Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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Boston, Massachusetts is in Massachusetts.
See: Back Bay Railway Station, Brookline, Boston, Granary Burying Ground, Boston, , Milk Street, Boston, North End Boston, Massachusetts, Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1628 Edmund "The Puritan" Quincy [aged 26] visited Boston, Massachusetts.
On 4th September 1633 Edmund Quincy [aged 5] emigrated on the ship Griffin to Boston, Massachusetts.
In October 1635 Henry Vane "The Younger" [aged 22] arrived at Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1636 Samuel Whiting emigrated at Boston, Massachusetts.
On 5th April 1649 Elihu Yale was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
In 27th July 1660 Edward Whalley [aged 53] and his son-in-law, Major-General William Goffe [aged 55], another regicide, landed at Boston, Massachusetts. They lived, thereafter, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 24th September 1660. Office Day. From thence to dinner by coach with my wife to my Cozen Scott's, and the company not being come, I went over the way to the Barber's. So thither again to dinner, where was my uncle Fenner and my aunt, my father and mother, and others. Among the rest my Cozen Rich. Pepys1, their elder brother, whom I had not seen these fourteen years, ever since he came from New England. It was strange for us to go a gossiping to her, she having newly buried her child that she was brought to bed of. I rose from table and went to the Temple [Map] church, where I had appointed Sir W. Batten [aged 59] to meet him; and there at Sir Heneage Finch Sollicitor General's chambers, before him and Sir W. Wilde2, Recorder of London (whom we sent for from his chamber) we were sworn justices of peace for Middlesex, Essex, Kent, and Southampton; with which honour I did find myself mightily pleased, though I am wholly ignorant in the duty of a justice of peace. From thence with Sir William to Whitehall by water (old Mr. Smith with us) intending to speak with Secretary Nicholas about the augmentation of our salaries, but being forth we went to the Three Tuns tavern, where we drank awhile, and then came in Col. Slingsby [aged 49] and another gentleman and sat with us. From thence to my Lord's to enquire whether they have had any thing from my Lord or no.
Note 1. Richard Pepys, eldest son of Richard Pepys, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland. He went to Boston, Mass., in 1634, and returned to England about 1646.
Note 2. William Wilde, elected Recorder on November 3rd, 1659, and appointed one of the commissioners sent to Breda to desire Charles II to return to England immediately. He was knighted after the King's [aged 30] return, called to the degree of Serjeant, and created a baronet, all in the same year. In 1668 he ceased to be Recorder, and was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1673 he was removed to the King's Bench [Map]. He was turned out of his office in 1679 on account of his action in connection with the Popish Plot, and died November 23rd of the same year.
On or before 29th September 1677 William Dummer was born to Jeremiah Dummer [aged 32] and Anna Atwater at Boston, Massachusetts. He was baptised on 29 Sep 1677.
In 1683 Josiah Franklin [aged 25] emigrated to Boston, Massachusetts.
On 1st October 1683 John Hull [aged 58] died at Boston, Massachusetts.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1687 Thomas Hamilton died at Boston, Massachusetts.
On 22nd September 1710 James Allen [aged 78] died in Boston, Massachusetts.
On 24th May 1718 Jeremiah Dummer [aged 72] died at Boston, Massachusetts.
On 11th August 1721 Robert Temple [aged 27] and Mehitable Nelson [aged 30] were married at Boston, Massachusetts. They were second cousins.
In 1731 John Temple 8th Baronet was born to Robert Temple [aged 37] and Mehitable Nelson [aged 40] at Boston, Massachusetts.
On 3rd July 1738 John Singleton Copley was born. Probably in Boston, Massachusetts.
On 16th December 1773 the Boston Tea Party was the act by American Patriots defending their rights by destroying a shipment of tea owned by the East India Company by throwing it into Boston Harbour. It forms one of the foundation events of the American Revolution which commenced two years later.
On 10th April 1775 General William Loftus [aged 23] embarked at Cork [Map] for Boston, Massachusetts. He arrived on 24th May 1775.
On 17th June 1775 the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought as part of the siege of Boston, Massachusetts.
General William Loftus [aged 23] took part.
Jeremiah Dummer apprenticed to John Hull, the mintmaster at Boston, Massachusetts.
On 12th January 1921 Gervase Elwes [aged 54] was killed in a railway accident at the Back Bay Railway Station. Elwes and his wife [aged 52] had alighted on the platform when the singer attempted to return to the conductor an overcoat that had fallen off the train. He leaned over too far and was hit by the train, falling between the moving carriages and the platform. He died of his injuries a few hours later.
On 7th October 1914 Joseph Patrick Kennedy [aged 26] and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald [aged 24] were married at the private chapel of Archbishop William Henry O'Connell in Boston. After a two-week honeymoon, the couple settled at 83 Beals Street, Boston in the Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts.
On 29th May 1917 President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy [aged 28] and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald [aged 26] at 83 Beals Street, Boston.
On 2nd April 1751 John Smibert [aged 63] died. He was buried at the Granary Burying Ground, Boston.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 17th January 1706 Benjamin Franklin was born to Josiah Franklin [aged 48] at Milk Street, Boston.
On 22nd July 1890 Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald was born to John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald [aged 27] at 4 Garden Court North End Boston, Massachusetts. She married 7th October 1914 Joseph Patrick Kennedy and had issue.
Around 1632 Richard Dummer [aged 43] settled at Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1636 Shubael Dummer was born to Richard Dummer [aged 47] and Mary Bachiler at Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
On 23rd September 1647 Joseph Dudley was born to Thomas Dudley [aged 70] at Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts. He married 1668 Rebecca Tyng and had issue.
On 3rd September 1675 Paul Dudley was born to Joseph Dudley [aged 27] and Rebecca Tyng at Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
On 25th January 1751 Paul Dudley [aged 75] died at Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts. He was buried at Eliot Burying Ground Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
On 2nd April 1720 Joseph Dudley [aged 72] died. He was buried at Eliot Burying Ground Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
On 25th January 1751 Paul Dudley [aged 75] died at Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts. He was buried at Eliot Burying Ground Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.
Before 1690 Paul Dudley [aged 14] graduated at Roxbury Latin School Roxbury Boston, Massachusetts.