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: Bingham
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Meynell
On 23rd April 1789 [his step-father] Bernard Howard 12th Duke of Norfolk [aged 23] and [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 19] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Henry Belasyse 2nd Earl Fauconberg [aged 47] and [his grandmother] Charlotte Lamb Countess Fauconberg [aged 46].
On 26th May 1794 [his father] Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan [aged 29] and [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 24] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Henry Belasyse 2nd Earl Fauconberg [aged 52] and [his grandmother] Charlotte Lamb Countess Fauconberg. He the son of Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan [aged 58] and Margaret Smith Countess Lucan [aged 54].
On 16th April 1800 George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan was born to [his father] Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan [aged 35] and [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 30].
Before 1815 [his half-brother] Henry Charles Howard 13th Duke of Norfolk [aged 23] and [his sister-in-law] Charlotte Sophia Leveson-Gower Duchess Norfolk [aged 26] were married. She the daughter of George Granville Leveson-Gower 1st Duke Sutherland [aged 56] and Elizabeth Sutherland Duchess Sutherland 19th Countess Sutherland [aged 49]. He the son of [his step-father] Bernard Howard 12th Duke of Norfolk [aged 49] and [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 44].
On 16th December 1815 Charles Howard 11th Duke of Norfolk [aged 69] died. His third cousin [his step-father] Bernard [aged 50] succeeded 12th Duke Norfolk, 23rd or 30th Earl Arundel, 13th Earl Surrey, 10th Earl Norfolk, 20th Baron Maltravers, 20th Baron Arundel. [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 45] by marriage Duchess Norfolk.
On 22nd August 1817 [his brother-in-law] Francis Charles Charteris 9th Earl of Wemyss [aged 21] and [his sister] Louisa Bingham Countess Wemyss [aged 19] were married in Paris [Map]. She the daughter of [his father] Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan [aged 52] and [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 47]. He the son of Francis Charteris 8th Earl of Wemyss Douglas 4th Earl March [aged 45].
In 1819 [his mother] Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 49] died.
On 29th June 1829 George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 29] and Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of Robert Brudenell 6th Earl Cardigan [aged 60] and Penelope Cooke Countess Cardigan. He the son of Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan [aged 64] and Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk.
On 8th May 1830 [his son] Charles George Bingham 4th Earl Lucan was born to George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 30] and [his wife] Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 20]. He married before 13th December 1860 his fourth cousin once removed Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox Countess Lucan, daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox 5th Duke Richmond and Caroline Paget Duchess Richmond, and had issue.
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 7th February 1832 [his daughter] Augusta Bingham Baroness Alington was born to George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 31] and [his wife] Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 22]. She married 10th September 1853 her first cousin Henry Gerard Sturt 1st Baron Alington and had issue.
Around 1836 [his daughter] Lavinia Bingham Viscountess Hardinge was born to George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 35] and [his wife] Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 26]. She married 10th April 1856 Charles Stewart Hardinge 2nd Viscount Hardinge, son of Henry Hardinge 1st Viscount Hardinge and Emily Jane Stewart Viscountess Hardinge, and had issue.
On 30th June 1839 [his father] Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan [aged 74] died at Serpentine Terrace, Knightsbridge. His son George [aged 39] succeeded 3rd Earl Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo, 3rd Baron Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo, 9th Baronet Bingham of Castlebar in County Mayo. [his wife] Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 30] by marriage Countess Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo.
On 16th March 1842 [his step-father] Bernard Howard 12th Duke of Norfolk [aged 76] died. He was buried at Fitzalan Chapel, Arundel Castle [Map]. His son [his half-brother] Henry [aged 50] succeeded 13th Duke Norfolk, 24th or 31st Earl Arundel, 14th Earl Surrey, 11th Earl Norfolk, 21st Baron Maltravers, 21st Baron Arundel. [his sister-in-law] Charlotte Sophia Leveson-Gower Duchess Norfolk [aged 54] by marriage Duchess Norfolk.
On 6th January 1847 [his son] Richard Bingham was born to George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 46] and [his wife] Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 37]. He married 26th September 1877 Mary Elizabeth Cole.
