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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Paternal Family Tree: Wheler
Around 1620 Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] William Wheler of Martin Husingtree in Worcestershire and [his mother] Eleanor Polkston (age 27).
On 18th April 1644 Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 24) was ejected from Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map]. The reason is now known.
On 7th August 1648 Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 28) and Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 22) were married.
In or before 1653 [his son] Major Trevor Wheler was born to Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 32) and [his wife] Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 26).
In 1654 [his son] William Wheeler 3rd Baronet was born to Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 34) and [his wife] Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 28). He married 15th January 1696 Teresa Widdrington and had issue.
Around 1658 [his son] Admiral Francis Wheler was born to Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 38) and [his wife] Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 32). He married 12th November 1685 Arabella Clifton.
In 1660 Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 40) was appointed Gentleman of the Privy Chamber.
In August 1660 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) rewarded those who supported his Restoration by awarding them Baronetcies...
On 2nd August 1660 Hugh Smithson 1st Baronet (age 62) was created 1st Baronet Smithson of Stanwick in Yorkshire.
On 10th August 1660 Peter Leicester 1st Baronet (age 46) was created 1st Baronet Leicester of Tabley in Cheshire. Elizabeth Gerard Lady Leicester by marriage Lady Leicester of Tabley in Cheshire.
On 11th August 1660 William wheler 1st Baronet 1611 1666 (age 49) was created 1st Baronet Wheler of the City of Westminster with a special remainder failing the heirs male of his body, "to Charles Wheeler (age 40) [rectius Wheler], cosin to the said Sir William and the heires males of the body of the said Sir Charles."
On 16th August 1660 Thomas Lee 1st Baronet (age 25) was created 1st Baronet Lee of Hartwell in Buckinghamshire.
On 16th August 1660 John Newton 1st Baronet (age 49) was created 1st Baronet Newton of Barrs Court.
On 16th August 1660 Thomas Smith 1st Baronet (age 38) was created 1st Baronet Smith of Hatherton in Cheshire.
On 31st August 1660 John Drake 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Drake of Ashe in Devon. Dionise Strode Lady Drake by marriage Lady Drake of Ashe in Devon.
On 6th August 1666 William Wheler 1st Baronet (age 55) died. He was buried at All Saints Church, Derby [Map]. His half first cousin Charles (age 46) succeeded 2nd Baronet Wheler of the City of Westminster. [his wife] Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 40) by marriage Lady Wheler of the City of Westminster.
In 1667 Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 47) was elected MP Cambridge University which seat he held until 1679.
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th September 1671. In the afternoon at Council, where letters were read from Sir Charles Wheeler (age 51), concerning his resigning his government of St. Christopher's.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th November 1671. To Council, where Sir Charles Wheeler (age 51), late Governor of the Leeward Islands, having been complained of for many indiscreet managements, it was resolved, on scanning many of the particulars, to advise his Majesty (age 41) to remove him; and consult what was to be done, to prevent these inconveniences he had brought things to. This business staid me in London almost a week, being in Council, or Committee, every morning till the 25th.
John Evelyn's Diary. 27th November 1671. We ordered that a proclamation should be presented to his Majesty (age 41) to sign, against what Sir Charles Wheeler (age 51) had done in St. Christopher's since the war, on the articles of peace at Breda. He was shortly afterward recalled.
On 5th February 1676 Thomas Trevor 1st Baronet (age 64) died. Baronet Trevor of Enfield in Middlesex extinct. His estates passed to Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 56), grandson of his father's sister [his grandmother] Mary aka Winifred Trevor.
On 1st June 1678 [his mother] Eleanor Polkston (age 85) died.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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On 12th October 1678 [his son] Major Trevor Wheler (age 25) died unmarried.
John Evelyn's Diary. 26th November 1679. I met the Earl of Clarendon with the rest of my fellow executors of the Will of my late Lady Viscountess Mordaunt, namely, Mr. Laurence Hyde (age 37), one of the Commissioners of the Treasury, and lately Plenipotentiary-Ambassador at Nimeguen; Andrew Newport (age 59); and Sir Charles Wheeler (age 59); to examine and audit and dispose of this year's account of the estate of this excellent Lady, according to the direction of her Will.
In 1683 Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet (age 63) died. He was buried at All Saints' Church, Leamington Hastings. His son William (age 29) succeeded 3rd Baronet Wheler of the City of Westminster.
On 8th September 1683 the will of Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet was proved. It contained a bequest:
"in gratitude to Mr. Warren, Apothecary, who did hospitably receive me into his house when I was in disgrace with the King (age 53), and when none of my relatives in blood did offer or show me the least kindness."
On 16th August 1684 [his former wife] Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler (age 58) died.
[his daughter] Dorothy Elizabeth Wheler was born to Charles Wheler 2nd Baronet and Dorothy Bindlosse Lady Wheler.
[his father] William Wheler of Martin Husingtree in Worcestershire and [his mother] Eleanor Polkston were married.
GrandFather: George Wheler of Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire
Father: William Wheler of Martin Husingtree in Worcestershire
GrandFather: Edward Polkston of Allington in Denbighshire
Mother: Eleanor Polkston
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Trevor of Trevalyn, Denbighshire 
GrandMother: Mary aka Winifred Trevor