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: Godolphin
On 16th May 1675 [his father] Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 29] and [his mother] Margaret Blagge [aged 22] were married.
John Evelyn's Diary. 3rd September 1678. I went to London, to dine with [his mother] Mrs. Godolphin [aged 26], and found her in labor; she was brought to bed of a son, who was baptized in the chamber, by the name of Francis, the susceptors being [his uncle] Sir William Godolphin [aged 38] (head of the family), Mr. John Hervey [aged 62], Treasurer to the Queen, and [his aunt] Mrs. Boscawen [aged 35], sister to Sir William and the father [aged 33].
On 3rd September 1678 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin was born to [his father] Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 33] and Margaret Blagge [aged 26] at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His mother died six days later.
On 9th September 1678 [his mother] Margaret Blagge [aged 26] died in childbirth at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She was buried at St Breage's Church, Breage.
John Evelyn's Diary. 16th October 1678. [his father] Mr. Godolphin [aged 33] requested me to continue the trust his [his mother] wife [deceased] had reposed in me, in behalf of his little son, conjuring me to transfer the friendship I had for his dear wife, on him and his.
Around 1680 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 1] educated at Eton College [Map].
On 31st August 1684 [his father] Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 39] was created 1st Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall.
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th August 1685. Came to visite us Mr. Boscawen [aged 57] with my Lord Godolphin's [aged 40] little son [aged 6], with whose education hither his father had intrusted me.
In March 1698 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 19] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 16] were married. She the daughter of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 47] and Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 37]. He the son of Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 52] and Margaret Blagge.
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th June 1698. I went to congratulate the marriage of Mr. Godolphin [aged 19] with the [his father-in-law] Earl of Marlborough's [aged 48] [his wife] daughter [aged 16].
Around 1700 [his son] Henry Godolphin was born to Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 21] and [his wife] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 18].
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In 1700 [his son] William Godolphin was born to Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 21] and [his wife] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 18]. He married 25th April 1729 Catherina de Jong Jong.
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th November 1700. There was a change of great officers at Court. Lord Godolphin [aged 22] returned to his former station of first Commissioner of the Treasury; Sir Charles Hedges [aged 50], Secretary of State.
Before 2nd December 1700 Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland [aged 25] and [his sister-in-law] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 50] and [his mother-in-law] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 40]. He the son of Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland [aged 59] and Anne Digby Countess Sunderland [aged 54].
In 1701 [his daughter] Henrietta Godolphin Duchess Newcastle under Lyne was born to Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 22] and [his wife] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 19]. She married 2nd April 1717 Thomas Pelham Holles 1st Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne, son of Thomas Pelham 1st Baron Pelham of Laughton and Grace Holles.
On 1st December 1701 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 23] was elected MP East Looe.
On 4th February 1702 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 23] was elected MP Helston.
On 28th September 1702 Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland [aged 61] died at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map]. His son Charles [aged 27] succeeded 3rd Earl of Sunderland, 5th Baron Spencer Wormleighton. [his sister-in-law] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland [aged 19] by marriage Countess of Sunderland.
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st December 1702. After the excess of honor conferred by the Queen [aged 37] on the [his father-in-law] Earl of Marlborough [aged 52], by making him a Knight of the Garter and a Duke, for the success of but one campaign, that he should desire £5,000 a year to be settled on him by Parliament out of the Post Office, was thought a bold and unadvised request, as he had, besides his own considerable estate, above £30,000 a year in places and employments, with £50,000 at interest. He had married one [his wife] daughter [aged 21] to the son [aged 24] of my Lord Treasurer Godolphin [aged 57], another [aged 19] to the Earl of Sunderland [aged 27], and a third [aged 15] to the Earl of Bridgewater [aged 21]. He is a very handsome person, well-spoken and affable, and supports his want of acquired knowledge by keeping good company.
Around 1703 [his daughter] Margaret Godolphin was born to Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 24] and [his wife] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 21].
On 9th February 1703 Scroop Egerton 1st Duke Bridgewater [aged 21] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Churchill Countess Bridgewater [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Bridgewater. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 52] and [his mother-in-law] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 42]. He the son of John Egerton 3rd Earl Bridgewater and Jane Paulet Countess Bridgewater [aged 47].
In 1705 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 26] was awarded Master of Arts at King's College, Cambridge University [Map].