On 28th June 1853 Francis Charteris 8th Earl of Wemyss Douglas 4th Earl March [aged 81] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Francis [aged 56] succeeded 9th Earl Wemyss, 2nd Baron Wemyss of Wemyss in Fife. [his sister] Louisa Bingham Countess Wemyss [aged 55] by marriage Countess Wemyss.
His obituary in the Gentleman's Magazine by Sylvanus Urban Volume XL reads as follows:
THE EARL OF WEMYSS AND MARCH June 28 At Gosford House East Lothian in his 81st year the Right Hon Francis Wemyss Charteris Wemyss sixth Earl of Wemyss and Lord Elcho and Methel 1633 Baron Wemyss of Elcho 1628 Earl of March Viscount of Peebles and Lord Niedpath, Lyne and Munard 1697 all dignities in the peerage of Scotland Baron Wemyss of Wemyss co Fife 1821 and Lord Lieutenant of Peebleshire.
He was born on the 15th April 1772 the only son of Francis Lord Elcho son and heir apparent of the fifth Earl by Miss Susan Tracy Keck one of the Maids of Honour to Queen Charlotte the second daughter of Anthony Tracy Keck esq of Great Tew co Oxford by Lady Susan Hamilton fourth daughter of James fourth Duke of Hamilton and first Duke of Brandon KG and KT.
In early life his lordship had a commission in the army and from 1793 to 1797 was aide de camp to his grand uncle Lord Adam Gordon Commander in chief of the forces in Scotland He quitted the army in 1797.
His father Lord Elcho died on the 20th June 1808 and his grandfather on the 24th August following whereupon he succeeded to the Earldom of Wemyss and its attendant titles. On the death of William fourth Duke of Queensberry [aged 83] in Dec 1810 he inherited the barony of Niedpath and the extensive property which had belonged to his Grace in the county of Peebles in pursuance of the terms of the marriage contract of the first Earl of March his Grace's grandfather. He also succeeded to the dignities of Earl of March, Viscount of Peebles and Lord Douglas of Niedpath, Lyne and Munard the patent of creation being to Lord William Douglas et heredes masculos de ejus corpore quibus deficientibus alios ejus hæredes masin culos et talliæ contentos in ejus infeofa mentis terrarum et dominii de Niedpath.
His Lordship was created a peer of the united kingdom by the title of Baron Wemyss at the Coronation of King George IV by patent dated 17th July 1821. He supported the Conservative party in parliament but took but little interest in politics.
He married May 31 1794 Margaret [aged 16] fourth daughter of Walter Campbell esq of Shawfield [aged 54] by his first wife Eleanor daughter of Robert Kerr of Newfield eldest son of Lord Charles Kerr second son of Robert first Marquess of Lothian. By that lady who died in 1850 he had issue two sons and nine daughters 1 Francis his successor 2 Lady Eleanor [aged 1] married in 1820 to Walter Frederick Campbell of Woodhall co Lanark esq eldest son of Colonel John Campbell [aged 26] by Lady Charlotte [aged 21] daughter of John fifth Duke of Argyle [aged 73] and died in 1832 3 the Hon Walter died 1818 4 Susan who died in infancy 5 Lady Margaret married in 1824 to Lieut Colonel John Wildman and died in 1825 6 Lady Katharine married in 1824 to her cousin George Harry Lord Grey of Groby who died in 1835 and she died in 1844 leaving issue the present Earl of Stamford and Warrington and Lady Margaret Milbanke 7 Lady Charlotte [aged 1] married in 1825 to Andrew Fletcher esq of Salton Castle East Lothian 8 Lady Louisa Antoinetta [aged 1] married in 1832 to William Forbes esq of Callendar co Stirling late MP for Stirlingshire 9 Lady Harriet [aged 1] married in 1829 to Sir George Grant Suttie Bart 10 Lady Jane and 11 Lady Caroline. The present Earls in 1796 married in 1817 Lady Louisa Bingham fourth daughter of Richard 2d Earl Lucan [aged 31] by whom he has issue Francis Lord Elcho four other sons and daughters.
On 10th September 1853 [his son-in-law] Henry Gerard Sturt 1st Baron Alington [aged 28] and Augusta Bingham Baroness Alington [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 53] and Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 44]. They were first cousins.
