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.

King's Quoit, Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, South West Wales, British Isles [Map]

King's Quoit, Manorbier is in Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, Prehistoric Wales Neolithic Burials.

Archaeologia Cambrensis 1872 Pages 81-143. No. 2. The Manorbeer cromlech [King's Quoit, Manorbier [Map]] has been already described in the Third Series of the Arch. Camb., and by Sir Gardner Wilkinson in one of the Collectanea volumes of the British Archaeological Association. There are certain anomalous features about it which seem to render it a rather exceptional example. The capstone, 16 feet 9 inches long by 8 feet 6 inches broad, has one of its ends resting on a small block of stone, and the other on three low supporters nearly at right angles to each other. Immediately above the block of stone is a wall of limestone, which Sir Gardner thinks has furnished the capstone, the thickness of which is 1 ft. 9 ins. It lies to the north-east, and the entrance is at the north-eastern extremity. Sir Gardner Wilkinson thinks this may have been an exceptional case as regards its not having been enclosed in a mound or cairn, as the ground on both sides falls away too sharp to admit of one. Although in the present state of the spot on which it now stands, it would have been almost impossible to build any mound over it, yet who can say what changes may not have taken place since its erection, and that at one time this difficulty did not exist? At any rate it must have had some external protection if it were a grave, unless, as suggested by Sir Gardner, it is the cenotaph and monument of some chief who perished in the waters below. Still, however, it may be questioned whether an uncovered and imperfect structure as this could ever have been thought an appropriate honour worthy of a great chief; for the cenotaph, in any case, would be after the usual form and fashion of a tomb of that period, which these bare stones certainly did not represent.