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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1413 Death of King Henry IV Accession of Henry V
1414 Henry V awards his brothers Dukedoms
Around 1381 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden was born.
In 1389 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 8] was appointed King Norway.
In 1396 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 15] was appointed King Sweden.
In 1396 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 15] was appointed King of Denmark.
On 17th June 1397 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 16] was crowned King Norway, King of Denmark, King Sweden at Kalmar.
Around 1405 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 24] was appointed 110th Knight of the Garter by [his future father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 37].
On 26th October 1406 [his wife] Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [aged 12] by marriage Queen Consort Denmark.
On 26th October 1406 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 25] and Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [aged 12] were married. She the daughter of King Henry IV of England [aged 39] and Mary Bohun.
In November 1411 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Lancaster 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 24] and Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence [aged 26] were married. She the daughter of Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent and Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent [aged 61]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 44] and Mary Bohun. They were first cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
In 1412 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Lancaster 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 24] was created 1st Duke Clarence by [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 44]. Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence [aged 27] by marriage Duchess Clarence.
On 20th March 1413 [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 45] died in the Jerusalem Chamber, Cheyneygates, Westminster Abbey [Map] in Westminster Abbey confirming a prophesy that he would die in Jerusalem. His son [his brother-in-law] Henry [aged 26] succeeded V King of England. His sons King Henry V of England and Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 22] were present. He was buried in the Chancel of Canterbury Cathedral [Map].
On 16th May 1414 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 27] created Dukedoms for his two brothers:
Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 23] was created 1st Duke Gloucester, 1st Earl Pembroke.
John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 24] was created 1st Duke Bedford, 1st Earl Kendal.
On 25th October 1415 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 29] defeated a French army at the Battle of Agincourt.
The battle is described by three Chroniclers who were present:
Jean de Waurin: "1, the author of this work, know the truth of the matter, for in that assembly I was among the French".
Jean le Fevre de St Remy: "I who write this, seated on a horse among the baggage at the rear of the battle, along with the other priests who were present".
The anonymous author of the 
Gesta Henrici Quinti i.e. Deeds of Henry V: "while I was on the other side with the English".
Thomas Camoys 1st Baron Camoys [aged 64] commanded the Rearguard. Richard de Vere 11th Earl of Oxford [aged 30] commanded. Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 25] was wounded, and was protected by his brother King Henry V of England.
Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle [aged 42], commander of the Vanguard, was killed; the most senior English casualty. Duke Albemarle, Earl of Rutland and Earl Cork extinct. His nephew Richard [aged 4] succeeded 3rd Duke York and inherited his estates including Conisbrough Castle [Map].
John Fortescue [aged 35], Dafydd Gam Brecon [aged 35] and Edward Burnell [aged 44] and Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine [aged 38] were killed.
Michael de la Pole 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 21] was killed. His brother William [aged 19] succeeded 4th Earl Suffolk, 4th Baron Pole.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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On 18th November 1416 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 39] was created 1st Duke Exeter by [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 30] for the remainder of his natural life for 'his service to the king and the realm on both sides of the seas'. At the time the only other dukes were the King's brothers.
On 2nd June 1420 [his brother-in-law] Henry V [aged 33] and Catherine of Valois [aged 18] were married at Troyes Cathedral [Map]. She the daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France [aged 51] and Isabeau Wittelsbach Queen Consort France [aged 50]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
In October 1421 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 35] commenced the Siege of Meaux. John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke [aged 57] fought. His son John Cornwall [aged 18] was killed; his head being blown off by a cannon ball witnessed by his father. Meaux [Map] was eventually captured on 11th May 1422.
On 31st August 1422 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 35] died at Château de Vincennes, possibly from dysentery, possibly from heatstroke. John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 21] brought the body back to England. His son Henry succeeded VI King of England.
Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 45] was appointed Governor to King Henry VI of England and II of France.
Around 1423 [his brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 32] and Jacqueline Wittelsbach Duchess Brabant and Gloucester [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of William Wittelsbach IV Count Holland VI Count Hainaut V Count Zeeland and Margaret Valois Countess Holland [aged 48]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 13th May 1423 [his brother-in-law] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 33] and Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford [aged 18] were married at Troyes, France [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Bedford She the daughter of John "Fearless" Valois Duke Burgundy and Margaret Wittelsbach Duchess Burgundy. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 17th August 1424 the English forces led by [his brother-in-law] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 35] inflicted a significant defeat on the French and Scottish army at the Battle of Verneuil; a second Agincourt. For the English Edmund Hungerford [aged 15], Ralph Longford [aged 23], John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 41] and Richard Waller [aged 29] fought.
On the French and Scottish side Pierre Valois, Archibald Douglas 1st Duke Touraine [aged 52], his son James Douglas, William Seton Master of Seton [aged 34], Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas [aged 56] were killed
John Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan [aged 43] was killed. His brother Robert [aged 39] de jure Earl Ross and Earl Buchan although he didn't claim the title since both titles had reverted to the Crown.
Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 34] fought.
In 1428 [his brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 37] and Jacqueline Wittelsbach Duchess Brabant and Gloucester [aged 26] marriage annulled.
In 1428 [his brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 37] and Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester [aged 28] were married. She by marriage Duchess Gloucester. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were sixth cousins.
On 5th January 1430 [his wife] Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [aged 35] died at Cloister Church, Vadstena, Linköping.
On 24th September 1459 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 78] died.