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In 1705 John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu [aged 15] and [his sister-in-law] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu [aged 15] were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 54] and [his mother-in-law] Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough [aged 44]. He the son of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu [aged 66] and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland. They were third cousins.
In December 1706 [his father] Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 61] was created 1st Earl Godolphin, 1st Viscount Rialton.
In 1708 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 29] was elected MP Oxfordshire.
On 9th March 1709 Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu [aged 70] died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son John [aged 19] succeeded 2nd Duke Montagu, 4th Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. [his sister-in-law] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu [aged 19] by marriage Duchess Montagu.
In 1710 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 31] was elected MP Tregony.
On 15th September 1712 [his father] Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin [aged 67] died. His son Francis [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Earl Godolphin, 2nd Viscount Rialton, 2nd Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall. [his wife] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 31] by marriage Countess Godolphin.
On 22nd March 1714 [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Churchill Countess Bridgewater [aged 27] died. She was buried at St Peter and St Paul Church, Little Gaddesden on 29th March 1714.
On 15th April 1716 [his sister-in-law] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland [aged 33] died.
On 2nd April 1717 [his son-in-law] Thomas Pelham Holles 1st Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne [aged 23] and Henrietta Godolphin Duchess Newcastle under Lyne [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Duchess Newcastle under Lyme. She the daughter of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 38] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 35].
On 16th June 1722 [his father-in-law] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough [aged 72] died at Cranbourne Lodge, Windsor. His daughter [his wife] Henrietta [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Duchess Marlborough, 2nd Marchioness of Blandford, 2nd Countess of Marlborough, 2nd Baroness Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire. Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 43] by marriage Duke Marlborough.
On 26th May 1723 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 44] was appointed Privy Council.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Around 1725 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson [aged 57]. Portrait of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 46].
On 25th April 1729 William Godolphin [aged 29] and Catherina de Jong Jong were married. He the son of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 50] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 47].
1730. Joseph Highmore [aged 37]. Portrait of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 51].
On 24th August 1731 [his son] William Godolphin [aged 31] died at Balliol College, Oxford University.
On 18th April 1733 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 54] was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
On 24th October 1733 [his wife] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough [aged 52] died. Her nephew Charles [aged 26] succeeded 3rd Duke Marlborough, 3rd Marquess of Blandford, 3rd Earl of Marlborough, 3rd Baron Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth Trevor Duchess of Marlborough [aged 20] by marriage Duchess Marlborough.
On 23rd January 1735 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 56] was created 1st Baron Godolphin of Helston in Cornwall with a special remainder to heirs male of his uncle Henry Godolphin.
On 14th May 1735 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 56] was appointed Lord Privy Seal.
On 26th June 1740 [his son-in-law] Thomas Osborne 4th Duke Leeds [aged 26] and Mary Godolphin Duchess Leeds were married. She by marriage Duchess Leeds. She the daughter of Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 61] and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough. He the son of Peregrine Osborne 3rd Duke Leeds and Elizabeth Harley.
In 1764 [his daughter] Mary Godolphin Duchess Leeds died.
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 17th January 1766 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 87] died. Earl Godolphin, Viscount Rialton, Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall extinct. His first cousin Francis [aged 59] succeeded 2nd Baron Godolphin of Helston in Cornwall.
[his daughter] Mary Godolphin Duchess Leeds was born to Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin and Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough. She married 26th June 1740 Thomas Osborne 4th Duke Leeds, son of Peregrine Osborne 3rd Duke Leeds and Elizabeth Harley, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 25 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 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Godolphin 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Godolphin
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Godolphin
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Godolphin
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Killigrew 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Killigrew
GrandFather: Francis Godolphin
Father: Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coningsby
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Berkeley 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Blount 4th Baron Mountjoy 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Blount 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Keble Baroness Mountjoy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Berkeley of Bruton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Lygon 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Lygon 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Greville 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Lygon 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Denys
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Denys 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Berkeley 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Dorothy Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Neville 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Neville 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Windsor Baroness Scrope Masham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Neville of Billingbear 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Gresham 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances aka Elizabeth Gresham
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Thwaytes
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Neville 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Killigrew
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Killigrew
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Killigrew 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Cooke
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Cooke 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Fitzwilliam 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Thomas Blagge
Mother: Margaret Blagge
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry North of Mildenhall, Suffolk
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger North of Mildenhall
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Knevit
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Knevit
GrandMother: Mary North
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Gilbert of Great Finborow, Suffolk
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gilbert