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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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Around 1630 William Bruce 1st Baronet was born to [his father] Robert Bruce of Blairhall.
Around 1664 John Michael Wright (age 46). Portrait of William Bruce 1st Baronet (age 34).
In 1668 William Bruce 1st Baronet (age 38) was created 1st Baronet Bruce of Balcaskie.
Before 1671 [his son] John Bruce 2nd Baronet was born to William Bruce 1st Baronet (age 40) and [his wife] Mary Halkett Lady Bruce.
Before 1671 William Bruce 1st Baronet (age 40) and Mary Halkett Lady Bruce were married. She by marriage Lady Bruce of Balcaskie.
On 9th July 1681 James Graham 3rd Marquess Montrose (age 23) and [his future wife] Christian Leslie Marchioness Montrose (age 19) were married. She by marriage Marchioness Montrose. She the daughter of John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes (age 51) and [his future mother-in-law] Anne Lindsay Duchess Rothes. He the son of James Graham 2nd Marquess Montrose and Isabel Douglas Marchioness Montrose. They were half fourth cousins.
Before 1686 [his son-in-law] Thomas Hope 4th Baronet Hope and [his daughter] Anne Bruce were married.
Around 1687 William Bruce 1st Baronet (age 57) and Christian Leslie Marchioness Montrose (age 25) were married. The difference in their ages was 31 years. She the daughter of John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes and Anne Lindsay Duchess Rothes.
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.
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On 20th August 1700 [his sister-in-law] Margaret Leslie 8th Countess Rothes and Haddington died. Her son John (age 21) succeeded 9th Earl Haddington.
On 24th April 1707 [his step-son] James Graham 1st Duke Montrose (age 25) was created 1st Duke Montrose.
In 1710 [his wife] Christian Leslie Marchioness Montrose (age 48) died.
On 1st January 1710 William Bruce 1st Baronet (age 80) died. His son John (age 39) succeeded 2nd Baronet Bruce of Balcaskie.
[his daughter] Anne Bruce was born to William Bruce 1st Baronet and Mary Halkett Lady Bruce. She married (1) John Carstairs of Kilconquhar and had issue (2) before 1686 Thomas Hope 4th Baronet Hope.