Habsburg III Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cymburgis Masovia Duchess Austria
Great x 2 Grandfather: Maximilian Habsburg I Holy Roman Emperor 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal 
Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Aviz Holy Roman Empress 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles "Bold" Valois Duke Burgundy 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Aviz Duchess Burgundy Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Valois Duchess Burgundy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Bourbon I Duke Bourbon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Bourbon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Valois Duchess Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Ferdinand I Holy Roman Emperor 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II King Aragon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Aragon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fadrique Enríquez Count Melgar Count Rueda 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juana Enríquez Queen Consort Aragon 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mariana Fernández Countess Melgar
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry III King Castile 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II King Castile Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Queen Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Prince John Aviz Constable Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella of Braganza 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Algirdas Grand Duke of Lithuania
Great x 3 Grandfather: Władysław II Jagiełło
Great x 4 Grandmother: Uliana of Tver
Great x 2 Grandfather: Casimir IV King Poland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Olshansky
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sophia of Halshany
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alexandra Drucka
Great x 1 Grandfather: Vladislaus II King Hungary 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Albert Habsburg IV Duke Austria
Great x 3 Grandfather: Albert Habsburg V Duke Austria 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joanna Sophia Wittelsbach Duchess Austria 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elisabeth Habsburg Queen Consort Poland 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund 
8 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Luxemburg Duchess Austria 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Barbara of Cilli Holy Roman Empress
GrandMother: Anne Jagiellon 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Gaston Foix
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Foix 1st Earl Kendal 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabelle Albret 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gaston de Foix 2nd Earl Kendal 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Kerdeston
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Kerdeston Countess Foix 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Pole 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anna Foix Queen Consort of Hungary and Bohemia 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John I Count Foix
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gaston IV Count Foix
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Albret Countess Foix
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine of Foix Countess Kendal 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John II King Aragon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Navarre 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Évreux Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ernest "The Iron" Habsburg I Duke Austria
Great x 3 Grandfather: Frederick "Peaceful or Fat" Habsburg III Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 4 Grandmother: Cymburgis Masovia Duchess Austria
Great x 2 Grandfather: Maximilian Habsburg I Holy Roman Emperor 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Aviz Holy Roman Empress 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles "Bold" Valois Duke Burgundy 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Aviz Duchess Burgundy Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Valois Duchess Burgundy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Bourbon I Duke Bourbon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Bourbon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Valois Duchess Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Charles V Holy Roman Emperor 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II King Aragon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Aragon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fadrique Enríquez Count Melgar Count Rueda 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juana Enríquez Queen Consort Aragon 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mariana Fernández Countess Melgar
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry III King Castile 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II King Castile Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Queen Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Prince John Aviz Constable Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella of Braganza 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Mother: Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King John I of Portugal 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand Aviz 2nd Duke Viseu 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King John I of Portugal 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Prince John Aviz Constable Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Aviz Duchess Viseu 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Afonso Aviz I Duke Braganza 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of Braganza 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatriz Pereira de Alvim
GrandMother: Isabel Aviz Queen Consort Spain 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II King Aragon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Aragon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Fadrique Enríquez Count Melgar Count Rueda 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juana Enríquez Queen Consort Aragon 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mariana Fernández Countess Melgar
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry III King Castile 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II King Castile Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Queen Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Prince John Aviz Constable Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella of Braganza 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England