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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Earl Bothwell is in Earl.
On 17th October 1488 Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell [aged 36] was created 1st Earl Bothwell. Janet Douglas Countess Bothwell by marriage Countess Bothwell.
On 21st February 1491 Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell [aged 39] and Margaret Gordon Countess Bothwell were married. She by marriage Countess Bothwell. She the daughter of George Gordon 2nd Earl Huntley [aged 35].
On 18th October 1508 Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell [aged 56] died. His son Adam succeeded 2nd Earl Bothwell.
In August 1511 Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell and Agnes Stewart Countess Bothwell [aged 42] were married. She by marriage Countess Bothwell. She the illegitmate daughter of James Stewart 1st Earl Buchan. He the son of Patrick Hepburn 1st Earl Bothwell and Margaret Gordon Countess Bothwell.
On 9th September 1513 at the Battle of Flodden was fought at the Branxton, Northumberland [Map]. the English army was commanded by Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk [aged 70], Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 40], Edmund Howard [aged 35], Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 45], Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 51] and Marmaduke Constable [aged 56].
The English army included: Henry "Shepherd Lord" Clifford 10th Baron Clifford [aged 59], William Conyers 1st Baron Conyers [aged 44], Thomas Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley [aged 41] and Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape [aged 45].
Father and son Ralph ellerker of risby in yorkshire and Ralph Ellerker were knighted by Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey, as were Marmaduke Constable [aged 33], William Constable [aged 38], George Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Aston [aged 16], Edmund Walsingham [aged 33], Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh [aged 25] and Walter Stonor [aged 36].
John Booth [aged 78], Randall Babington, John Bigod [aged 38] and Thomas Fitzwilliam [aged 39], Christopher Savage [aged 49], Thomas Venables [aged 44] and Brian Tunstall [aged 33] were killed.
Bryan Stapleton of Wighill [aged 55] was killed. (Some reports have him dying in 1518).
The Scottish army suffered heavy casualties:
King James IV of Scotland [aged 40] was killed. His body was taken to London, then to Sheen Priory, Richmond [Map]; thereafter it disappeared. His son James [aged 1] succeeded V King Scotland.
Archbishop Alexander Stewart [aged 20] was killed.
David Kennedy 1st Earl Cassilis [aged 43] was killed. His son Gilbert [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Cassilis. Isabel Campbell Countess Cassilis by marriage Countess Cassilis.
William Sinclair 2nd Earl Caithness [aged 54] was killed. His son John succeeded 3rd Earl Caithness.
Matthew Stewart 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Earl Lennox.
William Hay 4th Earl Erroll was killed. His son William [aged 18] succeeded 5th Earl Erroll.
John Douglas 2nd Earl Morton was killed. His son James succeeded 3rd Earl Morton, 6th Lord Dalkeith.
Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell was killed. His son Patrick [aged 1] succeeded 3rd Earl Bothwell.
Alexander Stewart 4th of Garlies [aged 32] was killed. His son Alexander [aged 6] succeeded 5th Lord Garlies.
Alexander Elphinstone 1st Lord Elphinstone was killed. His son Alexander [aged 3] succeeded 2nd Lord Elphinstone.
Thomas Hay, George Hepburn Bishop Isles [aged 59], Adam Hepburn Master [aged 56], Thomas "Younger of Cushnie" Lumsden
William Douglas 6th Lord Drumlanrig was killed. William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig succeeded 7th Lord Drumlanrig.
George Seton 5th Lord Seton was killed. His son George succeeded 6th Lord Seton.
John Hay 2nd Lord Hay of Yester was killed. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Lord Hay of Yester. Elizabeth Douglas Lady Hay by marriage Lord Hay of Yester.
Henry Sinclair 3rd Lord Sinclair [aged 48] was killed. His son William succeeded 4th Lord Sinclair.
James Stewart 1st Lord of Traquair [aged 33] was killed. His son William [aged 7] succeeded 2nd Lord Traquair.
John Maxwell 4th Lord Maxwell [aged 57] was killed. His son Robert [aged 20] succeeded 5th Lord Maxwell.
George Home 4th Lord Home and John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl [aged 38] fought.
William Graham 1st Earl Montrose [aged 49] was killed. His son William [aged 21] succeeded 2nd Earl Montrose.
Robert Erskine 4th Lord Erskine 16th Earl of Mar was killed. His son John [aged 26] de jure 17th Earl Mar, Lord Erskine.
Thomas Stewart 2nd Lord Innermeath [aged 52] was killed. His son Richard succeeded 3rd Lord Innermeath.
Robert Crichton 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar [aged 41] was killed. His son Robert [aged 22] succeeded 3rd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
Father and son William Rollo [aged 59] and Robert Rollo 5th of Duncrub [aged 34], brothers David Lyon of Cossins, William Lyon and George Lyon were killed. John Somerville 1st of Cambusnethan [aged 55], William Keith of Inverugie [aged 43], David Wemyss of Wemyss [aged 40], Robert Keith Master of Marischal [aged 30], Guiscard Harbottle [aged 28], John Erskine, David Home [aged 22], Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale [aged 43], Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll [aged 64], Robert Douglas of Lochleven [aged 89] were killed. William Murray [aged 43], Colin Oliphant [aged 26], William Ruthven [aged 33], George Douglas [aged 44] and William Douglas [aged 42] were killed. Walter Lindsay of Arden and Walter Lindsay [aged 33] were killed.
In 1534 Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell [aged 22] and Agnes Sinclair Countess Bothwell were married. She by marriage Countess Bothwell. He the son of Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell and Agnes Stewart Countess Bothwell [aged 65]. They were first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.
In September 1556 Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell [aged 44] died. His son James [aged 22] succeeded 4th Earl Bothwell.
In February 1566 James "Lord Bothwell" Hepburn 1st Duke Orkney [aged 32] and Jean Gordon Countess Bothwell and Sutherland [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Bothwell. She the daughter of George Gordon 4th Earl Huntley. He the son of Patrick Hepburn 3rd Earl Bothwell and Agnes Sinclair Countess Bothwell. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 1st December 1577 Francis Stewart 5th Earl Bothwell [aged 15] and Margaret Douglas Countess Bothwell were married. She by marriage Countess Bothwell. She the daughter of David Douglas 7th Earl Angus and Margaret Hamilton Countess Angus [aged 52]. They were half second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In April 1578 James "Lord Bothwell" Hepburn 1st Duke Orkney [aged 44] died at Dragsholm Castle. His nephew Francis [aged 15] succeeded 5th Earl Bothwell at Great Hall Stirling Castle.