William of Jumièges (also known as
Guillaume de Jumièges) was a contemporary of the events of 1066, and one of the earliest writers on the subject of the
Norman Conquest. He is himself a "shadowy figure", only known by his dedicatory letter to
King William as a monk of
Jumièges. "Since he also mentions that he was an eyewitness of some events from the reign of
Richard III (1026-7), it seems reasonable to assume that he was born some time about the year 1000. He probably entered the monastery during the first quarter of the eleventh century and received his education from Thierry de Mathonville." According to
Orderic Vitalis, William's nickname was "Calculus". The meaning behind this nickname is unknown. His death, after 1070, is unrecorded. He was a Norman writing from a Norman point of view. Although only a monk with evidently no military training, he wrote with pride in the accomplishments of his people.