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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Chronicle of Gregory 1443 is in Chronicle of Gregory.
1443 [possibly 1442]. And that same year was a woman of Westemyster brentt at Toure-hylle [Map] for kyllynge of her hosbond.
1443 [possibly 1442]. Ande that same year there was founde in a walle in the Gylhalle [Map] a certayne some of mony, and alle in pense, and every peny weyde j d. ob., and some a goode dele more, and some more; and it was of many dyvers cunys [coins], for some were made yn London and some in Cheschyre, and some in Lancaster, and in many othyr dyvers placys of the londe, but alle was the kyngys owne kune [coin].
8th September 1443. And on the same year, the viij day of Septembyr, there was done a grete vyage yn Fraunce by the Duke of Somesette (age 40) and his retynowe; and at the same viage were slayne and takyn to the nombyr of iij M vij c [3700], whereof were ix lordys and a squyer, whyche that was a grete captayne.
1443. Ande in that year were streppettys1 i-dreve a-boute the Cytte of London whythe raye hodys. And in that same year one on the pelerry, the whyche wrought by a wycckyd spyryte, the whyche was callyd Oberycom, and the maner of his proces and werkyng was wretyn and hanggyd a bowte his necke whenne he was in the pellery.
Note 1. Strumpets.