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.
Paternal Family Tree: Pellew
On 17th May 1752 [his father] Samuel Pellew [aged 40] and [his mother] Constantia Langford [aged 23] were married at St Maddern's Church, Madron [Map]. They had 4 sons and 2 daughters.
On 19th March 1757 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth was born to [his father] Samuel Pellew [aged 45] and [his mother] Constantia Langford [aged 28].
In 1764 [his father] Samuel Pellew [aged 52] died.
On 30th April 1768 [his step-father] Samuel Woodis [aged 31] and [his mother] Constantia Langford [aged 39] were married at St Maddern's Church, Madron [Map].
On 28th May 1783 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 26] and Susan Frowde Viscountess Exmouth [aged 27] were married.
On 1st July 1786 [his son] Pownoll Bastard Pellew 2nd Viscount Exmouth was born to Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 29] and [his wife] Susan Frowde Viscountess Exmouth [aged 30]. He married (1) 1st October 1808 Eliza Harriet Barlow, daughter of George Hilaro Barlow 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Smith, and had issue (2) 15th April 1822 Georgiana Janet Dick Viscountess Pellew and had issue.
On 3rd April 1793 [his son] George Pellew was born to Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 36] and [his wife] Susan Frowde Viscountess Exmouth [aged 37]. He married 20th June 1820 Frances Addington, daughter of Henry Addington 1st Viscount Sidmouth, and had issue.
On 18th March 1796 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 38] was created 1st Baronet Pellew of Treverry in Cornwall. He had saved the lives of almost four hundred troops, and passengers, by swimming out to the wrecked East Indiaman Dutton with a lifeline that saved almost all aboard. [his wife] Susan Frowde [aged 40] by marriage Lady Pellew of Treverry in Cornwall.
In 1799 [his son] Edward Pellew was born to Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 41] and [his wife] Susan Frowde Viscountess Exmouth [aged 43].
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1804. James Northcote [aged 57]. Portrait of Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 46].
On 1st October 1808 Pownoll Bastard Pellew 2nd Viscount Exmouth [aged 22] and Eliza Harriet Barlow were married. They had two sons and one daughter.
Before 10th February 1812 [his mother] Constantia Langford [aged 83] died. She was buried at St Peter's Church, Freshford.
In 1814 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 56] was created 1st Baron Exmouth of Canonteign. [his wife] Susan Frowde [aged 58] by marriage Baroness Exmouth of Canonteign.
On 10th December 1816 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 59] was created 1st Viscount Exmouth. [his wife] Susan Frowde [aged 60] by marriage Viscountess Exmouth.
In 1820 [his son] Pownoll Bastard Pellew 2nd Viscount Exmouth [aged 33] and [his daughter-in-law] Eliza Harriet Barlow were divorced.
On 20th June 1820 [his son] George Pellew [aged 27] and [his daughter-in-law] Frances Addington [aged 27] were married.
On 15th April 1822 [his son] Pownoll Bastard Pellew 2nd Viscount Exmouth [aged 35] and [his daughter-in-law] Georgiana Janet Dick Viscountess Pellew [aged 22] were married.
On 23rd January 1833 Edward Pellew 1st Viscount Exmouth [aged 75] died. He was buried at St James the Apostle Church, Christow. His son Pownoll [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Viscount Exmouth, 2nd Baron Exmouth of Canonteign, 2nd Baronet Pellew of Treverry in Cornwall. He died in December of the same year. Georgiana Janet Dick Viscountess Pellew [aged 33] by marriage Viscountess Exmouth.
In 1837 [his former wife] Susan Frowde Viscountess Exmouth [aged 81] died.