Histoire des ducs de Normandie, suivie de: Vie de Guillaume le Conquérant

A vivid portrait of the early Norman dukes unfolds in this medieval chronicle, offering listeners a window into the turbulent rise of a people who would soon shape the destiny of France and England. Drawing on the work of Guillaume de Jumiège, the narrative blends the heroic legends that circulated in monastic circles with the hard‑won facts that survive in scarce records, giving a lively sense of the era’s politics, battles, and courtly intrigue. The first sections trace the lineage from the founding of the duchy through its most celebrated leaders, highlighting the cultural and social backdrop of 10th‑ and 11th‑century Normandy.

The companion biography of William the Conqueror continues the story, presenting the young duke’s ambitions, his strategic alliances, and the preparations that led to his famous crossing of the Channel. Listeners will hear the texture of contemporary chronicles, complete with the occasional medieval exaggeration, while gaining insight into how early historians balanced myth and reality. This blend of scholarly detail and narrative flair makes the work an engaging introduction to the origins of Norman power.