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.
Geology Artefacts is in Prehistoric Artefacts.
Wiltshire Museum. DZSWS:STHEAD.70e. 3 segmented faience beads (2 four segment & 1 three segment bead) found with a wrapped primary cremation under an inverted urn in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G67 [Map], excavated by William Cunnington.
Wiltshire Museum. DZSWS:STHEAD.329a. 4 segmented faience beads found with a primary cremation under an inverted MBA urn in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G68 [Map], excavated by William Cunnington.
Diary of a Dean by Merewether. No. 13, of very trifling elevation compared with the depth at which the cist was found—3 feet. Many fragments of early pottery, teeth of red deer and ox, a bead (O) of jet or Kimmeridge coal, and nine very smooth gravel pebbles, probably for slinging. The cist, filled with burnt human bones, but without an urn, was 3 ft. 6 in. long by? ft. wide, and 2 ft. deep.
Wiltshire Museum. DZSWS:STHEAD.70. 5 rings of Kimmeridge shale (one of which was perforated for suspension) found with a wrapped primary cremation under an inverted urn in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G67 [Map], excavated by William Cunnington.
Wiltshire Museum. DZSWS:STHEAD.70a. 1 conical button of Kimmerage shale (v-bored on base) found with a wrapped primary cremation under an inverted urn in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G67 [Map], excavated by William Cunnington.
Wiltshire Museum. DZSWS:STHEAD.329. 2 rings of Kimmerage shale found with a primary cremation under an inverted MBA urn in disc barrow Winterbourne Stoke G68 [Map], excavated by William Cunnington.
Wiltshire Museum. DZSWS:STHEAD.264h. 1 fragment of stonehenge diabase (preselite) found with a primary cremation (woman?) in an upright collared urn in bowl barrow Winterbourne Stoke G28 [Map], excavated by H. Cunnington.