On 25th October 1854 during the Battle of Balaclava George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 54] gave the order for the Charge of the Light Brigade which was then led by his brother-in-law James Brudenell 7th Earl Cardigan [aged 57].
Hedworth Jolliffe 2nd Baron Hylton [aged 25] took part.
Godfrey Morgan 1st Viscount Tredegar [aged 23] was in command of a section of the Light Brigade. His horse "Sir Briggs" survived, died aged twenty-eight and was buried in the Cedar Garden at Tredegar House, Monmouthshire where there is a monument to him.
Thomas Hutton took part. He was shot through the right thigh during the advance, and on returning from the guns he was again severely wounded through the left thigh.
George Orby Wombwell 4th Baronet [aged 21] took part and survived. His horse was killed under him and he was shortly after pulled off and taken prisoner, his sword and pistols being taken from him by some Russian Lancers. He managed to escape, catch another loose horse and ride back to the British lines, pursued by Russians.
Fiennes Wykeham-Martin Cornwallis [aged 22] took part.
Around 1856. Francis Grant [aged 52]. Portrait of George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 55].
On 18th February 1856 [his half-brother] Henry Charles Howard 13th Duke of Norfolk [aged 64] died. His son [his nephew] Henry [aged 41] succeeded 14th Duke Norfolk, 25th or 32nd Earl Arundel, 15th Earl Surrey, 12th Earl Norfolk, 22nd Baron Maltravers, 22nd Baron Arundel.
On 10th April 1856 [his son-in-law] Charles Stewart Hardinge 2nd Viscount Hardinge [aged 33] and Lavinia Bingham Viscountess Hardinge [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 55] and Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 46].
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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Before 13th December 1860 Charles George Bingham 4th Earl Lucan [aged 30] and Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox Countess Lucan [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of Charles Gordon-Lennox 5th Duke Richmond and Caroline Paget Duchess Richmond [aged 64]. He the son of George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 60] and Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 51]. They were fourth cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 15th September 1864 [his daughter] Lavinia Bingham Viscountess Hardinge [aged 28] died.
On 26th September 1877 Richard Bingham [aged 30] and Mary Elizabeth Cole were married. He the son of George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 77] and Anne Brudenell Countess Lucan [aged 68].
On 16th April 1882 [his sister] Louisa Bingham Countess Wemyss [aged 84] died.
On 3rd July 1888 [his daughter] Augusta Bingham Baroness Alington [aged 56] died.
On 10th November 1888 George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan [aged 88] died at 13 South Street Park Lane. His son Charles [aged 58] succeeded 4th Earl Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo, 4th Baron Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo, 10th Baronet Bingham of Castlebar in County Mayo. Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox Countess Lucan [aged 50] by marriage Countess Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 27 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 22 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 30 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Bingham 1st Baronet 
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Bingham 2nd Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Bingham 4th Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Myddelton 2nd Baronet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Rebecca Myddelton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Harries aka Harris
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Bingham 5th Baronet
GrandFather: Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rector Thomas Vesey
Great x 3 Grandfather: Archbishop John Vesey
Great x 2 Grandfather: Agmondisham Vesey
Great x 4 Grandfather: Colonel Agmondisham Muschamp
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Muschamp
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Vesey Lady Bingham
Father: Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Smith of Canon's Leigh in Devon
GrandMother: Margaret Smith Countess Lucan
George Charles Bingham 3rd Earl Lucan 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Belasyse 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Rowland Belasyse 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Barton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Belasyse 3rd Viscount Fauconberg 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Gage 2nd Baronet 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Gage 4th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Chamberlain Lady Gage and Goring
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bridget Gage Viscountess Fauconberg 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Middlemore
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Middlemore
GrandFather: Henry Belasyse 2nd Earl Fauconberg 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Matthew Lamb of Southwell in Nottinghamshire
Great x 1 Grandfather: Matthew Lamb 1st Baronet
GrandMother: Charlotte Lamb Countess Fauconberg
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Coke
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Coke
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Coke
Great x 1 Grandmother: Charlotte Coke
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Hale of King's Walden
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Hale
Great x 4 Grandfather: Isaac Meynell of Meynell Langley, Derbyshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Meynell