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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Annales Cambriae is in Late Medieval Books.
1136. In the year of our Lord 1136, Richard son of Gilbert was slain by Morgan son of Owain. Owain and Cadwaladr, sons of Gruffydd, raised an army in Ceredigion, and having destroyed the castle of Walter de Bec, the castle of Aberystwyth, the castle of Richard de la Mare, and Dineirth, they also burned Caerwedros, and so returned to their own lands.
1136. Annus MCXXXVI. Ricliardus filius Gilberti a Morgano filio Owyni occisus est. Owinus et Catwaladrus filii Grifini exercitum in Karedigeaun movent, et castello Walteri de Bek; et castello Aberystuit, et castello Ricardi de la Mar, et Dineirth destructis, Kairwedros quoque combusserunt, et sic ad propria reversi sunt.
[10th October 1136] Later, Owain (age 36) and Cadwaladr (age 36) again came into Ceredigion, and to their aid came Gruffydd (age 55) son of Rhys, Rhys son of Hywel, Madog son of Idnerth, and the sons of Hywel, who mustered in strength at Aberteifi (Cardigan). Against them stood Stephen the Constable, the sons of Gerald, and all the Normans from the Severn Sea as far as St Davids, together with the Flemings of Rhos. A battle was fought before the castle [Map]: the Normans and Flemings were put to flight; some were captured, some killed, some burned, some trampled under horses' hooves, others drowned in the river Teifi, and very many were led away into wretched captivity. The Welsh, having accomplished their aims, returned to their own lands, the castle remaining in the hands of the Normans. [Einion son of Owain was slain there.]
Owinus et Catwaladrus iterum ad Keredigean venerunt, quibus in adjutorium Grifinus filius Eesi, et Resus filius Hoeli, et Madocus filius Idnerth, et filii Hoeli ad Abertewy potenter venerunt; quibus ex alia parte resisterunt Steplianus constabularius et filii Geraldi et omnes Franci ab hoste Sabrinse usque ad Meneviam, et Flandrenses de Ros: et prœlio coram castellum inito, Franci et Flandrenses in fugam versi capti sunt, occisi sunt, combusti et equorum pedibus conculcati et in fluvio Tewy submersi sunt, plurimi in captivitatem miserrime ducti Walenses vero his ad votum peractis, in sua redierunt, castello Francis remanente. [Eynaun filius Owein ibi occiditur.]