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: Douglas
Before 10th August 1887 [his father] Admiral Francis Charles Methuen Noel [aged 35] and [his mother] Wilmot Juliana Snow were married.
On 12th November 1892 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel was born to [his father] Admiral Francis Charles Methuen Noel [aged 40] and [his mother] Wilmot Juliana Snow.
In 1905 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 12] joined the Royal Naval College, Osborne
On 15th April 1915 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 22] was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
On 3rd February 1916 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 23] was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal for lifesaving at sea, in this case an R.N.R. stoker in Hindustan.
In December 1917 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 25] was awarded a clasp to his Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal for a second incident at Immingham.
On 15th October 1923 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 30] was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.
On 30th December 1925 [his father] Admiral Francis Charles Methuen Noel [aged 73] died at his home, 33 Redcliffe Square, London
In or before 1927 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 34] and Christabel Florence Arthur Startin [aged 31] were married.
On 10th November 1939 [his mother] Wilmot Juliana Snow died at 2 Childs Street, London, the home of her daughter [his sister] Mary Penelope Noel [aged 52].
On 6th April 1941 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel [aged 48] was killed in action while on Convoy duty in the English channel. HMS Torrent, Surprise, Tornado and Radiant ran into a German minefield, with Torrent striking a German mine. Surprise and Tornado went to rescue Torrent's crew, but Torrent struck a second mine and quickly sank. In an attempt to rescue survivors, Surprise and Tornado also struck mines and sank. Only Radiant was undamaged and picked up the survivors from the three ships. In total, 12 officers and 240 other ranks were killed from the three ships. Only three of Torrent's crew survived, with 68 killed.
Memorial at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map].
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 27th December 1965 [his former wife] Christabel Florence Arthur Startin [aged 70] died.
Memorial at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map].
Christabel Florence Arthur Startin: On 19th January 1895 she was born. In or before 1927 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel and she were married.
Kings Wessex: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 26 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 32 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 30 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anne Hamilton 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gerard Edwardes of Welham Grove 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Edwards
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gerard Edwardes aka Noel 2nd Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baptist Noel 4th Earl Gainsborough 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Noel 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Chapman Countess Gainsborough
Great x 1 Grandfather: Reverend Francis James Noel 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Middleton of Bo'ness
Great x 3 Grandfather: Admiral Charles Middleton 1st Baron Barham
Great x 4 Grandmother: Helen Dundas 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Diana Middleton 2nd Baroness Barham
GrandFather: Colonel Edward Andrew Noel 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Father: Admiral Francis Charles Methuen Noel 15 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel 16 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Wilmot Juliana Snow