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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Biography of Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden 1582-1643

Paternal Family Tree: Noel

Maternal Family Tree: Anne Pakenham 1485-1544

In 1582 Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden was born to [his father] Andrew Noel [aged 24] and [his mother] Mabel Harrington at Brooke, Leicestershire.

Around 1605 [his daughter] Elizabeth Noel Viscountess Chaworth was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 23] and [his future wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 18]. She married before 1632 John Chaworth 2nd Viscount Chaworth, son of George Chaworth 1st Viscount Chaworth, and had issue.

On 20th December 1605 Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 23] and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 19] were married.

On 19th October 1607 [his father] Andrew Noel [aged 49] died at Brooke, Leicestershire.

On 20th April 1609 [his daughter] Mary Noel was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 27] and [his wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 22]. She married before 1633 Erasmus de la Fontaine and had issue.

On 22nd August 1610 [his daughter] Penelope Noel was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 28] and [his wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 24].

In 1611 [his son] Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 29] and [his wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 24] at Exton Hall, Rutlandshire. He married (1) 25th December 1632 Anne Feilding, daughter of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (2) June 1636 Ann Lovett Countess Bath (3) 21st December 1639 Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden, daughter of Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton, and had issue (4) 6th July 1655 his second cousin twice removed Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden, daughter of Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey and Martha Cockayne Countess Holderness, and had issue.

On 30th August 1615 [his son] Henry Noel was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 33] and [his wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 29] at Exton Hall, Rutlandshire. He married (1) 20th November 1637 Susanna Howland (2) 8th November 1642 Mary Perry Lady Fermor.

On 5th May 1628 [his father-in-law] Baptist Hicks 1st Viscount Campden [aged 71] was created 1st Viscount Campden, 1st Baron Hicks of Ilmington in Warwickshire with a special remainder, failing his issue male, to his daughter [his wife] Juliana's [aged 41] husband Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 46]. [his mother-in-law] Elizabeth May Viscountess Campden [aged 66] by marriage Viscountess Campden.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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On 18th October 1629 [his father-in-law] Baptist Hicks 1st Viscount Campden [aged 72] died. His son-in-law Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 47] succeeded 2nd Viscount Campden, 2nd Baron Hicks of Ilmington in Warwickshire. Baronet Hicks of Campden in Gloucestershire extinct. [his wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 43] by marriage Viscountess Campden.

Before 1632 [his son-in-law] John Chaworth 2nd Viscount Chaworth [aged 26] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Noel Viscountess Chaworth [aged 26] were married. She by marriage Viscountess Chaworth in County Armagh.

On 25th December 1632 [his son] Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden [aged 21] and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Feilding were married. She the daughter of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 45] and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 49].

Before 1633 [his son-in-law] Erasmus de la Fontaine [aged 31] and [his daughter] Mary Noel [aged 23] were married.

On 17th May 1633 [his daughter] Penelope Noel [aged 22] died of blood poisoning after having pricked herself with a needle whilst sewing with silk thread. Monument in St James' Church, Chipping Campden [Map]. Sculpted by John Christmas [aged 34] or possibly his brother Mathias. The material held in her left hand may represent the material she was sewing

"The most exquisite model of natures best workmanship, ye richest magazine of all divine and moral vertues, Penelope Noel having added to the nobilitie of her birth, a brighter shyne of true noblesnesse, ye exemplary sweetness of her conversation, he contempt of earthly vanities and her zealous affection towards heaven, after 22 yeares devotions, commended her virgin sowle into ye hands of its true brydegroome Jesus Christ, May 17th AD 1633 over whose pretious dust here reserved, her sad parents Edward Lord Noel, Viscount Campden and the Lady Julian his wife, dropt theyr teares and erected this marble to the deare memorie of theyre unvaluable losse - Superata tellus Sidera donat i.e. The earth, once conquered, grants the stars."

Penelope Noel: On 22nd August 1610 she was born to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden and Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden.

Around June 1636 [his son] Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden [aged 25] and [his daughter-in-law] Ann Lovett Countess Bath [aged 19] were married.

On 20th November 1637 [his son] Henry Noel [aged 22] and [his daughter-in-law] Susanna Howland [aged 16] were married at St Giles' in the Fields Church [Map].

In 1638 [his daughter] Elizabeth Noel Viscountess Chaworth [aged 33] died.

On 21st December 1639 [his son] Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden [aged 28] and [his daughter-in-law] Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden [aged 24] were married.

On 8th November 1642 [his son] Henry Noel [aged 27] and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Perry Lady Fermor were married at St Mary le Strand Church.

On 8th March 1643 Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [aged 61] died. His son Baptist [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Viscount Campden, 3rd Baron Hicks of Ilmington in Warwickshire. Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden [aged 28] by marriage Viscountess Campden.

After 8th March 1643. Monument to Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden [deceased] and [his former wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 56] at St James' Church, Chipping Campden [Map]. Sculpted by Joshua Marshall [aged 14] in 1664. A striking and macabre work with standing effigies at the doors of Heaven.

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 26th November 1680 [his former wife] Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden [aged 94] died.

[his father] Andrew Noel and [his mother] Mabel Harrington were married.

Royal Ancestors of Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden 1582-1643

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd

Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden 1582-1643
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [2]

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [1]

Ancestors of Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden 1582-1643

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Noel

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Noel

Great x 1 Grandfather: James Noel

GrandFather: Andrew Noel

Father: Andrew Noel

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Hopton

GrandMother: Elizabeth Hopton

Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Culpepper

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harrington

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington

GrandFather: James Harrington

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton

Mother: Mabel Harrington

Great x 3 Grandfather: William IV Sidney

Great x 2 Grandfather: Nicholas Sidney

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sidney

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Brandon

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brandon

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ada Calthorpe

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Brandon

GrandMother: Lucy Sidney

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Pakenham

Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Pakenham

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham