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: Gordon
On 19th June 1762 William Dalrymple Crichton 5th Earl Dumfries 4th Earl of Stair [aged 63] and [his mother] Anne Duff Countess Dumfries [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Countess Dumfries. The difference in their ages was 39 years. He the son of Colonel William Dalrymple Earl Dumfries [aged 88] and Penelope Crichton 4th Countess of Dumfries.
In July 1769 [his father] Alexander Gordon [aged 30] and [his mother] Anne Duff Countess Dumfries [aged 31] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] William Gordon 2nd Earl Aberdeen and [his grandmother] Anne Gordon Duchess Mantua.
On 8th April 1772 William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] Alexander Gordon [aged 33] and [his mother] Anne Duff Countess Dumfries [aged 34].
On 13th March 1792 [his father] Alexander Gordon [aged 53] died. He was buried in the churchyard of St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh. The eroded family stone lies in the north-west corner close to the elaborate Gothic Bailey vault.
In 1807 William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet [aged 34] was elected MP Worcester which seat he held until 1818.
On 5th February 1810 William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet [aged 37] and Caroline Cornewall Lady Duff-Gordon [aged 21] were married. They had four children. She by marriage Lady Duff of Halkin in Aberdeenshire. He the son of Alexander Gordon and Anne Duff Countess Dumfries [aged 72].
On 3rd February 1811 [his son] Alexander Cornewall Duff-Gordon 3rd Baronet was born to William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet [aged 38] and [his wife] Caroline Cornewall Lady Duff-Gordon [aged 22]. He married 16th May 1840 Lucie Austin and had issue.
On 24th December 1811 [his mother] Anne Duff Countess Dumfries [aged 73] died.
On 23rd February 1812 [his son] Cosmo Lewis Duff Gordon was born to William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet [aged 39] and [his wife] Caroline Cornewall Lady Duff-Gordon [aged 23]. He married 8th November 1859 Anna-Maria Antrobus, daughter of Edmund Antrobus 2nd Baronet, and had issue.
On 12th November 1812 [his uncle] James Duff 1st Baronet [aged 78] was created 1st Baronet Duff of Halkin in Aberdeenshire with special remainder to his nephew, William Gordon [aged 40]
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.
In 1815 [his uncle] James Duff 1st Baronet [aged 81] died unmarried. His nephew William [aged 42] succeeded 2nd Baronet Duff of Halkin in Aberdeenshire at which time he adopted the surname Duff-Gordon.
On 8th March 1823 William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet [aged 50] died. His son Alexander [aged 12] succeeded 3rd Baronet Duff-Gordon of Halkin in Aberdeenshire.
In 1875 [his former wife] Caroline Cornewall Lady Duff-Gordon [aged 86] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 29 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Gordon
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Gordon
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Gordon 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Gordon 1st Earl Aberdeen
GrandFather: William Gordon 2nd Earl Aberdeen
Father: Alexander Gordon 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Gordon 2nd Marquess Huntly 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lewis Gordon 3rd Marquess Huntly 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anna Campbell Marchioness Huntly 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Gordon 1st Duke Gordon 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alexander Gordon 2nd Duke Gordon 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Howard 15th or 22nd Earl of Arundel 5th Earl of Surrey 2nd Earl Norfolk 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Howard 6th Duke of Norfolk 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Arundel and Norfolk 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Duchess Gordon 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Bickerton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Bickerton Duchess Norfolk
GrandMother: Anne Gordon Duchess Mantua 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Earl Peterborough 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Viscount Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess Peterborough 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Mordaunt 3rd Earl Peterborough 1st Earl Monmouth 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Carey Viscountess Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Smith
Great x 1 Grandmother: Henrietta Mordaunt Duchess Gordon 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alexander Fraser
Great x 2 Grandmother: Carey Fraser Countess Peterborough and Monmouth
William Duff-Gordon 2nd Baronet 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: William Duff of Crombie
Mother: Anne Duff Countess Dumfries