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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Biography of Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 1311-1350

Paternal Family Tree: Ivrea

Maternal Family Tree: Beatrice of Albon Duchess Burgundy 1161-1228

On 23rd January 1302 [his father] Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [age 16] and [his mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [age 12] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Denis I King Portugal [age 40] and [his grandmother] Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal [age 31]. He the son of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 13th August 1311 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile was born to [his father] Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [age 25] and [his mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [age 21]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.60%.

On 7th September 1312 [his father] Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [age 26] died. His son Alfonso [age 1] succeeded XI King Castile.

On 18th November 1313 [his mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [age 23] died.

In 1325 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 13] and Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [age 9] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. The marriage was annulled in 1327; there was no issue from the marriage. He the son of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1325 the marriage of Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet [age 6] to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 13] was discussed but not pursued.

In 1328 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 16] and Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 36] and Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 35]. He the son of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were double first cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1331 [his illegitimate son] Sancho Alfonso Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 19] and Eleanor Guzman.

In 1332 [his son] Ferdinand Ivrea was born to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 20] and [his wife] Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 19]. Coefficient of inbreeding 14.45%. He died aged one in 1333.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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In 1333 [his son] Ferdinand Ivrea [age 1] died.

In 1334 [his illegitimate son] Pedro Alfonso Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 22] and Eleanor Guzman.

On 13th January 1334 [his illegitimate son] Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 22] and Eleanor Guzman. He was one of twins.

On 13th January 1334 [his illegitimate son] Fadrique Alfonso Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 22] and Eleanor Guzman at Seville.

On 30th August 1334 [his son] Peter "Cruel" I King Castile was born to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 23] and [his wife] Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 21]. Coefficient of inbreeding 14.45%. He married July 1353 his third cousin once removed Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile, daughter of Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon and Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon.

In 1336 [his illegitimate son] Fernando Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 24] and Eleanor Guzman.

In 1337 [his illegitimate son] Tello Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 25] and Eleanor Guzman.

In 1338 [his illegitimate son] Pedro Alfonso Ivrea [age 4] died.

On 24th August 1340 [his brother-in-law] Peter I King Portugal [age 20] and [his wife] Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [age 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of [his uncle] Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 49] and [his aunt] Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 47]. They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

In 1341 [his illegitimate son] Juan Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 29] and Eleanor Guzman.

In 1342 [his illegitimate daughter] Juana Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 30] and Eleanor Guzman.

In 1343 [his illegitimate son] Sancho Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 31] and Eleanor Guzman.

In 1345 [his illegitimate son] Pedro Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 33] and Eleanor Guzman.

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.

On 15th November 1347 Peter IV King Aragon [age 28] and [his sister-in-law] Eleanor Burgundy Queen Consort Aragon [age 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of [his uncle] Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 56] and [his aunt] Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 54]. He the son of Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. They were second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 13th January 1349 [his wife] Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [age 33] died.

In or before 1350 [his brother-in-law] Peter I King Portugal [age 29] and Inês Castro [age 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. There is some uncertainty as to whether they were married. He announced their marriage in 1357 after he succeeded, and after her death, thereby ensuring their children were legitimate. He the son of [his uncle] Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 58] and [his aunt] Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 56].

Around 1350 [his illegitimate son] Fernando Ivrea [age 14] died.

The Black Death

On 26th March 1350 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 38] died of plague. His son Peter [age 15] succeeded I King Castile.

On 18th January 1357 [his former wife] Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 44] died.

Royal Ancestors of Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 1311-1350

Kings Wessex: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Godwinson: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 16 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 13 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 1311-1350
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile [1]

Peter "Cruel" I King Castile [1]

Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon [1]

Juana Enríquez Queen Consort Aragon [1]

Ancestors of Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 1311-1350

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Leon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Urraca Burgundy Queen Consort Leon

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile

Great x 3 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon

Great x 2 Grandfather: James I King Aragon

Great x 1 Grandmother: Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes of Antioch

Great x 2 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon

Father: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Fat" II King Portugal

Great x 4 Grandfather: Raymond V Count Barcelona

Great x 3 Grandmother: Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal

Great x 1 Grandfather: Alfonso III King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho III King Castile

Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile

Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile

Great x 2 Grandmother: Urraca Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

GrandFather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Mayor Guillén de Guzmán

Mother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon

Great x 2 Grandfather: James I King Aragon

Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes of Antioch

Great x 2 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon

GrandMother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Manfred King Sicily

Great x 3 Grandmother: Bianca Lancia

Great x 1 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy

Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Marchioness of Saluzzo 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh III Duke Burgundy 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Burgundy Countess Savoy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice of Albon Duchess Burgundy