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.
Weimar is in Thuringia.
On 7th October 1561 Maria Wettin was born to Johann Wilhelm Wettin Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 31] and Dorothea Susanne Palatine Duchess Saxe Weimar at Weimar.
On 25th April 1562 Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar was born to Johann Wilhelm Wettin Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 32] and Dorothea Susanne Palatine Duchess Saxe Weimar at Weimar. He married (1) 5th May 1583 his third cousin once removed Sophie of Württemberg Duchess of Saxe-Weimar and had issue (2) 9th September 1591 his fourth cousin once removed Anna Maria Countess Palatine of Neuburg and had issue.
On 7th November 1563 Sibylle Marie Wettin was born to Johann Wilhelm Wettin Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 33] and Dorothea Susanne Palatine Duchess Saxe Weimar at Weimar. She died aged five in 1569.
On 9th October 1564 Stillborn Wettin was born to Johann Wilhelm Wettin Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 34] and Dorothea Susanne Palatine Duchess Saxe Weimar at Weimar.
On 8th May 1584 Dorothea Marie Wettin was born to Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 22] and Sophie of Württemberg Duchess of Saxe-Weimar [aged 20] at Weimar. She died aged two in 1586.
On 9th September 1586 Dorothea Marie Wettin [aged 2] died at Weimar.
On 26th September 1586 Friedrich Wettin was born to Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 24] and Sophie of Württemberg Duchess of Saxe-Weimar [aged 22] at Weimar. He died aged less than one years old.
On 19th January 1587 Friedrich Wettin died at Weimar.
On 19th December 1587 Dorothea Sophia Wettin was born to Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 25] and Sophie of Württemberg Duchess of Saxe-Weimar [aged 24] at Weimar.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 31st March 1589 Anna Marie Wettin was born to Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 26] and Sophie of Württemberg Duchess of Saxe-Weimar [aged 25] at Weimar.
On 31st March 1597 John Wettin was born to Johann Wettin II Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 26] and Dorothea Maria Anhalt at Weimar. He died aged seven in 1604.
On 7th July 1602 Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 40] died at Weimar. His son Friedrich [aged 3] succeeded Duke Saxe Altenburg.
On 7th February 1603 Frederick William Wettin was born to Johann Wettin II Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 32] and Dorothea Maria Anhalt at Weimar.
On 12th February 1603 Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin II Duke Saxe Altenburg was born to Friedrich Wilhelm Wettin I Duke Saxe Weimar and Anna Maria Countess Palatine of Neuburg [aged 27] at Weimar.
On 6th August 1604 Bernhard Wettin was born to Johann Wettin II Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 34] and Dorothea Maria Anhalt at Weimar.
On 6th October 1604 John Wettin [aged 7] died at Weimar.
On 14th April 1606 Johanna Wettin was born to Johann Wettin II Duke Saxe Weimar and Dorothea Maria Anhalt at Weimar. He died aged three in 1609.
On 3rd July 1609 Johanna Wettin [aged 3] died at Weimar.
On 17th October 1628 John Frederick Wettin [aged 28] died at Weimar.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 18th September 1638 Johann Ernest Saxe Gotha was born to Ernest "The Pious" Saxe Gotha I Duke Saxe Gotha [aged 36] and Elisabeth Sophie Saxe Altenburg Duchess Saxe Gotha [aged 18] at Weimar. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.17%. He died aged less than one years old.
On 27th November 1638 Johann Ernest Saxe Gotha died at Weimar.
On 10th February 1645 Dorothea Sophia Wettin [aged 57] died at Weimar.
On 17th May 1662 William Wettin Duke Saxe Weimar [aged 64] died at Weimar.